Renault Scenic dCi 120 Road Test
I’m about to recommend a Renault. I have just spent a week with a Scenic dCi 120 Privilege and, far from finding faults, I enjoyed every minute of it. One reason was the cheerful, perky, free-revving 120bhp diesel engine (this one had done 8,000 miles). Another was the near perfect 6-speed gearbox. I also liked the seating position, the steering, the handling and the thoughtful design of the interior. You can lose things in there. Apart from the glovebox, there are eight separate lidded storage compartments, and a between-the-seats console box so big it could take a small dog. It might be an idea for Renault to run a valeters competition for the most unusual object found in those cubby holes during a pre-sale clean-up. The car has a flat floor so you can slide across with reasonable ease. To accomplish this Renault has adopted a dash mounted electric parking brake control which does take a bit of getting used to and might be a candidate for trouble in future. That said, it does apply the parking brakes far more firmly than a human arm, so there shouldn’t be many cases of Scenics rolling away and becoming part of the scenery. The Scenic succeeded a Megane Sport Tourer and surprised me by out-handling it. Really, there’s not much between this new Scenic and the Ford Focus C-Max. Except that the Renault boys invented this category of car, and have very obviously put everything they learned from the old Scenic into the new one. So it’s now a proper five-seater, rather than a four plus one. It has a Renault hands-free keycard, so you just walk up to the car, open the door and press a button to start the engine. No fiddling around with keys when you’re getting in or getting out. The front passenger seatback folds forwards to make a table or an extended load platform. The dash is modern, digital with the readings in the centre. There’s an optional lifting rear window so you can just dump stuff in the back without opening the big, heavy hatch. The car scored a full five stars in the NCAP crash tests. The mammoth lists down below give the equipment and spec variations, so no point in repeating them here. It’s very practical. Very comfortable. Rides well (on sensible 60 profile tyres). Handles well. Goes well. These are all aspects that can be dispassionately measured. But the thing that surprised me was that the car I drove had real character. I simply liked it. That’s not something I expected to write about a Renault. And it has a five star NCAP crash safety rating. It’s neck and neck with the Focus C-Max. And I wouldn’t criticise anyone for choosing either.

PRICE/AVAILABILITY
Authentique 1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol manual: £13,113
Authentique 1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol manual a/c: £13,613
Expression 1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol manual: £14,113
Dynamique 1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol manual: £14,613
Authentique 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual: £13,613
Authentique 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual a/c: £14,113
Expression 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual: £14,613
Dynamique 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual: £15,113
Privilege 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual: £16,113
Expression 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol automatic: £15,613
Dynamique 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol automatic: £16,113
Privilege 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol automatic: £17,113
Dynamique 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol manual: £16,313
Privilege 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol manual: £17,313
Dynamique 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol automatic: £17,313
Privilege 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol automatic: £18,313
Authentique 1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel manual: £13,813
Authentique 1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel manual a/c: £14,313
Expression 1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel manual: £14,813
Dynamique 1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel manual: £15,313
Authentique DCI 100 diesel manual: £14,713
Authentique DCI 100 diesel manual a/c: £15,213
Expression DCI 100 diesel manual: £15,713
Dynamique DCI 100 diesel manual: £16,213
Expression 1.9 DCI 120 (1,870cc) diesel manual: £16,613
Dynamique 1.9 DCI 120 (1,870cc) diesel manual: £17,113
Privilege 1.9 DCI 120 (1,870cc) diesel manual: £18,113 www.

Core Equipment
Variable power assisted steering;
double optic headlamps with ‘see me home’ function;
keyless car with Renault card and remote central locking;
integrated fuel filler cap;
digital central display with multifunction trip computer and warning system;
height and reach adjustable steering wheel;
reclining and removable rear seats;
recentering of outer rear seats;
front and rear underfloor storage;
storage trays under front seats;
rear aviation tables;
removable and adjustable rear parcel shelf;
accessory power point;
ABS with EBD;
emergency brake assist;
driver and passenger two stage auto adaptive airbags;
front and rear curtain airbags;
front lateral airbags;
front passenger airbag de-activation;
front and rear-outer passenger seatbelt pretensioners;
ISOFIX on front passenger and rear outer seats;
insurance approved engine immobiliser;
deadlocking, Renault Anti Intruder Device;
five height adjustable head restraints;
five three point seatbelts.

