FIRST DRIVE - RENAULT SCENIC E-TECH - CAR OF THE YEAR 2024

EV Channels Review

The Renault Scenic E-Tech, crowned Car of the Year 2024, presents a compelling package with its innovative features and impressive practicality. The reviewer highlights the car's striking exterior styling, particularly the front-end design and aerodynamic touches like the removable aero blades which contribute to its class-leading range. Inside, the cabin is praised for its spaciousness, excellent material quality, and clever features such as the 'Solar Bay' roof (exclusive to the top trim) and the versatile folding central seat with integrated tablet/phone holders. The infotainment system, heavily integrated with Google, is lauded for its intuitive navigation and route planning, including battery preconditioning. While the reviewer notes the car's performance is more than adequate for family duties, offering a sporty feel in 'Sport' mode, the real standout is its efficiency and range, with over 370 miles WLTP and a realistic expectation of over 300 miles in real-world conditions. The reviewer found little to dislike, praising the comfortable ride, sharp steering, and the ease of customizing safety systems via a single button. The main drawback mentioned is the high price point for the top-spec model, though the overall value proposition is considered competitive within its segment.