The road to the 2024 European Car of the Year finally ended today (February 26), with the 58 jurors from 22 countries deciding the big winner during a ceremony held at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show.
The competition was tough, and besides the usual contenders from more traditional brands, the shortlist also included a Chinese car, the BYD Seal, alongside the Volvo EX30, which is also built in the People's Republic, although production is set to commence in Belgium starting next year.
Other contenders included the Peugeot E-3008, Kia EV9, Toyota CH-R, BMW 5 Series, and Renault Scenic. And it was the latter that became Europe's 2024 Car of the Year, scoring 329 votes in total. The BMW 5 Series came second, with 308 votes, with the Peugeot E-3008 completing the podium with 197 votes. The Kia EV9, Volvo EX30, BYD Seal, and Toyota C-HR scored 190, 168, 131, and 127 votes, respectively.
"This recognition demonstrates that we have made the right choices: record-breaking range, generous and inviting roominess, all with a closely managed environmental footprint," commented Renault’s CEO, Fabrice Cambolive. "When you add in the driving pleasure and 'voiture à vivre' equipment such as the new Solarbay panoramic sunroof or the latest generation OpenR Link system with integrated Google systems, Scenic has all the right features to shore up its position on the European EV market."
Photo: Car of the Year
Unveiled last fall, the new Renault Scenic has grown out of its minivan suit and into a trendier crossover. The model looks similar to the Vision Scenic Concept from 2022 and other modern-day vehicles in the diamond brand's portfolio, wrapped in a compact package that is sprinkled with the usual technology gear, as well as some comfort and numerous amenities features, and it is a battery-electric proposal.
Beneath the skin lies the Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is now known as the AmpR. The architecture is dedicated to zero-emission models and is also the foundation stone of the new Megane E-Tech and the Nissan Ariya.
The most frugal member of the family, the Scenic E-Tech Techno Long Range, can drive up to 610 km (379 miles) on the WLTP cycle. It enjoys 217 ps (214 hp/160 kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, takes 7.9 seconds from zero to 100 kph (0 to 62 mph), and has a 170 kph (106 mph) top speed. This model starts at £40,995 ($51,945) in the UK.
The new entry-level variant is called the Scenic E-Tech Techno Comfort Range. It has 170 ps (168 hp/125 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft), is 0.7 seconds slower to 100 kph, maxes out at 150 kph (93 mph), and has a 418 km (260 miles) range, carrying an on-the-road price of £37,495 ($47,510). The Esprit Alpine Long Range and Iconic Long Range complete the offering, starting at £43,495 ($55,110) and £45,495 ($57,645), respectively.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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