Renault Grande Scenic Estate 2004 - Present

Available in both five and seven seat models the Renault Grande Scenic is 198 mm longer than the Renault Scenic. The 5 seater offers great boot space for those who don't want the extra seating, but the seven seater model is likely to be the most popular and will hold it's value better.

Taking it's place on the rostrum of UK MPVs the Scenic offers families the chance to take half of the school football team on away matches, although you'll need to have the smallest players in the third row of seats as there is little legroom even with the middle row slid forward. Headroom is good throughout the car and visibility is too.
If there are kits to bring along the boot space is reasonably impressive with easily enough boot space for the weekly shop and if you're able to fold the rear seats down the room is huge. There are also a good number of storage boxes throughout the cabin for other storage requirements. The underfloor storage bins in the front and second row footwells are large enough to take a pair of football boots, leaving the boot to take the kitbag.

There are two petrol engines, 1.6 and 2.0 litre and three diesels 1.5, 1.9 and 2.0 litre. As with most current cars it is the diesel engines versions that steal the show. They perform better and do so at a cheaper fuel economy. Their power delivery suits the body size and has the sort of pull needed to take 7 people to the local school playing field. The sub 10 second 0-60 achieved by the bigger diesels is almost achieved by the 2.0 petrol engine but it's fuel figures, in their mid thirties (so respectable nonetheless), are made to look distinctly average by the DCI's late forties.

The Grande manages to marry an engaging drive and a comfortable ride. The handling it spritley and suspension set up to absorb the vagaries of the road yet offer ample support while cornering. Body roll is kept to a minimum and for the top models the electronic stability control system helps keep the drama to a minimum in the event of a surprise on the road. The wind noise is supressed in most road going conditions but can creep up at motorway speeds.

The Renault Scenic Grande is a clear example that Renault is looking to offer sensible, practical cars for the new millennium. It's an entertaining drive and does what it sets out to do with little fuss. It also scores well on the Euro NCAP rating with a maximum score of 5 stars meaning that you can transport your own and other people's children with confidence.

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