Should the Tesla Model Y be concerned about the Renault Scenic?

Renault has decided to completely rethink the philosophy of what was once a minivan and is now reborn as an SUV. Enough to make the industry giant Tesla tremble?

Scenic has been writing its story for over 27 years. Born in 1996, this model pioneered the compact minivan segment in Europe. An intelligent positioning that allowed it to quickly establish itself as the primary vehicle for the family. A versatile vehicle, with a clever balance between size and interior space, that could just as easily drop the kids off at school before heading to work, or go on a long weekend or vacation. But this model fell out of favor with the rise of SUVs, which adopted this philosophy but dressed it in a more rugged, sexier look than the minivan overalls.

First Farewell for the Minivan

As an example of these successful transformations, who still remembers the Peugeot 3008 first generation, once an ugly duckling turned record-breaking swan after its makeover? The stylistic cues shared between this new Scenic 5 and its Sochalian cousin are no coincidence, since the father of the 3008, Gilles Vidal, has since joined the Renault team. When it works, why try to be different?

Another strategy involves taking a compact sedan, increasing the diameter of its wheels by a few inches, raising it and enlarging its body to transform it into an SUV. This is the path Tesla has taken, which by modifying its Model 3 into a Model Y created a new model while keeping 75% of parts in common between the two.

Converging Philosophies

So, does the Renault Scenic E-Tech have the arguments to face the Tesla Model Y, the world’s best-selling electric vehicle? To do so, one would need to compare prices, which isn’t possible yet because we don’t have Renault’s pricing grid as of today. It will be unveiled in early November when orders open. In the meantime, here is an initial analysis.

With a length of 4.47 meters—6 cm longer than the Scenic 4, a width of 1.86 m, and a height of 1.57 m, the Scenic concedes ground in every segment compared to the 4.75 m long, 1.92 m wide, and 1.62 m high Model Y. Tesla’s minimalistic and clean interior design reinforces this impression despite visible efforts and the commendable work by Renault. The Scenic offers more cargo volume than the previous generation with 545 liters but is blown away by the 854 liters of the Model Y. Unfortunately, no contest here.

However, with an WLTP range announced at 620 kilometers thanks to a compact 87 kWh battery, the Renault Scenic outperforms the American model, which trails by nearly 100 km in its Long Range version. Renault has done very well, and given the brand’s seriousness, these figures should not be questioned. We know that today, the main barrier to electric car adoption is the fear of running out of charge, and this record-breaking range should dispel many concerns…and trigger purchases!

Buy a Renault to Stand Out from the Crowd?

We understand why the Model Y is a best-seller. It’s an innovative, interesting, and smart vehicle, which explains why you see it everywhere. And it’s this particular aspect that could boost the Scenic’s success because a segment of the population remains happily attached to buying French, while also wanting to stand out. Who would have imagined a few years ago that someone would buy a Renault to break away from the Tesla crowd?

In this regard, Renault must not miss its pricing strategy. Matching the Model Y’s prices would be obvious, but the Renault brand knows that many of its customers are still very attached to thermal cars, whether fully electric or hybrid, and comparisons with other models like the Austral should not put the 100% electric version at a disadvantage. Tesla still has plenty of room for promotions, as demonstrated over the past two years, and the French rival’s initial pricing should be watched carefully before launching a strong counterattack. Finally, the Project Juniper, a new version of the Model Y, is already in the pipeline—a leak surfaced the day after the Scenic’s unveiling. Today’s auto industry operates in a constant game of action and reaction, a risky balancing act but the world is changing, and it’s changing rapidly.