Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric — The Irish Family Hero

The Renault Scenic has been reborn as a fully electric crossover, and it's one of the most compelling family EVs available in Ireland. Renault has taken a beloved nameplate and reimagined it for the electric era, creating a car that's spacious, practical, and genuinely good to look at.

A Complete Reinvention

The new Scenic shares nothing with the MPV it replaces except the name. It's now a stylish, high-riding crossover built on the CMF-EV platform. The design is modern and attractive, with slim LED headlights, a sculpted bonnet, and muscular wheel arches that give it genuine road presence.

At 4,470mm long, it sits between the Renault Captur and Austral in size. But thanks to the flat EV floor and clever packaging, interior space rivals cars from the class above.

Interior & Practicality

The cabin is the Scenic's strongest suit. The OpenR Link infotainment system — powered by Google — runs on a 12-inch landscape screen paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It's fast, intuitive, and includes Google Maps, Google Assistant, and over-the-air updates.

The flat floor creates genuine five-seat spaciousness. Rear legroom is excellent — adult passengers won't feel cramped. The 545-litre boot is among the largest in the class, and the wide opening makes loading pushchairs and shopping bags easy.

Storage throughout the cabin is generous, with large door pockets, a useful centre console bin, and a clever phone storage area with wireless charging.

Range & Charging

Two battery options are available. The 60 kWh battery delivers up to 420 km WLTP range, while the 87 kWh version extends that to an impressive 625 km. Real-world Irish range for the larger battery is around 480-530 km — comfortably enough for any journey in Ireland.

The 87 kWh version supports 150 kW DC fast charging, with 10-80% in approximately 37 minutes. The smaller battery charges at up to 130 kW.

Driving Experience

The Scenic is tuned firmly for comfort — and that's the right call for a family car. The suspension absorbs Ireland's variable road surfaces beautifully, and the cabin remains quiet and composed at all speeds.

The 220 PS motor provides adequate performance for a family car — it's not sporty, but it's never felt underpowered. The steering is light and precise, making parking and urban manoeuvring easy. The tight turning circle is a genuine real-world benefit.

Safety

The Scenic scored a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP testing, with particularly strong scores for child occupant protection and safety assist features. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Verdict

The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is a brilliant family car. It's spacious, comfortable, well-equipped, and has excellent range. For Irish families considering their first EV, it ticks virtually every box — practical enough for daily life, capable enough for holiday road trips, and affordable enough to make the switch worthwhile.

Rating: 9/10

Best for: Families with young children, suburban commuters, anyone prioritising space and comfort in an EV.

Price range in Ireland: €42,000 - €52,000