Renault Scenic long-term test

The car Renault Scenic Long Range Iconic Run by Allan Muir, managing editor

Why we’re running it To find out whether the Scenic is a better family-sized electric SUV than the likes of the Tesla Model Y

Needs to Deliver all the comfort and practicality expected of a family SUV, while being as easy to live with as an electric vehicle with such a long official range should be

Mileage 5435 List price £45,495 Target Price £42,028 Price as tested £46,795 Dealer price now £36,200 Private price now £32,180 Test range 265-290 miles Official range 369 miles 

15 April 2025 – The car that created a new Renault fan

Who remembers the Renault Avantime? It beggars belief that anyone thought an Espace-based three-door MPV coupé would be a good idea, yet around 8500 of them were made for a couple of years in the early 2000s. And what about the lofty Renault Vel Satis executive hatchback? Another answer to a question almost no one was asking. 

However, we shouldn't forget that the French brand has also made some outstanding cars over the years, including the original Renault 5 (R5), the Renault Clio small hatchback and a long line of Clio and Megane hot hatches. In fact, the Clio still reigns supreme in the small car category to this day. For one of the richest veins of consistently strong form, though, you need to look to Renault’s current electric models.

The reinvented, electric-only Megane got the ball rolling smoothly in 2022, while the reborn R5 proved so impressive that we named it our 2025 Car of the Year. Much as I adore that car, though, the model that has finally succeeded in turning me into a Renault fanboy is the Scenic electric SUV that I’ve been running as a company car. 

My experience with the Scenic was so overwhelmingly positive that I might as well start with the things that I didn’t like so much about it. Really, my only issue was with the brakes. While the adjustable regenerative braking system (for harvesting energy under deceleration) gave me smooth, easy control over the car’s speed via the accelerator pedal when rolling along, it wouldn’t bring the car to a complete halt – and the brake pedal typically felt spongy and inconsistent when pressed. The two sides of the braking system didn’t seem all that well integrated, especially in the period immediately after the battery had been fully charged.

While this didn’t make stopping any easier, nor was it a big deal. And the Scenic was still very pleasant to drive, benefiting from a supple ride and quick, well-weighted steering that made it feel relatively light and agile through corners. With a driving position that felt just right for me (although it might not suit everyone) and plush, supportive seats, the Scenic also made a fine long-distance cruiser – helped considerably by a generous real-world range.

Although I ran my car during the coldest months of the year, it was still able to cover 265 to 290 miles between top-ups; that’s very respectable under the circumstances. What’s more, we know from our most recent summer range test that the Scenic, in Long Range form like my car, can cover at least 320 miles in warmer conditions. There was an occasional hint of flakiness when it came to charging – stopping soon after starting, for example – but I never found myself caught short.

While I didn’t have any choice about the colour or materials used inside my range-topping Iconic-spec car, I found the mixture of grey fabrics and plastics very agreeable, and it helped to make the interior feel light and airy. This was no illusion; despite its relatively compact external proportions, the Scenic impressed for the amount of interior space it offered, especially in the rear seats, which were easy to access through extra-wide door openings. The Scenic isn’t the loftiest of SUVs, though; I had to take care not to bump my head on the roof when getting behind the wheel.

Still, I loved the user-friendliness of the dashboard layout, with its well-judged blend of physical and touchscreen-based controls. The ‘Perso’ button that allowed me to select all of my preferred driver aid settings in one hit was particularly useful. As for the infotainment system, I much preferred the portrait orientation of the Scenic’s touchscreen to any of the landscape ones I’ve used before, and the screen itself was ultra-responsive and mostly easy to use. I never managed to get the MyRenault phone app to connect with my car, though.

Considering how well rounded the Scenic turned out to be, I’d say it was exceptionally good value for money. It’s a shame that none of the Long Range versions can be had for less than £40,000 (which would avoid the 'expensive car’ road tax supplement that now applies to all cars costing more than that, including electric cars), but the Scenic is still very well priced by family electric SUV standards, as a private cash buy or on PCP finance.

Yes, I gather the rival Skoda Elroq offers even better value; I haven’t driven that car, but it doesn’t appeal to me as much as the Scenic does. In fact, right now, I can’t think of another electric family SUV that I’d rather have than Renault’s fine contender. Perhaps with a yellow R5 parked alongside it.

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