In the world of MPV’s the Renault Grand Scenic is one of the most popular people carriers on sale thanks to its blend of sharp looks, comfort and a spacious interior.
Not only is it available with seven seats, it offers great interior space along with an abundance of storage compartments and some genuinely useful family-friendly features such as Sleep Safe headrests to support the necks of snoozing youngsters. There is a wide range of engines available with a choice of three petrol and four diesel engines, including two newcomers a 1.4-litre, 130bhp petrol turbo and a 2.0-litre, 160bhp turbo diesel.
The more powerful petrol and diesel engines come with a six-speed gearbox while a semi-automatic transmission is optional. The engine range deliver strong torque and power from low engine speeds across a broad rev band in all driving conditions. Every day running costs are between 20 and 30 % lower than for comparable powertrains in the previous generation model.
With a high ride height and adjustable seats including headrests, everything is at hand to make your drive be it driver or passenger as comfortable as possible. Finding a good driving position is easy thanks to a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and height. The front screen is now huge, pushing the front pillar back and out to give a wrap around affect that’s good for the view out and brings plenty of light inside. Driving is smooth and easy thanks to light, well-weighted gears and pedals. There is a refreshing ease of use to all the various controls, the interior is roomy to say the least particularly in driver and passenger seat where you can fully stretch your legs and your arms. Seating is comfortable and the whole interior is well designed. The centrally mounted LED instruments are clear and easy to read while the controls are all logically laid out and easy to use, as is the electronic handbrake. As you would want from a carmaker leading on safety, this Renault’s up to the mark, packing six airbags and a full set of other safety and driver aids.
Even though the new Renault Grand Scenic is longer, wider, taller and sits on a longer wheelbase, it manages to seem more car-like, which is precisely what the designers were aiming at. On the open road, the Grand Scenic handles safely and predictably, with decent body control and a cushioned ride that irons out road imperfections well. It's great at eating up motorway miles and quite happy bustling along country lanes too. Thanks to low noise levels and a smooth ride, the Scenic is great for passengers. It doesn't roll round corners either so those in the back won't end up feeling ill after a journey down country lanes. There's plenty of room in the second row of seats for adult passengers, with generous legroom while the seats slide back to increase room further.
The third row is best for children but it still offers good headroom. Even with the third row of seats in place on seven seat models, (they fold into the floor when not needed); there is still enough boot space for a weekly food shop for a family of four. In five-seat configuration, the boot is massive and the middle row slides for extra boot or leg space - in addition, Renault has made the most of storage space wherever possible.
This includes under floor storage bins in each of the front and second-row footwells, and on some models, a large sliding storage box between the front seats and foldout picnic trays in the back. Five seat models get extra underfloor storage space in the boot. The new Grand Scenic does everything you’d expect of it with the usual flair, combining proper MPV flexibility and practicality with high comfort levels and respectable driving dynamics.
