Renault Scenic E-Tech electric small SUV "under study", Austral hybrid ruled out

The Renault Scenic E-Tech – an electric SUV similar in size to the BYD Atto 3 – remains under consideration for Australia.

At the local launch of the smaller Megane E-Tech electric SUV this week, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey said the Scenic E-Tech is “under study” for Australia as it will be available in right-hand drive for the United Kingdom.

However, it will need to pass a business case, which would include what further investment is required to meet Australia’s unique design rules and how it could be positioned in the market.

“It has to meet the criteria of [whether] is it right for Renault to invest in terms of the ADRs here, does it represent the right mix for our [dealer] network, and then most importantly, does it represent value considering your brand equity to the customer. Is the customer going to pay for it and do they want it?,” said Sealey.

Compared to other markets, the Australian Design Rules require a child-seat top-tether anchor in the rear-middle position to retain a five-seat capacity, while the amount of tension required for each anchorage is more than the European standard.

First introduced in 1996 as a Megane-based small multi-purpose vehicle, the Scenic retained this body style across three generations until the last model ended production in 2022, with the nameplate now re-purposed for its fifth generation as an all-electric SUV.

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The Scenic – and its Scenic RX4 four-wheel-drive derivative – was sold in Australia between 2001 and 2009.

Under the skin, the Scenic E-Tech is based on the same AmpR Medium platform (previously CMF-EV) as the Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya. It has a compact battery supplying up to 87kWh and an electric motor with up to 160kW.

Measuring a compact 4470 millimetres long, 1860mm wide and 1570mm tall, with a 2780mm wheelbase, the Scenic E-Tech is similar in size to the BYD Atto 3 small SUV rather than the larger Tesla Model Y, the world’s best-selling electric vehicle.

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If introduced in Australia, the Scenic E-Tech would not replace the petrol-powered Koleos mid-size SUV, which is the brand’s most popular vehicle in Australia. It will remain available in Australia until at least the end of 2025, with further plans still to be confirmed.

“We will have an EV range and we will also have an ICE range [in Australia],” added Sealey.

However, Renault Australia has confirmed one potential successor for the Koleos won’t come to Australia.

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The petrol-electric hybrid Renault Austral midsize SUV – based on the same CMF-C/D platform as the Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander – will not be coming here, despite it being sold in the United Kingdom.

“It’s a terrific car. But if you look at the pricing of Austral in Europe and the UK and you apply that to the Australian context and market, you’re not going to sell many,” said Sealey.

In Europe, the Spanish-built Austral starts from around $60,000 plus on-road costs with a direct conversion into Australian dollars – before a further five per cent import tariff, shipping costs, and further investment required to introduce it into the Australian market.

Renault Australia has not ruled out the Rafale flagship coupe SUV – which is related to the Austral and a rival to the $67,990 before on-roads Peugeot 408 hybrid – revealed for Europe in mid-2023.

At the time, a Renault Australia spokesperson said a business case would need to be analysed for the Rafale – which is planned to be sold in the United Kingdom – before a final decision is made.

The French brand plans to unveil the Renault Symboiz hybrid small SUV in the coming months. It will slot between the Captur and Arkana, making it unlikely to replace the much larger Koleos in Australia.