Renault’s award-winning Scenic E-Tech has outdone itself and won the European Car of the Year 2024 award.
This week, the all-electric crossover, which aims to make EVs “mainstream” for families, added another award to its trophy case, taking first place in the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards as well as the title of Best Midsize SUV.
And consumer magazine WhatCar? says it’s better than a competing Tesla Model Y. But does it live up to the hype? I’ve been driving one to find out.
I first encountered the new Scenic at its world launch in Munich last September, in the presence of legendary French composer Jean-Michel Jarre, who helped create the signature sound of electric cars.
“It’s quite a challenge to start from a blank canvas and create a sound for a car that would otherwise be completely silent,” he told me.
At the top: the award-winning Renault Scenic E-Tech has outdone itself
The fifth-generation, five-seat Scenic is a far cry from the original all-rounder that caused a sensation in 1996 and also won the European Car of the Year award, but it does share its pioneering and practical spirit, cleverly revamped for the 21st century.
This sleek crossover features a contemporary look, laser-cut wood doors, soft premium fabrics made from recycled materials, and limousine-like levels of space in the rear with tinted windows.
Light streams in through a panoramic glass roof that can be turned opaque or transparent as needed. The instrument panel, covered in fabric, has a 12-inch multimedia screen and a 12.3-inch driver’s display.
Outward-swinging door handles add a practical touch and the high boot has an extra underfloor compartment (up from 545 litres to 1,449 litres with the seats folded). Prices start from £37,495 for the 170bhp Scenic comfort range. But I drove the more powerful 220bhp Long Range version in top Iconic trim that cost £46,745 (including £1,250 for the midnight blue metallic paint) with a range of 269 miles.
With 20-inch wheels and an 87 kWh battery, there are four driving modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport and ‘Perso’ for customised settings.
The cloth-covered instrument panel has a 12-inch multimedia screen and a 12.3-inch driver display.
The vehicle is equipped with 20-inch wheels and an 87 kWh battery and has four driving modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport and ‘Perso’ for personalized settings.
Comfort mode is suited to city driving, but I preferred Sport mode for more active driving, with 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds. The paddle shifter offers four levels of regenerative braking and allows for one-pedal driving to save on brakes.
The fifth-generation five-seat Scenic is a far cry from the original all-rounder that caused a stir in 1996.
Light streams in from a panoramic glass roof that becomes opaque or transparent as needed.
The fold-out door handles add a practical touch and the tall boot has an additional compartment under the floor (from 545 litres to 1,449 litres with seats folded).
The voice-controlled satellite navigation system got me safely to Heathrow Airport and there are numerous safety and driver assistance features such as massaging driver seats, hands-free parking, blind spot recognition and a Harman Kardon stereo.
I had a technical problem when the car was “downloading” new software. What did I do? Turn it on and off again, just like my laptop. But overall, everything was fine.
Alonso debuts his £2m Aston Martin
Aston Martin has unveiled the new limited edition Valiant, a F1-derived supercar that reaches 200 mph and is priced at £2 million.
Described as a track-focused yet road-legal vehicle, the British two-seater has been called “the champion of pure driving passion”, powered by a 745bhp 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine.
‘Champion of pure driving passion’: First customer, Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso, to test drive supercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Only 38 units have been built so far: all have been sold.
The first customer, Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso, who ordered the Valiant, will test the supercar at the four-day Goodwood Festival of Speed next week.
Expect to go from zero to 60 mph in about 3 seconds.