Renault launches electric Scenic e-tech in Australia in new model refresh

One of the new vehicle releases at the recent Melbourne Everything Electric show was the Renault Scenic E-Tech. Only mooted for an Australian launch in the last month or so, it was with some surprise that it was officially unveiled by Glen Sealey (General Manager of Renault Australia), including pricing and ordering details.

At the unveiling, Glen noted: “Earlier this year we announced Renault Australia would introduce six new or updated models over the next 18 months.  The Renault Scenic E-Tech is just the start of our revitalisation program and we are delighted to be able to introduce this award-winning car in Australia”.

Some people may remember the Renault Scenic name from back in the late 90s to late 2000s. Back then it was a very practical … if somewhat boxy looking … petrol-powered high roof wagon that could comfortably carry 5 (and later 7) people and their luggage.

Overseas, the badge carried on until 2022 when it was temporarily retired, to be replaced with a totally redesigned, electric-only model. That all-new Scenic E-Tech (E-Tech denoting it as a BEV) was launched for sale in Europe in late 2023 and has moved far from its boxy roots, being best described now as a medium sized ‘crossover’ SUV.

In Australia, the Scenic E-Tech can be now ordered in either ‘techno’ or ‘esprit Alpine’ trims – with the techno offered with either a 60 kWh battery/125 kW motor offering up to 430 km of WLTP driving range, or an 87 kWh battery/160 kW motor giving up to 625 km of WLTP range.

Priced at $60,522 drive-away for the 60 kWh battery version, you get heated seats and steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch control touchscreen offering both Android Auto and Apple Carplay, plus all the usual ASAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features.

The long-range Techno version comes at an additional $4000-ish ($64,690 drive-away), for which you get the bigger battery (87 kWh) and higher power motor (160kW/300Nm).

All versions come with steering wheel paddles for adjusting the regenerative braking levels: a feature by the way I find particularly valuable … and perhaps the one I miss most in BEVs that don’t possess them.

Luggage space is a handy 545 litres (rear seats up, under parcel shelf) … or up to 1670 litres with the rear seats down and loaded to the gunwales. All models will come standard with over-the-air updates, access to the MyRenault App, and an embedded Google system that enables voice controls for up to 70 functions in the car including many beyond the infotainment system.

For a further $6000-ish you can step up again to the ‘esprit Alpine’ version, which comes only with the larger battery/motor combination. To this is added 20-inch wheels with lower profile tyres (19-inch in the techno), an upgrade to a Harmon Kardon 9 speaker sound system and the addition of electric front seats.

The interior is also ‘Alpine themed’ – although what exactly that will be in Australia has yet to be confirmed. Overseas this theme includes sports seats with blue stitching and Alpine badging, fabric dashboard, an Alpine badged steering wheel, blue carpet and blue detailing in the storage compartments and door panel inserts.

AC charging is up to 11 kW, with DC up to 130 kW for the 60 kW battery and 150 kW for the 87 kWh versions.

Warranty and service

Renault are offering 5 year/100,000km on the Scenic E-tech and 8 years/160,000km on the battery (to 70%) alongside which is a free 5 year 24/7 roadside assistance package. The service interval is 1 year or 30,000km (whichever comes first).

When will it arrive?

Renault have announced that the top-of-the-range Renault Scenic Esprit Alpine will lead the local roll-out, ahead of the arrival of other variants. Deliveries are expected to begin late this year or early 2026.

Click here for the specifications sheet