Renault has done it again. The French automaker has won the prestigious Car of the Year 2024 award for its Scenic E-Tech electric, a compact SUV that combines electric modernity, useful technologies, and a more sustainable design. This is the seventh time that Renault has received this honor, following the Renault 16 (1966), Renault 9 (1982), Clio (1991), Scenic (1997), Megane (2003) and Clio (2006).
The 2024 Renault Scenic E-Tech electric was chosen by a jury of 59 motoring journalists from 22 countries, who evaluated 29 candidates based on criteria such as innovation, performance, safety, design, value and environmental impact. The Scenic E-Tech electric scored 329 points, beating the BMW 5 Series (308 points), the BYD Seal (295 points), the Kia EV9 (284 points), the Peugeot E-3008/3008 (281 points), the Toyota C-HR (277 points) and the Volvo EX30 (275 points).
What makes the Scenic E-Tech electric so special?
The Scenic E-Tech electric is the first full-electric vehicle developed on the AmpR Medium platform (formerly CMF-EV), which is designed to offer a high level of efficiency, performance and comfort for electric vehicles. The Scenic E-Tech electric boasts a range of up to 625 km (WLTP), which is the best in its segment and one of the best in the market. It also offers a fast charging capability of up to 150 kW, which allows it to recover up to 300 km of range in just 20 minutes.
The Scenic E-Tech electric is not only a champion of range, but also of roominess. It offers a spacious and versatile interior, with a boot capacity of 540 liters and a sliding rear bench that can be adjusted by up to 16 cm. The Scenic E-Tech electric also features a new Solarbay panoramic sunroof, which provides natural light and reduces the need for air conditioning. The sunroof also has photovoltaic cells that can generate up to 50 watts of electricity, which can be used to power the onboard systems or to charge the 12-volt battery.
The Scenic E-Tech electric is also a smart and connected vehicle, equipped with the latest generation of the OpenR Link system, which integrates Google systems such as Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play. The system has a 12-inch touchscreen display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be customized according to the driver’s preferences. The Scenic E-Tech electric also has a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, a Bose premium sound system and a range of advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, traffic sign recognition and emergency braking.
How does the Scenic E-Tech electric fit into Renault’s strategy?
The Scenic E-Tech electric is a key product for Renault, as it embodies the Renaulution strategic plan, which aims to transform the company into a next-generation automotive group that focuses on value creation, electrification and mobility services. The Scenic E-Tech electric is part of Renault’s ambitious electrification strategy, which targets Europe's 90% electric mix by 2030. The Scenic E-Tech electric is also a symbol of Renault’s commitment to a more sustainable and responsible mobility, as it is produced at the ElectriCity plant in Douai, France, which is the largest and most competitive electric vehicle production center in Europe. The Scenic E-Tech electric also uses recycled and bio-based materials, such as recycled plastic, hemp and flax fibers, which reduce its environmental footprint and enhance its quality and durability.
The Scenic E-Tech electric is already a success, as it has received more than 15,000 orders in Europe since its launch in November 2023. The Scenic E-Tech electric is available in four trim levels: Life, Zen, Intens, and Initiale Paris, with prices starting from $44,500 (excluding government subsidies). The Scenic E-Tech electric is a vehicle that changes the codes of the electric SUV segment, by offering a unique combination of range, roominess, technology and design. It is a worthy winner of the Car of the Year 2024 award, and a vehicle that will appeal to a wide range of customers looking for a versatile, comfortable and eco-friendly family car.
