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| 2024 Renault Scenic |
Here it is, the all-new, all-electric, fifth-generation Renault Scenic. It's no longer the Scenic the world knows because it's now officially a crossover SUV that uses the same E-TECH all-electric powertrain from the Megane. It starts at 35,990 Euros plus additional costs, cheaper than its main rival, the Peugeot e-2008.
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| 2024 Renault Scenic |
Beginning with the styling, the all-new Scenic mimics the design from the Scenic Vision Concept two years ago, giving sharpness to this crossover people carrier. Its dimensions are 4.47m long, 1.86m wide, and 1.57m high, which promises to be more spacious than its predecessor despite being smaller in width and height.
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| 2024 Renault Scenic interior |
The all-new Scenic dons the familiar Renault dashboard that today's models have, meaning you will be greeted by the all-familiar 12.3-inch horizontal screen joined by the L-shaped 12-inch vertical touchscreen that controls the infotainment, climate control, and the MULTI-SENSE. It's powered by Google Android Auto just so you know. Concerning sustainability, the Scenic's interior is crafted from 90% of recyclable materials.
As a five-seater, the all-new Scenic allows passengers to turn the middle seat from the second row into an armrest with two cup holders. Ideal for VIP work if you're into that. Regarding boot space, the Scenic V can carry up to 545 liters, with the rear seats present up to 1,670 liters of boot space and the passenger seats folded.
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| 2024 Renault Scenic |
The all-electric E-TECH powertrain features a 60kWH standard range or an 87kWh high-range battery pack. The latter produces a high-performance 220PS of power and 300Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in less than eight seconds and is about ten kph slower than a standard Japanese car or a present-day Volvo. As for driving range, it's good for up to 625km on one full charge.
Asked about the driving experience, even with the MULTI-SENSE set to Sport Mode, the all-new Scenic feels regular to drive. Not an exciting experience as expected on an electric crossover but thanks to its CMF-EV platform and its electric drivetrain, it's about as comfortable as sleeping in a bed in a three-star hotel. Of course, being a new normal crossover, the Scenic features Safety Coach which assesses driving behavior and habits to provide tailored advice on driving style and ADAS use. Bossy, eh?
There you have it. The all-new Renault Scenic E-TECH made us forget about the Scenics of yesteryears because from now on, this is one we should stick to our heads. Sadly, it's not going to be easy because as today's customers are showing lukewarm interest in electric cars, they are better off with a crossover that looks just like it, except for every single detail.
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| 2025 Renault Symbioz |
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| 2025 Renault Symbioz |
This is the first-ever Renault Symbioz and don't let its name fool you. It may bear the name of a funky 2017 concept car but, in reality, it's just another hybrid crossover made to tackle the likes of the Peugeot 2008. Priced at 33,400 Euros plus additional costs, it's slightly more expensive than the 2008.
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| 2025 Renault Symbioz interior |
Although the Symbioz bears the same front face as today's Scenic, the rear and side view look like it came from today's Kia Sportage. Same Renault gadgetry aside, the spacing of the Symbioz is smaller than the Scenic because it's capable of carrying up to 1455 liters of boot space. Still, it can carry up to five people. No problem.
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| 2025 Renault Symbioz |
Front-wheel-drive only as expected, just like the Scenic, the Symbioz is powered by the same 1.6L E-TECH 145 hybrid powertrain as the Arkana. Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, it has a 0-100kph time of 10.6 seconds, slower than the Scenic, and it has the same top speed as the Scenic E-Tech. 170kph to be exact.
Sure, it still packs the nagging Safety Coach that tells your driving style as well as ADAS recommendations but because it uses the same platform as today's Clio, it's less bulky to drive than the Scenic. Mind you, this is straightforward compared to this...
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| 2025 Renault Rafale |
The 45,000 Euro Renault Rafale. Named after a multirole jet used by the French Navy, it's the exact opposite of its namesake. Despite the irony, this is the Top Gun of the Renault SUV lineup.
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| 2025 Renault Rafale |
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| 2025 Renault Rafale interior |
Despite being a coupe crossover just like its main rival, the Peugeot 408, the Rafale is the most spacious of the Renault crossovers with up to 1910 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded down. It still packs the usual Renault tech such as the OpenR Link, Safety Coach, and others, but because it has AI-powered capabilities, the Rafale is another one of the production cars that plunged into the dark side of AI connectivity.
In addition to the 1.2L Turbo E-TECH Hybrid powertrain with 200PS of power output mated to a 6-speed AT with 4.7L/100km of fuel economy, the Rafale features the 300PS 1.2L Turbo PHEV powertrain where the combination of the petrol engine and the electric motor powering all four wheels, making it the only 4WD in the Renault SUV lineup. Armed with the 6-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 6.4 seconds and has the top speed of a standard Japanese car or a present-day Volvo. Fuel economy is around 0.5L/100km and running on electricity only, it can go up to 105km.
Coupled with MULTI-SENSE and the Megane-derived 4CONTROL system, the Rafale is about as close as enjoyable as the now-defunct Renaultsport Megane. Close but no baguette. The same goes for the 4x4 PHEV variant but good while feeling under the weather.
Three Renault crossovers of 2024 bear such ironies. The Scenic of today has nothing to do with the Scenics of the past, the Symbioz has nothing to do with the concept car namesake, and the Rafale is not as cool as its fighter jet namesake. Differences aside, these crossovers made such a statement and in the end, it's the Rafale that stands out not because...well, you get the idea. Case closed.
Photo: Renault