Introduction

The Renault Scenic remains one of the most well-known family car names around and is still largely recognised as the car that popularised traditional people carrier MPVs.

But since MPVs are not exactly renowned for their styling, and more and more family car buyers are being lured by fashionable crossover options, Renault recognised it really needed to make its next Scenic stand out.

Their efforts do show, as the new Scenic is one of the most stand-out MPVs we’ve seen, with its sleeker, lower roofline, a redesigned face which is reminiscent of Renault’s popular Captur and bold new 20-inch wheels.

But while the Scenic has an intriguing new look, it also needs to deliver on improvements to cabin quality, equipment and engines, to ensure it keeps up with modern family cars inside and outside the MPV sector.

The Scenic wants to compete with five-seater MPVs from both premium and non premium brands, so its rival list features the likes of the Ford C-MAX, Citroen C4 Picasso, Volkswagen Golf SV and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

Performance

From launch, there’s a selection of 1.6-litre diesel and 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines to choose from. A diesel-hybrid variant will join the line-up from spring 2017 onwards.

We tested the dCi diesel unit in its 108bhp guise mated to its standard six-speed manual gearbox. You can get a seven-speed EDC automatic ‘box as an option.

While the Scenic’s diesel is also available with outputs of 128bhp and 158bhp, the 108bhp version is expected to be the best-selling unit. This engine, which has 260Nm of torque, does provide decent pull from the initial get-go and feels flexible enough in the majority of situations.

You do have to work the engine somewhat on uphill sections though and you need a fair few revs for most overtakes too. For those reasons, you may want to look at the more powerful versions of the diesel, although the difference in performance with the 128bhp version feels very marginal.

Ride and Handling

When we looked at the big 20-inch wheels of the new Renault Scenic, we thought they looked great, but we were also concerned about how they’d affect ride quality. But it turns out the ride is not as stiff as you might anticipate.

It can get somewhat bouncy on roads covered in bumps or other undulations, depending on how fast you're going, but for the most part the Scenic’s drive, it is a pleasingly smooth one. The engine is quiet at all speeds, although you do get a fair amount of wind noise at higher speeds.

The steering has a decent amount of weight to it and there’s good grip levels, which make you feel confident whether you’re on a congested city road or country lane. It’s not quite as grippy or dynamic as a C-MAX or 2 Series Active Tourer, but what it lacks in fun factor it makes up for in comfort.

It can get somewhat bouncy on roads covered in bumps or other undulations, depending on how fast you're going, but for the most part the Scenic’s drive is a pleasingly smooth one.

Did you know?

When the first-generation Scenic was introduced, it was considered innovative enough to win the European Car of the Year award in 1997.

Interior and Equipment

While the Scenic’s exterior is really eye-catching, the cabin feels for the most part quite conservative, with reasonable quality but unassuming dark plastics scattered about the place.

Still, the 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen display from the R-Link 2 multimedia system looks smart and is easy enough to use. Headroom is plentiful all-round but legroom can be tight for adults in the rear seats if they are six-foot or taller.

A neat feature though is that the centre console is adjustable, meaning you can slide it forwards or backwards to create more room for anyone sitting in the central rear seat. The storage compartments dotted around the cabin are deep and plentiful and the large glass windows provide good visibility, even though the front windscreen is steeply raked.

Boot space at the back is class-leading as there’s 572 litres worth of storage room as standard.

You get a decent amount of equipment as standard too, with the likes of DAB radio, Bluetooth and automatic dual-zone air conditioning included on all entry-level models. Above that is Dynamique Nav, the Dynamique S Nav trim we tested and the range-topping Signature Nav.

Go for Dynamique S Nav and you get the R-Link 2 system we mentioned earlier, which includes sat-nav, automatic headlights, tinted rear windows and a panoramic sunroof.

Cost

The Renault Scenic starts from £21,445 while the specification we tested starts at £25,445. Pricing-wise, it roughly slots in below premium brand MPVs but above most of the non-premium offerings.

Also, most of the options you’re most likely to be interested in (like metallic paint or the optional parking and safety packs) add £500 or more to the car’s price.

But saving on fuel bills is the main reason many will go for the 108bhp diesel, competing well with the greenest models in the MPV market. With the manual ‘box installed, this version of the Scenic officially averages 72.4mpg combined and emits just 100g/km of CO2.

Most of the options you’re most likely to be interested in (like metallic paint or the optional parking and safety packs) add £500 or more to the car’s price.

Our Verdict

The Renault Scenic is a noticeable step forward, not just in terms of design, but in most other areas too.

Some rivals drive a little better and have more sophisticated cabins, but overall it feels as though the Renault does a decent, if not always spectacular job, in all the areas that matter most to MPV buyers. It handles well, it’s spacious enough for a family and the diesel is a frugal option.

Renault has pulled out all the stops to make its Scenic look bold and relevant in what is a tough family car market. But importantly, the manufacturer hasn’t ditched substance for that style.