‘The original compact MPV. Should we be grateful for that though?'
Our verdict
Despite spawning a fiercely contested niche in versatile family motoring, the Renault Scenic continues to be one of the best. It’s good to drive, clever inside and still pretty good value.
Comfort
The Scenic's set up copes admirably with dodgy British roads, smoothing out the bumps without feeling too soft. Unstressed diesel engines are also pleasingly refined at motorway speeds.
Performance
The new 2.0-litre dCi diesel is the pick of a broad bunch of powerplants. It's torque makes for comfortable, lazy but above all economical distance driving, made all the better by a new six-speed gearbox.
Cool
Buying a Scenic is the irrefutable admission that you are now a family man. That's cool in itself in this day and age, but absolutely nothing about your wheels is going to convince people of it.
Quality
Vastly improved over the slightly shabby original, the current Scenic seems very well put together. Interior plastics are soft-touch, nicely textured and interestingly styled. It is French though, so we'd still be a bit wary.
Handling
With underpinnings from the Megane hatchback, the Scenic has a head start in the handling stakes. The extra height and weight means it'll pitch and roll a bit in fast corners, but overall it's a composed and grippy chassis.
Practicality
The regular Scenic is a decent, and flexible, five-seater, while the Grand Scenic bumps that up to seven seats, but with the occasional third row only ever big enough for children.
Running costs
Not much to worry about here. Insurance can be very reasonable, those diesel engines are strong and economical, and the Scenic's comparative desirability should keep residual values pretty high.
TG Tips
The seven-seat ‘Grand’ is as spacious as it needs to be for that third row.








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