The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is a compact SUV that combines family-friendly practicality with zero-emission driving. It is the first electric vehicle to be designed more sustainably, using recycled materials and being 90% recyclable. The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric car won the prestigious Car of the Year 2024 award, beating six other finalists in a close contest. How did this innovative and versatile vehicle achieve this feat? Let’s find out.
The Car of the Year 2024 award
The Car of the Year award is one of the oldest and most respected honors in the automotive industry. It was established in 1964 by a group of European motoring journalists who wanted to recognize the best new car on the market each year. The award is based on six criteria: design, performance, efficiency, safety, value for money, and technical innovation.
The Car of the Year 2024 jury consisted of 58 members from 22 countries, representing a wide range of expertise and opinions. They tested and evaluated 29 new European models launched between January 2023 and December 2024. From this list, they selected seven finalists: the BMW 5-Series, the BYD Seal, the Kia EV9, the Peugeot E-3008/3008, the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric, the Toyota C-HR, and the Volvo EX30.
The final vote occurred on February 26, 2024, at the Geneva International Motor Show. Each juror had 25 points to distribute among the finalists, with a maximum of 10 points for one model and a minimum of one point for at least five models. The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric emerged as the winner with 329 points, followed by the BMW 5-Series with 308 points, and the Peugeot E-3008/3008 with 197 points. The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric received 22 best votes, the highest number among the finalists.
This is the seventh time that Renault has won the Car of the Year award, after the Renault 16 in 1966, the Renault 9 in 1982, the Renault Clio in 1991, the Renault Mégane Scénic in 1997, the Renault Mégane II in 2003, and the Renault Clio IV in 2013. It is also the first time that an electric vehicle has won the award since the Nissan Leaf in 2011.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric: a family car for the future
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is the latest evolution of the Scenic, a model that pioneered the compact MPV segment in 1996. The Scenic was designed to offer a spacious and flexible family interior, with a high roofline, a large boot, and sliding rear seats. It was a huge success, selling over 5 million units worldwide and inspiring many competitors.
However, as the market shifted towards SUVs and crossovers, the Scenic lost some appeal and relevance. Renault decided to reinvent the Scenic as an electric SUV, using the CMF-EV platform developed by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The CMF-EV platform is a modular and scalable architecture that allows for different electric vehicle sizes, shapes, and powertrains.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is powered by an 87 kWh battery and a 160 kW (220 hp) electric motor, giving it a range of up to 625 km (388 miles) on the WLTP cycle. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). It supports fast charging up to 150 kW, allowing it to regain 80% of its battery in 40 minutes.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is also designed to be more sustainable than conventional vehicles. It uses recycled materials for 60% of its interior and 30% of its exterior, reducing its environmental impact and saving resources. It is also 90% recyclable at the end of its life cycle, minimizing waste and pollution. It features a solar roof that can generate up to 5 km (3 miles) of extra range per day, depending on the weather and the driving conditions.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is not only eco-friendly but also comfortable and convenient for its passengers. Thanks to its flat roof and long wheelbase, it has a spacious and airy cabin. It offers plenty of legroom and headroom for all occupants and a 545-liter (19.2 cubic feet) boot that can be expanded to 1,500 liters (53 cubic feet) by folding the rear seats. It has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with more than 50 apps and services available. It also has a range of advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and parking assist.
How the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric compares to its rivals
The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is not the only electric SUV on the market. It faces competition from several other models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID.4, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. How does it stack up against them? Here is a comparison table with some key specifications and features of each model.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault Scenic E-Tech electric | 87 kWh | 625 km (388 miles) | 160 kW (220 hp) | $45,000 (est.) |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 72.6 kWh | 480 km (298 miles) | 225 kW (302 hp) | $45,000 (est.) |
| Tesla Model Y | 75 kWh | 525 km (326 miles) | 286 kW (384 hp) | $53,990 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 77 kWh | 520 km (323 miles) | 150 kW (201 hp) | $39,995 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 88 kWh | 483 km (300 miles) | 210 kW (282 hp) | $42,895 |
As the table shows, the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric has the largest battery and the longest range among its rivals, making it ideal for long-distance trips. It also has a competitive price, although the final cost may vary depending on the market and the incentives available. However, it is not the most powerful or the fastest model, and it may not have the same brand recognition or appeal as some of its competitors.
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The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric is a remarkable vehicle that deserves the Car of the Year 2024 award. It is an electric family SUV with a spacious and practical interior, a long and reliable range, and a low environmental impact. It is also a vehicle that showcases Renault’s innovation and vision for the future of mobility. It is a vehicle that can appeal to a wide range of customers, from families to eco-conscious drivers, from urban commuters to road trippers. It is a vehicle that can make electric driving more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
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