The Renault Scenic has been a firm favorite of the expanding family and those with a dodgy hip over the years due to its versatility and ease of access. This fourth generation model, recently launched, affirms Renault still understands the SUV market.
With a vast amount of equipment on-board as standard the all-new Scenic is more spacious, much better looking outside and vastly improved inside along with a fantastic range of engine options being available.
The model range starts from £21,605 with an ‘Expression+’ which comes with 20” alloy wheels, active emergency braking with pedestrian detection, air conditionions, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high/low beam as well as cruise control and 7” touchscreen which incorporates FM/AM/DAB radio and Bluetooth.
A ‘Dynamique Nav’ changes the wheel style and adds fatigue alert, front & rear parking sensors, ambient lighting & a driving mode select whilst the infotainment system gets TomTom LIVE services with western maps, voice control and 3D navigation with pricing from £23,105.
Next up is the ‘Dynamique S Nav’ from £25,105 which adds a head-up display, rear parking camera, two-tone upper/lower half paintwork, panoramic roof with electric blind and an increased touchscreen size to 8.7”.
The range topping ‘Signature Nav’ retains the 20” alloy wheels of all other models but offers a different design along with full LED headlight with “see me home function” and a napper leather steering wheel.
Starting from £26,605 the ‘Signature Nav’ also offers electrically adjustable front seating with rear mounted tables (for rear passengers to use) and extra storage pockets whilst the driver seat comes with a memory function.
Engine wise a single 1.2L turbocharged petrol is on offer mated to a six-speed manual gearbox only, with two outputs available being 115hp and 130hp whilst a pair of diesel engines start with a 1.5L turbocharged unit producing 110hp with the option of manual or dual clutch auto ‘box.
The 1.6L turbocharged diesel power-train comes with either 130hp in manual only or 160hp with the dual clutch auto only and finally the 1.5L 110hp diesel comes with a hybrid assist option giving it a 10kW boost but with the extra weight and manual only ‘box it performs exactly the same as the diesel only variant.
This model tested and pictured thanks to Charles Hurst Renault, Boucher Road, Belfast is the ‘Dynamique S Nav – 130 dCi – six-speed manual’ and although I feel the marginally lesser ‘Dynamique Nav’ will be the most popular model on the roads – this model tested is certainly well kitted out.
Having got over the shock that the all-new Scenic comes with 20” alloy wheels across the range as standard I admired the dual-tone paint as well as panoramic roof and noted a lot of the previously mentioned equipment on this model.
Keyless entry allowed me to put all of my camera gear into the sizable boot which would easily cope with family-life and an active-life as well as a few soggy springers with ease and enough room for a months shopping.
One thing Renault do well is ultra-supportive and ultra-comfortable seats and having owned a Megane Coupe a decade ago I always found it hard to find a car seat that was as good so it was reassuring when I clambered into the cabin that the Scenic continues this trend.
Finished in half leather the cabin looks great with huge amounts of storage throughout and even the central console and armrest slides back and forth and one large piece offering that sought after versatility when combined with the fully adjustable seating throughout.
A large screen sits in the centre of the dash which is the hub of all the audio and media as well as doubling up as the main control unit for the climate control, driving modes and mood lighting.
In my comfortable driving position I found the screen a bit of a reach and a little over complicated to use but the features available are great and on a run to Carlingford for brunch one Sunday afternoon the Sat-Nav worked great as did media streaming from my phone.
Fitted with the 1.6L 130dCi engine and six-speed manual gearbox this model covered 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds and returned close to 60mpg over mixed driving even after playing with the varying driving modes on offer.
Mood lighting inside changes per mode and they are as follows: personal (pink) – neutral (nude) – eco (green) – comfort (blue) – sport (red). Each mode offers different ECU settings to suit the style of driving and journey you are on.
Overall the Scenic was pleasant and much more car-like in its agility than previous generations which is welcomed and the Renault offers a great alternative to the likes of Citroens C4 Picasso or Peugeot’s 3008.
With Renault you get a 2 year unlimited mileage | 4 year 100k mile warranty with 4 years roadside assistance and 3 years EU roadside assistance with attractive finance options available to best suit your needs.
Words & Photos: Graham Curry
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