Standard Equipment Authentique:
Electric front windows; electric heated door mirrors;
4 x 15W RDS radio cassette player with 4 speakers and fingertip remote control;
smart rear wiper;
time delay courtesy lights;
body coloured bumpers;
‘Slate’ Grey cloth upholstery.
Additional/Replacement Equipment Expression:
Air-conditioning;
pollen filter;
4 x 15W single CD RDS radio with 6 speakers and fingertip remote control;
automatic parking brake;
electric heated door mirrors;
automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers;
electrochrome rear view mirror;
longitudinal roof bars;
map pockets on backs of front seats;
retractable luggage cover;
smart rear wiper;
one-touch electric windows front and rear
front fog lamps;
body coloured door mirrors and handles;
fully adjustable front head restraints;
front door storage with lids;
front and rear reading lights;
rear side window sunblinds;
folding front passenger seat with integrated table;
child minder mirror;
storage trays under rear seats;
sliding rear seats ‘Papyrus’ Beige cloth upholstery.
Additional/Replacement Equipment Dynamique:
16” Nervastella alloy wheels;
Thatcham 1 insurance approved alarm;
leather covered steering wheel and gearshift knob;
satin chrome door handles;
‘Laser’ Charcoal Grey Cloth with Grey Accent Upholstery.

Additional/Replacement Equipment Privilege:
Sliding centre storage unit with integrated armrests,
courtesy lights,
accessory powerpoint and cupholders;
16” Reinastella alloy wheels;
underseat mounted 6-CD multichanger;
hands-free Renault card;
electrically folding door mirrors;
front carpet mats;
16” Reinastella alloy wheels;
drivers sunglasses holder;
illuminated vanity mirrors;
‘Wicker’ Beige part-leather upholstery.

Sample options where not fitted as standard:
Air-conditioning and pollen filter £500
17” Nervasport alloy wheels £250
Carminat turn by turn Satnav system £1,000
Cruise control with speed limiter £250
Parking sensor £250
Hands-free Renault card and electric folding mirrors £250
Telephone pre-equipment £250
Opening tailgate window £150
Handling pack (ESP, ASR and understeer control) £750
Luxury pack (Leather, sunroof, heated seats) £1,200

Warranty:
2 years unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty topped up by further year to 60,000 mile dealer warranty. 3 year paintwork warranty. 12 year no perforation body warranty.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol: 72kW (98bhp) at 6,000 rpm; 127Nm (94 lb ft) torque at 3,750 rpm.
1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol: 83kW (115bhp) at 6,000 rpm; 152Nm (112 lb ft) torque at 4,200 rpm.
2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol: 98.5kW (136bhp) at 5,500 rpm; 191Nm (141 lb ft) torque at 3,750 rpm.
1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel: 60kW (80bhp) at 4,000 rpm; 185Nm (136 lb ft) torque at 2,000 rpm.
1.9 DCI 120 (1,870cc) diesel: 88kW (120bhp) at 4,000 rpm; 300Nm (221 lb ft) torque at 2,000 rpm.
(5-speed JR5 manual on 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.5 diesel; 6-speed NDo manual on 2.0 petrol and 1.9 diesel; 4-speed DPo auto optional on 1.6 and 2.0 petrol.)

DIMENSIONS
Length: 4,259 mm (14’ 0”)
Width (not including mirrors): 1,810 mm (5’ 11”) Width (including mirrors): 2,087 mm (6’ 10”)
Height (without roof bars): 1,620 mm (5’ 4”)
Luggage capacity (seats up, rear seats back): 430 litres Luggage capacity (rear seats removed): 1,840 litres
Kerb weight: 1,320 – 1,430 (excluding driver)
Maximum tow (12% gradient): 1,300kg

PERFORMANCE, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS
1.4 16v 98 (1,390cc) petrol manual: 0-60 14.0 seconds; top speed 108 mph;
combined mpg: 38.7; CO2 emissions: 175 g/km (Band B: £125pa VED), IG 4E. 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol manual: 0-60 12.2 seconds; top speed 115 mph; combined mpg: 39.2; CO2 emissions: 172 g/km (Band B: £125pa VED), IG 6E. 1.6 VVT 115 (1,598cc) petrol automatic: 0-60 14.0 seconds; top speed 109 mph; combined mpg: 35.3; CO2 emissions: 191 g/km (Band D: £160pa VED), IG 6E. 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol manual: 0-60 10.0 seconds; top speed 121 mph; combined mpg: 35.3; CO2 emissions: 192 g/km (Band D: £160pa VED), IG 8E. 2.0 VVT 136 (1,998cc) petrol automatic: 0-60 10.6 seconds; top speed 118 mph; combined mpg: 32.8; CO2 emissions: 205 g/km (Band D: £160pa VED), IG 8E. 1.5 DCI 80 (1,461cc) diesel manual: 0-60 15.4 seconds; top speed 103 mph; combined mpg: 56.5; CO2 emissions: 135 g/km (Band AD: £115pa VED), IG 4E. 1.9 DCI 120 (1,870cc) diesel manual: 0-60 10.4 seconds; top speed 117 mph; combined mpg: 48.7; CO2 emissions: 154 g/km (Band BD: £135pa VED), IG 7E.