Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Renault Scenic - Design, interior & technology

The cabin layout is restrained, but the Scenic has a logical layout and user-friendly tech

Interior, design and technology rating

4.2

How we review cars
Find your Renault Scenic
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The exterior of the Renault Scenic taps into the themes of the Scenic Vision concept of 2022, designed by Gillas Vidal. The light units front and rear adopt an aggressive and bold design, and unlike the black-painted concept, the lighter colours available on the Scenic show up the car’s sharp surfacing very well. The selection of alloy wheel designs is interesting. If you don’t like the Iconic’s 20-inch wheels, you can take the covers off them to reveal a different style underneath. Be warned, however, doing this will lose you 12 miles of range due to losses in aerodynamic efficiency. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

As with the old Scenic people carrier, the latest electric SUV shares tech with the Mégane, but adds more space into the mix.

What is the Renault Scenic like inside?

Renault’s latest corporate look includes plenty of sharp angles and slender lights, and the Scenic mixes these with SUV proportions to cut a real dash on the road. 

The angular theme continues inside, where the upright dashboard, with a portrait touchscreen and landscape driver’s display, dominates. There’s a decent mix of materials, though, with light-coloured seat fabrics and white armrests breaking up the black.

What is the interior quality like? 

Different types of plastic are used throughout the cabin, with traditional hard, black trim on the lower doors and the centre console, and softer materials on the dashtop and upper doors. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The lighter parts feel good to touch, while the upholstery is made from recycled fabrics and is an acceptable substitute for leather, which isn’t even offered as an option. 

Even the steering wheel is trimmed in synthetic material, although it feels like soft leather in your hands. One minor gripe is with the driver’s air vent, which is of a different design to the others on the dashboard, and feels a little clunky to use.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The two large displays on the dashboard feature super-sharp graphics and neat animations, while there’s plenty of information on the driver’s display. This can be configured into different layouts, although we’d recommend choosing one and sticking to it, because switching from one to another can shuffle the layout around, leaving vital information such as your speed in a different position that makes it hard to pick out. There are various colour themes offered, while the shortcut toggle switches beneath the main display are handy.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Renault’s OpenR Link system runs on a 12-inch portrait display in the Scenic and features crisp graphics, while the Google operating system is familiar from other recent Renaults. It’s quick to load, and the standard Google Maps software is just as effective as the firm’s smartphone app at rerouting to avoid traffic.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

There are shortcut keys at the top of the main display to make navigating the system easier, while the climate controls use a mix of quick-access physical buttons and more in-depth touchscreen functions.

Top-spec Iconic cars are fitted with what Renault calls its Solarbay roof. This is a panoramic glass panel that incorporates an electrochromatic layer that can turn from clear to opaque at the push of a button. It transforms in steps front to rear, which is a neat show for back-seat occupants to watch.

Fitting a digital rear-view mirror is a useful addition because it overcomes poor rear visibility, but not everybody can get along with this type of set-up. If you need to wear corrective glasses, it can be tricky to refocus on the screen rather than looking into a conventional mirror. At least it’s switchable here. Some cars have the camera for the digital mirror mounted on the roof or tailgate, but the Scenic’s is behind the rear window. Here it can mist up, and you need to use the rear wiper to keep it clear of rain and dirt.

Renault requested the help of musician Jean-Michel Jarre to develop some sounds for the Scenic. The first is a ‘VSP’ (vehicle sound for pedestrians) that warns people when the car is approaching at speeds under 18mph, and the second is a welcome sound sequence when you turn the car on. Sadly for 1980s electronica fans, Jarre was not involved in developing the nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system which is found as standard on the highest-specification Iconic trim.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,743 off RRP*Used from £25,098
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £37,870Avg. savings £2,955 off RRP*
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,633
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,505Avg. savings £4,317 off RRP*Used from £19,564
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: EV's huge infotainment screen is illuminating
Honda eNy1 long termer - second report header

Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: EV's huge infotainment screen is illuminating

Long-term tests
6 Feb 2025
New Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review: a fun and engaging electric hot hatch
Alpine A290 GTS - front

New Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review: a fun and engaging electric hot hatch

Road tests
5 Feb 2025
Alfa Romeo Junior review
Alfa Romeo Junior - main image

Alfa Romeo Junior review

In-depth reviews
5 Feb 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025
Best car insurance comparison sites 2025
Person browsing on a laptop

Best car insurance comparison sites 2025

It’s always a wise policy to shop around for car insurance cover, so which websites make it easiest?
Product group tests
6 Feb 2025
BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025