Renault News

Some of Australia's favourite models will see their safety ratings lapse in 2026.

What might be a legitimate challenger to the Suzuki Jimny’s “Best Fun Small 4WD” title, the Renault Duster (aka the Dacia Duster in other markets), is here.

A landmark car ban in Europe could be overturned, according to reports.

Ford Fiesta could return.

A former family favourite has landed with an electric revamp.Renault has announced pricing and specifications for its revived Scenic, which re-joins the Aussie market as an all-electric SUV. The five-seat SUV will start from $55,990, before on-road costs.The car will have several all-electric rivals when it lands in Australia, but it's been competitively priced compared to some alternatives.It will directly rival BYD’s Sealion 7, which starts from $54,990, before on-road costs and the Zeekr 7X, starting from $57,900.  In terms of dimensions, it's more inline with smaller fare like the MG S5 small electric SUV.This tight pricing comes off the back of the brand shaving $10,000 off the price of its Megane E-Tech only months after Renault launched it in Australia last year. Car warranty: five-year/100,000km - Battery warranty: eight-year/160,000km.The Scenic E-Tech's single electric motor in the entry-level variant transfers 125kW and 280Nm to the front wheels and can shift the car from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds. The more powerful motor available in up-spec models trims that standard sprint time to 7.9 seconds, producing 160kW and 300Nm. The car has three optional paint choices which are metallic ($800), two-tone ($1000), and matt ($1200), which is exclusive to the range-topping variant. The last Renault to wear the Scenic badge left the market about 15 years ago, but it was a small, five-seater boxy MPV. Deliveries on the new Scenic E-Tech will begin later this year or early next year, with the top-of-the range Esprit Alpine launching before other model variants. Six-speaker sound systemApple CarPlay and Android AutoWireless phone charger12.3-inch digital driver’s display12-inch central displayAuto-folding door mirrorsAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorPower tailgateHeated steering wheelHeated front seatsCloth upholstery19-inch alloy wheelsEsprit Alpine EV87 getsInfrared windscreenMetal pedal coversSynthetic leather and cloth seat trim with Alpine stitchingMemory seatingMassaging driver’s seat9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system20-inch alloy wheelsAlpine badgingFacial recognition for seat and mirror settingsThe new Renault Scenic E-Tech has not been crash tested yet. 2026 Renault Scenic E-Tech safety features: Blind spot assist360-degree cameraAdaptive cruise controlSpeed sign recognitionRear cross-traffic alertFront, side and rear parking sensors

Renault's new electric city hatch shapes up to rival the BYD Atto 1

Two premium electric MGs from China have achieved five-star safety ratings from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

A striking European SUV is making its return to Australia with an electric twist.

Nissan's new little Tekton SUV pays homage to the iconic Patrol and will rival Suzuki’s Vitara and Kia Seltos when it arrives in 2026.

Dacia thinks it has cracked the code for what makes a car popular with its little Hipster EV concept, but that’s up to you.The Hipster EV is just a concept, but Dacia reckons the blocky little EV will appeal not just because of its cute looks, but due to its simplicity and affordability in the way cult classics such as the Citroen 2CV and Land Rover Defender.Speaking to British motoring publication Autocar, Dacia’s chief designer David Durand said popular people’s cars all have the same ingredients — basic design and a low price — and the Hipster will, too.“All those popular cars were super appreciated and they were not expensive,” Durand told Autocar.“They were super popular; you had a lot on the streets. So for us, it's an example that we should be able to reproduce this mindset, and in these situations, essentials become super cool.”And by essential Durand is referring to the very basics needed by modern standards in cars. In the case of the Hipster the vehicle has been stripped of what Dacia considers unnecessary in order to reduce weight and cost.Sliding glass windows have been used instead of power operated ones, exterior door handles are just fabric straps and inside there isn’t a large screen or media system — just a mount for your phone if you need sat nav or music — bluetooth speakers can be optioned. Other options include cupholders, armrests and there’s no key — just an app on your phone to lock and unlock the car and start it. Dacia’s Director of Product Performance Patrice Levy-Bentold told Autocar that companies need to consider the ‘less is more’ approach especially when it comes to electric vehicles. “We cannot continue with this 'always more' trend, which is why we have to propose a completely different approach, to disrupt again with the vision of what we should bring, and Hipster concept is exactly this," said Levy-Bentold."Let's just go back to the essentials: what do we really need on a daily basis?""In daily driving, you don't need a 1.5- or two-tonne car with an 80kWh battery capable of doing 0-100kph in four seconds. You don't need this.”Details of the Hipster’s battery capacity have yet to be announced, nor have many other technical specifications such as motors or output. We do know the dimensions which reveal the concept to be three metres long, 1.55m wide and 1.53m tall. We also know the Hipster is a four seater with a 70 litre boot but with the rear row folded opens up to 500 litres.Dacia is a Romanian car maker and part of the Renault-Nissan alliance. While Dacia as a brand isn’t available in Australia its models are rebadged as Renaults with the latest being the Duster SUV, which arrived here in July, 2025.