Renault Scenic Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Renault Scenic range
Prices: £15,520-£23,716 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-12
Emissions: 130-184g/km
Performance: [2.0dCi 160] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 9.4s [est]
Fuel Consumption: [1.4 TCe] (combined) 39.8mpg
Safety: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist
Dimensions: Length/Width/Height, 4340/2090/1630mm [est]

SCENIC ALL BEFORE?

Our Rating: 7.4 / 10

Renault expects big things from its latest Scenic compact MPV. By Steve Walker

The design brief that lies at the heart of any MPV is a deceptively simple one. It typically involves producing a vehicle that’s perfectly in tune with family life. The difficulty arises from the huge range of eventualities that can fall under that ‘family life’ banner. From the mundane school runs and supermarket sorties to family holidays, house moves and anything else that might crop up, a good MPV has to be prepared for almost anything. The sales success that’s befallen Renault’s Scenic over the years indicates that it has had the necessary qualities and the third generation model looks to be adopting a similarly high state of readiness.

The Scenic is of the compact MPV breed, a class of people-carrying products that are usually based on family hatchback underpinnings and sit between full-sized MPVs like Renault’s own Espace and smaller supermini-sized models, like Renault’s Modus. The Scenic is based on the Megane family hatch and if you look beneath its Citroen C4 Picasso, Vauxhall Zafira and Ford C-MAX rivals, you’ll find similar components to those in the Citroen C4, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus respectively. A key development in the compact MPV sector has been the increase of seven-seat models which basically locate two additional seats in the boot of the five-seater. The Scenic is a five-seat version but the Grand Scenic has a seven-seat capacity enabled by its extended dimensions.

Economy is obviously important for a functional family vehicle but the Scenic’s engines also need the performance to move a fully-laden vehicle with a bit of spirit. The entry-level 1.6-litre 110bhp petrol engine is likely to find this difficult but with another 20bhp, the 1.4-litre TCe 130 powerplant looks a far more compelling option. Renault’s Turbo Control efficiency technology comes into play here using turbocharging to boost the petrol engine’s performance while retaining strong economy. The final petrol option is a 140bhp 2.0-litre that operates in partnership with a CVT gearbox but it’s the diesels that are likely to attract more interest. Renault’s 1.5 dCi engine pops up here in 86 and 106bhp guises but its real strength is low running costs. Buyers wanting a punchy oil-burner can choose the dCi 130 or dCi 160 engines or opt for the automatic-only dCi 150.

The taller, bulkier dimensions of compact MPV products don’t lead you to expect the same kind of sporty driving experience offered by the family hatch that spawned them but Renault has applied much of the chassis technology found under its Megane to the Scenic. MacPherson strut front suspension is linked to an innovative horned sub frame that helps to reduce lateral movement and gives more precise steering responses. The rear set-up is based around a tough torsen beam and together, the two systems help the Scenic achieve a very low specific roll angle for a compact MPV. This is an important indication of its ability to corner in a composed manner without leaning too much. The electric power steering has also been refined to give sharper responses and greater accuracy.

There are major differences between the way the Scenic and Grand Scenic look that extend beyond the latter’s larger dimensions. While the Scenic borrows the distinctive satin chrome air-intakes of the Megane coupe and a more squat, purposeful stance, the Grand Scenic has a larger glass area and a mesh grille covering its single frontal air-intake. The seven-seat model also features distinctive boomerang-shaped rear light clusters that curl around the bottom of its rear pillars and along its flanks. The interior is where the magic happens in any MPV and both Scenic models lay-on lots of space and versatility. The second row of seats can be folded flat or removed, while the Grand Scenic’s third row can be dropped into the floor. Boot space is measured at 522 litres in the Scenic and 702 litres in the Grand Scenic with those rear-most seats folded.

There’s a massive array of storage options in the Scenic with a total of 92 litres available. Under-floor compartments, under-seat drawers, a chilled glovebox, centre console cubbies, door pockets and trays on the seat backs should help to keep the family’s paraphernalia in check. There are also three 12-volt power sockets to keep the all-important games con