Renault Scenic returns to Australia! New electric small SUV coming to challenge MG S5 and Kia EV3

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Renault has confirmed it will revive the Scenic nameplate in Australia, introducing an all new electric small SUV by the end of 2025. 

Dubbed the Scenic E-Tech, Renault’s new five-seater has very little in common with its seven-seat MPV predecessor, aside from its badges.

Where the second-generation Scenic rivalled the original Peugeot 3008 (now similarly reborn as an SUV) and Skoda Yeti before exiting Australia in 2010 as the people-moving Grand Scenic 7-seater, the five-seater Scenic E-Tech will aim to challenge compact electric SUVs such as the Kia EV3 (from $47,600 before on-road costs), BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990), and MG S5 (from $40,490). 

The Renault Scenic E-Tech measures 4470mm long, 1864mm wide, 1565mm tall, and drives on a wheelbase of 2785mm. It’s noticeably bigger than the former Scenic hatchback models and just slightly shorter than the old Grand Scenic, but sits a half-size above its closely related, 4.2m-long Megane E-Tech stablemate, another iconic Renault nameplate reborn as a small electric SUV. 

That brings an expectation that the Scenic E-Tech will be priced above the Megane, which is currently offered at $54,990 driveaway. That price follows a hefty discount of $10,000 applying mid year from its launch price of $64,990 RRP down to $54,990 RRP.

As with previous combustion versions of the Scenic and Megane, the electric versions share a platform – built on a joint venture CMF-EV Renault / Nissan architecture, also shared by the recently launched Nissan Ariya, which starts from $55,840 before on-road costs. 

Renault has so far detailed two front-driven powertrains for the Scenic E-Tech, but is yet to confirm which will be offered locally. The base model pairs a 125kW/280Nm front electric motor with a 60kWh battery to deliver a WLTP range of 430km. Peak DC charging is rated at 130kW. 

The top-spec ‘long range’ Scenic produces 160kW/300Nm at the front wheels, the same output shared by the base Ariya and Megane. It is powered with a larger 87kWh battery and its driving range is quoted at an impressive 625km (WLTP), with peak DC charging rising to 150kW. 

More detailed charging figures, including AC and DC charge times, are to be confirmed closer to the Scenic’s end of year launch.

In the UK market, highlights from the Scenic E-Tech’s interior include a 12-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, standard-equipped six-speaker sound system (Harman Kardon 9-speaker system for range toppers), dual-zone AC, and front seat heating.

Again using the UK as a guide, it would be anticipated that a base model would sit on 19-inch alloy wheels, with the ‘long range’ gaining 20-inch alloys. 

Boot volume is impressive for the Scenic E-Tech’s small size: 545 litres with the rear seats up, and 1670 litres with the seats folded. 

The Renault Scenic E-Tech is one of six new models pledged by Renault to launch in Australia over the next 18 months. The six-model rollout began in August with the Duster compact SUV, and will continue with the Scenic E-Tech and soon to debut Renault 5 Turbo EV.

It remains to be seen if the retrofuturistic Renault 4 EV will be one of the other new models to be brought down-under.

Further Australian-market specifications, including pricing, launch timing, and an official grade walk for the Renault Scenic E-Tech will be revealed closer to the end of the year.