Renault Scenic E-Tech crowned the 2024 Car of the Year

The Renault Scenic E-Tech took home the coveted Car of the Year 2024 award. Electric vehicles dominating automotive awards is slowly becoming the norm, and the French SUV bested some remarkable competitors. The 2024 win adds to Renault's long history with the award, scoring multiple trophies over the years.

One of its biggest selling points is the claimed 388 miles range on the WLTP cycle. Impressive, yes, but the realities of daily driving often come short of these figures.

The Scenic E-Tech faced fierce opposition. The stylish BMW 5-series with the BMW i5 came in a close second, showcasing that cars built on hybrid platforms can still compete in the changing landscape. The Peugeot 3008 secured a respectable third place, offering French flair with a potent hybrid option. Meanwhile, Kia EV9 placed fourth, demonstrating its bold design and spacious interior are finding favor with the jury.

The Scenic E-Tech's competitive pricing, with a starting point under $43,000, could make it eligible for government subsidies in some countries, potentially sweetening the deal. It packs a decent electric motor with 160 kW of power (215 horsepower), but rivals offer similar or even better specs. Though its claimed 388 miles WLTP range is impressive, be prepared for a potentially less optimistic figure in real-world use.

The 77 kWh battery is respectable, and the Scenic E-Tech did score points for its compact 175.98 inches size, promising maneuverability in urban areas, and it offers tech goodies like a panoramic sunroof and the “OpenR Link” infotainment system with integrated Google services.

The market is teeming with contenders. The Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer comparable specs, often at similar or even lower price points, and their reliability is already proven. Then there's the ever-present Tesla Model Y, dominating the segment.

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