Renault just got caught red-handed: a test prototype of the updated Scenic E-Tech, expected for the 2027 model year, has been caught by spy photographers — and this time the cameras made it all the way inside the cabin. The stakes are high: the Scenic needs to catch up with the recently facelifted Megane and hold its ground in one of the busiest segments in the electric SUV world, where rivals never sleep.
There’s no revolution happening inside. But the architecture is clearly stepping into the future. Expect a pairing of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch central touchscreen running the openR multimedia system with Google services baked in. A new Qi2/MagSafe wireless charger designed to hold steady power without overheating is also on the way, and the roster of driver-assist features should grow.
But the real headline is the battery. The Scenic is expected to ditch NMC cells in favor of a new French-made LFP battery with 67 kWh of usable capacity. It will feed a front-mounted electric motor producing 218 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Range is pegged above 450 km WLTP, with AC charging at 11 kW as standard and 22 kW as an option, plus DC fast charging up to 165 kW.
You could be forgiven for reading the LFP switch as a step backward. It’s actually a calculated move. These batteries typically trail NMC on energy density, but they shrug off frequent charging cycles better, cost less to build, and lean less on pricey raw materials. For a family crossover, that matters more than chasing a record-breaking range figure. Cheaper and easier to live with — that’s exactly what the Scenic needs right now.
Right now the Scenic E-Tech starts at €39,588 in Spain. And the competition is breathing down its neck: the Hyundai Kona Electric starts at €37,445, the BYD Atto 3 costs €38,990, and the Kia e-Niro starts at €41,763. Factor in that the Kona can drop to €24,985 during promotions, and it’s easy to see why the European market has become such a nerve-wracking place for Renault.
The public debut of the updated Scenic is expected at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, with orders potentially opening before year’s end and dealer arrivals landing in 2027. Renault may also trim the lineup down to Techno and Esprit Alpine trims — mirroring what it just did with the new Megane.
