2017 Renault Scenic goes back to its roots

Original incarnations of the Renault Scenic was a brilliant take on the family car. Sadly over the years it just seems to have lost its way a little bit and whilst it remained a good family drive it just didn’t have that ground-breaking appeal that it once had. However, we have to say that 4th generation has finally got its mojo back.

Now into its 4th generation the all new Scenic has the practicality and family friendliness that were its hallmarks. However, now it comes with an all-important dose of style! It’s streamlined, well-proportioned and has a sporty athletic look thanks in-part to its 20 inch wheels which, by the way, are standard on all models. It’s fantastic to see the Scenic looking so fresh and so modern after so many years of looking quite frankly unremarkable. Of course, for many buyers it’s not what’s going on on the outside that matters but what’s happening on the inside.



While it’s not unappealing on the inside sadly it doesn’t have the same kind of appeal as the exterior. The thing that really hits you straight away is just how dark it is and how much black plastic there is around the place. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fantastic expansive windscreen and beautiful panoramic sunroof then you’d actually find it quite oppressive. One thing we do really like about the interior is the simple elegant layout where everything is based around a central control panel. You’ve got a touchscreen multimedia system which sits nicely at the top which by the way is intuitive and really easy to navigate your way around. When it comes to the build quality the feel and fit is very good and feels like it’s really built to last.



With regards to trim levels there are three available and even the standard trim is really well equipped. Every car from Expression+ upwards comes with dual-zone climate control and a 7 inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity and a pair of 12v power points. You also get an adjustable steering column, a height adjustable driver’s seat, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers along with power folding heated door mirrors. The leather steering wheel simply adds to the quality feel of the interior. You may want to opt for the Leather Pack Premium which as the name suggests gives you leather front seats.

With regards to practicality, the glovebox isn’t a bad size however the door bins could certainly be a bit wider and the same goes for the cup holders. The central console provides you with a brilliant well sized illuminated compartment which is handy for storing your phone and other bits and bobs. The best thing however is that not only do you get a couple of handy USB ports but the entire console moves back and forth so that you can give the back seat passengers more room should they need it.

When you sit in the back seats not only do you find added space when the central console is moved forward but your seats also move back and forth providing you with extra space should you need it. In the back you’ll also find a power outlet and two USB ports along with a really useful storage compartment at the back of the central console. There are also four underfloor storage compartments that give you extra space.



When it comes to boot space it’s as you’d expect – very good. It’s larger than its rivals and if you slide the back seats forwards then you get even more space. The false floor is handy for storing valuables and the back seats fold with a clever one touch operation. However, the really clever part is that you can also fold the rear seats from sitting in the driver’s seat via the multimedia system. It just takes the touch of a few buttons and you’ll see them automatically drop down behind you.



Another thing we found impressive with the Renault Scenic was the level of driver assistance systems that you get as standard. Here we’re talking about technology like an emergency breaking system that also detects pedestrians. Incidentally, the Scenic is the first MPV to have this feature fitted as standard along with more technology to make sure that you stay in your lane and traffic sign recognition. This has all come together to earn the Scenic a well-deserved 5-star rating from safety experts Euro NCAP which of course is exactly what you need when you’re in the market for a family car.



When it comes to engines there’s a 1.2 litre petrol engine along with two diesels. The 1.5 litre diesel is probably the one to go for as it’s frugal while being pleasingly quiet and refined. What really strikes us about the Renault Scenic is what an easy car this is to just get in and drive. The steering is precise and you don’t get the body-roll going into corners that you’d often associate with and MPV. The gearbox is nice and smooth allowing you to move up through the gears with ease. The only downside is that the 1.5 diesel unit isn’t quite punchy enough and you really do have to consider your overtaking carefully.

So, what do we thing about the Renault Scenic. Well, so often really good cars just fizzle out and eventually fade away. However, it’s great to see this once ground-breaking car fantastically back on form. What’s really pleasing about it is that whilst it’s definitely fresh and modern it still remains true to those practical MPV roots.