Renault Scenic Range

Faced with a barrage of rivals, Renault has refreshed the Scenic. Andy Enright runs the rule over the latest models

The Renault Scenic is an easy car to underestimate. Here in the UK, we tend to affix importance to novelty. The latest is usually seen as the greatest but that isnt the case across Europe where, with metronomic reliability, Renault has claimed the best selling MPV crown every single year since 1996 thanks to the Scenic. After a decade at the top, it would be understandable if Renault was to become a little complacent.

Not a bit of it. Their latest Scenic pulls out all the stops to stay at the top of the pile.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

So whats changed this time round? The biggest alteration is to the styling, Renault giving the Scenic a nip and tuck in order to keep it looking fresh. Xenon-look headlamps, LED rear lights and revised front and rear bumper assemblies give the car a sharper, more contemporary look a million miles away from the Teletubby-soft original that took Europe by storm. The Grand Scenic model has also been revised with a five seat model offered. This neatly solves all of the people or baggage quandaries faced by many mini-MPV owners by offering five adult-sized seats and a 501 litre baggage capacity (up from 104 on the seven seat car).

Theres even another 32 litres of underfloor storage where the last row of folding seats once went. The interiors have been revised with better quality trims and theres also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors.

"Renault has developed more expertise in making mini-MPVs than any other car maker and, frankly, it shows"

The engine and transmission selection has also been augmented with the launch of a powerful 2.0-litre dCi diesel unit with 150bhp and an upgrade to a six-speed gearbox on the 1.6-litre petrol models. The slow-selling 2.

0-litre turbo petrol models have been quietly deleted. The Scenic is nobodys idea of a rorty sportster. Otherwise, petrol buyers get the choice of a 98bhp 1.4-litre entry-level unit, a 111bhp 1.

6-litre VVT unit or a 136bhp 2.0-litre with the same variable valve timing configuration. Three other diesel engines are available either an 86bhp 1.5-litre, a 106bhp 1.

5-litre or the 150bhp 2.0-litre dCi. Of the petrol engines, the 1.6-litre is a sweeter prospect than the 2.

0-litre models, while theres something to be said for all of the diesels. A weight increase of around 132kg over this Scenics predecessor takes a little of the edge from performance, but the 2.0dCi will accelerate to 60mph in 9.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 127mph.

A combined fuel economy figure of 48mpg and emissions of just 154g/km make it an affordable long-term proposition. The original Scenic was an inspired price of product design. Whilst it certainly wasnt the first car to offer this sort of versatility, it instantly captured the publics imagination. Renaults image as lateral thinking innovators was at its zenith following the success of the astonishing Espace and by scaling down the Espace proposition onto the existing Megane platform, Renault developed an instant class leader at relatively low cost.

Rivals were caught on the hop and needed some time to adjust their way of thinking to this new family-friendly format. With two clear years of breathing space before Vauxhall launched the Zafira and three before Citroen developed the Xsara Picasso, the Scenic cleaned up. Ford and Volkswagen were caught uncharacteristically a-dither, especially when Vauxhalls seven seater threw them a curve ball. These markets are inherently dynamic, however, and when these two industrial powerhouses finally got their game together, Renault knew it had to respond.

Luckily, its product development cycle was again one step ahead and the latest Scenic steals a small but crucial march on its rivals. Pricing starts at just under £14,000 and, just as in first generation guise, the basic Scenic rides on Megane running gear, offering five seats. The long wheelbase Grand Scenic is available for a premium of around £1,500 in seven-seat guise and there are mock-4x4 Conquest models to consider, but most will settle for the regular model, offering as it does a usefully larger cabin than its predecessor. Height-wise its within a centimetre of the first generation Espace, but its a significant degree longer and wider while the cabin is massively more space efficient.

How times change. The cabin feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, particularly when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but its not quite as slick as Fords diagonally sliding system.

Aside from that minor niggle though, theres very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity is a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently.

Renault has achieved a full five star Euro-NCAP crash test result for the Scenic. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard to every variant and all berths are fitted with five-point seat belts. Theres even the option of Sleep-Safe headrests, designed to protect the head and neck of 6-10 year old children in the event of an accident. One area where the Scenic has always excelled is in ride quality and this version is no different, the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways.

Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade-off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the SEAT Altea more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car-like.

More than a million Scenics have rolled from the line at Renaults Douai factory in northern France since the second generation car was launched in 2003 and this car finishes off a busy period for Renault which has seen revisions to their entire range. In truth the Scenic didnt need much doing to it. Renault have wisely chosen not to mess too fundamentally with a winning formula.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Renault Scenic range
PRICES: £13,945£20,435 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4E-10E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 137-205g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0dCi 150] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 9.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0dCi 150] (combined) 48mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm