Roy Lewis roadtests the Renault Scenic (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis roadtests the Renault Scenic

7:00am Saturday 30th January 2010 in

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FIERCE battles have been waged in the popular multi-purpose-vehicle sector with several manufacturers producing pioneering ideas that have wrong-footed the competition.

Renault, which started the space race with the Scenic back in 1996, found itself toppled from the leading spot on a few occasions by cars with inventive features, but the company bounced back with impressive revisions.

Once again its experience and skill in producing family shuttles shines through in the latest Scenic, the third generation, which incorporates just about all that is good in a compact family vehicle.

Prices for the five-door Scenic start at a competitive £14,702 (on the road) for the 110hp 1.6-litre petrol in Extreme trim, the lowest of the four specification levels, to £23,636 for the Privilege Tom Tom automatic model which houses a flexible 150hp diesel unit and is loaded with hi-tech wizardry.

The Scenic belongs to the Megane family and although it is still largely based on that model, it was set apart for special MPV treatment and soon became a big seller.

In fact, since its debut it has consistently ranked as Europe’s most popular people carrier, with total sales now exceeding the 3.3 million mark.

The new model is a better looker with both smooth and sharp individual lines and delivers more interior space, comfort and performance than ever before.

The engine choice is excellent with eight units (three petrol and five diesel), including debuts of two new Renault engines, a 1.4-litre TCe (turbo control efficiency) and a Euro-5 compliant 2.0-litre dCi, plus a recently-introduced 2.0-litre VVT with 140hp and continuously variable transmission. Four eco versions are available.

The new Scenic drives like a saloon car and rides better than before, too, thanks to an improved suspension design and a chassis which is a lot stiffer torsionally than the previous car.

The stiffer underpinnings make for a composed but fairly taut ride with little body roll. More adaptable steering wheel and driver’s seat adjustments make it easier for all drivers to find a comfortable position.

While the line-up of petrol and diesel engines is designed to suit most pockets and workloads, one of the favourites has to be the whisperquiet 1.9-litre turbo diesel which offers such an excellent blend of performance with economy.

It’s quick off the mark with a 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds, has outstanding pulling power up through the gears and goes on accelerating to a top speed of 121mph. It’s a flexible unit, too, and however hard you seem to drive, the 1.9-litre manages an everyday average of around 50mpg.

There is also plenty of praise for the modern and clever interior.

With the longer wheelbase, there is more room for everyone on board, with the best-in-class knee room for second row passengers. There are in all as many as 40 handy stowage areas in addition to a large boot of 522 litres, which can swallow the family luggage.

Conveniently, each seat in the second row slides back and forth independently and each can be folded or removed to create more space.

The bigger Grand Scenic model goes one better with a third row of seats which are neatly stored in the boot floor and can be brought into use simply by pulling a strap.

Safety is paramount with Renault and the Scenic’s features include six airbags, large disc brakes all round, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and electronic stability programme with understeer control.

Even the entry-level Scenic in Extreme trim gets air conditioning, front electric windows, keyless entry and TunePoint for connecting portable music players while the top specification, Dynamique Tom Tom, has a list of equipment long enough to fill a book. Besides the core features, the items include navigation, dual-zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, rear parking sensors, sliding central storage unit, MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, a speed limiter and Renault’s hands-free keycard.

For practically-minded families there are splendid passenger and luggage permutations, good build, performance with economy, classy interior and generous equipment.

AT-A-GLANCE

New Renault Scenic 1.9D Dynamique Tom Tom 130hp 5-seat 6-speed manual.

Price: £20,061 (on the road).

Top speed: 121mph.

0-62mph: 10.9 seconds.

Fuel: 51.4mpg (combined figure).

Emissions C02 (g/km): 145.

Verdict: Excellent choice for practicallyminded families, splendid passenger and luggage permutations, good build, performance with economy, classy interior and generously equipped.