Legends Never Die, They Just Transform: Renault Scenic
Renault Scenic, which has been with us since 1996, is undergoing a transformation in its 5th generation, taking on the form of a crossover model. Shh, Renault doesn’t want it to be called a crossover, even though the model has a crossover heritage, with the 1st generation Scenic RX4 being one of the early examples. However, in the 4th generation, they seem to have avoided the typical crossover look. But Scenic has changed a lot; now it’s an electric vehicle. Moreover, it presents a departure from the traditional feminine French design, adorned with eco-friendly materials.
The Scenic adopts the same design language as the recently introduced Renault Rafale on its front end. While its sibling, the Megane E-Tech, features conventional Renault headlights with a C-shaped design, the Scenic comes with slim and flat LED matrix headlights. The vertical daytime running lights, the retro Renault logo, the stylish faux front grille, and the large black surfaces surrounding the actual grille contribute to the Scenic’s elegant appearance. Despite having the appearance of a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle, you don’t feel like something is missing, as seen in Tesla models, when looking at the front of the car. The muscular hood extending prominently to the front of the car allows for a better perception of the vehicle’s dimensions, especially during parking.
The wheels seem familiar, don’t they? Aren’t these the same wheels used in the Peugeot 408? When viewed from the front and side profile, it resembles another vehicle, perhaps the DS 7? Oh, that’s also a French car. It’s quite normal for cars to share similarities. Thanks to the shorter front and rear bumper lengths relative to its size, the Scenic has a long wheelbase of 2785 mm. Although it has a 19 mm shorter wheelbase than the previous Scenic, the new Scenic measures 4470 mm, making it 164 mm shorter than its predecessor. In an automotive industry where cars tend to grow continuously in size, downsizing like this requires some courage. The black roof, the chrome strip extending from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, flush door handles, and the chrome strip designed under the door, which would probably be designed only by a French brand, all contribute to its distinctive appearance. I really appreciate French cars for producing vehicles with unique designs for each generation.
The rear design of the Scenic, inspired by the Renault Rafale, has a full SUV appearance due to the absence of a coupe-like form, unlike the Rafale. The large LED taillights, aerodynamically designed long spoiler, and wind deflectors contribute to a clean and elegant rear design for the Scenic. It’s better this way, as having a rear design as bold as the front would overshadow the overall aesthetics of the vehicle. Another reason for not having a design as ambitious as Peugeot or DS at the rear may be the brand positioning of Renault.
The interior design of the Scenic is unique, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12-inch vertically oriented touchscreen placed on an L-shaped panel. The vertical placement of the driver’s ventilation controls, which separates the two screens, is an interesting detail. The 2-spoke steering wheel with touch controls has its upper and lower sections flattened at different angles, and the front passenger ventilation vents are oriented horizontally. Below the touchscreen, there is a row of physical shortcut buttons and a wireless charging station. The attention-grabbing “Relax” feature offers massage functionality for the seats.
As always, the Scenic presents innovative solutions in its interior, offering various storage areas in the two-tiered center console. The rear armrest features wireless charging, two cup holders, and a rotating phone-tablet holder. The total interior storage volume is specified as 38.7 liters. The sporty-designed seat headrests are attention-grabbing, and the interior is crafted from materials that are leather-free and made from 100% recycled materials, providing comfort to passengers. The segmented or fully blackable panoramic glass roof, a first-time feature among mainstream manufacturers, eliminates the need for curtains and contributes to a comfortable atmosphere with an additional 3 cm of headroom.
While Renault emphasizes that the Scenic is designed as the family’s first car, the reduction in the luggage capacity from 718 liters in the old Scenic to 545 liters in the new generation turns this into a disadvantage. The Scenic used to be a vehicle that could comfortably accommodate five people for a long vacation. However, with the updated model, the reduced cargo space may necessitate leaving one person out of the equation or carrying fewer belongings. On the bright side, the Scenic offers an impressive range of 620 kilometers with the long-range battery option, making it suitable for long journeys. With an independent rear suspension, it boasts the smallest turning radius in its class and is also the least inclined car laterally. The Scenic will provide two battery options with capacities of 60 kWh and 87 kWh, offering 6% more energy density than the Megane E-Tech. It is equipped with a 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging capacity.
Renault plans to offer the Scenic with two motor options, producing engines and batteries from more environmentally friendly materials, with power outputs of 160 and 220 horsepower. With its transition to electric power, the Scenic will feature a sound developed by Jean-Michel Jarre to alert those around it. The vehicle will also offer multimedia features such as Google voice assistant, navigation system with charge planning, online software updates, news, and music quizzes. Additionally, it will include 30 different safety assistants and second-level autonomous driving features. How do you find the New Renault Scenic?