Renault Scenic dCi 2008 Review

What we liked
>> Vision
>> Interior flexibility and space
>> Low noise levels

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

But new car buyers -- especially those looking for stylish family cars -- dismiss the marque to their own detriment. For example, la Regie's Golf-rivalling hatch, the Megane may have a big bum but it's an engaging drive and provides a clever blend of space and grace. In the latest sedan version to be offered in Oz, it also presents as good value thanks to a revised pricetag and extra equipment.

So to the maker's Scénic Phase II range of two-box family trucksters... The peoplemover-cum-wagon range is one of the hidden gems within the Renault line-up, albeit in a segment that has never set pulses racing Down Under.

The reality is Scénic sells in dozens rather than hundreds locally. In its home market, however, it is one of the brand's top performers. Given the versatility of the vehicle and the amount of 'people room' it manages to pack into its hatch-plus-a-touch footprint, it's little wonder.

And now Renault has given Aussie families a good reason to give the Scénic another look -- a frugal yet far from weedy turbodiesel powerplant. And oui, Virginia, it is matched to an auto gearbox.

The new Scénic II dCi arrives in five-seat Expression trim as an auto-only and is priced from $37,990 -- slotting in below the Grand Scénic.

It is powered by the same 1.9-litre 96kW/250Nm turbodiesel engine as the Megane dCi, coupled with (you guessed it), a four-speed automatic gearbox. No seven-seat dCi version will be offered, says Renault Australia.

The dCi's Expression trim level features include cruise control (with speed limiter), automatic headlamps and wipers, electronic park brake, electric mirrors and windows and 16-inch steel wheels with trims. Like all Scénics, the dCi comes equipped with stability control, antilock brakes and dual front, side and curtain airbags plus seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters as standard.

For the record, the Dynamique models add an upgraded audio system with a six-disc in-dash stacker, enhanced interior and exterior trim items (chrome accents outside, and leather within) and 16-inch alloys. In addition, the Grand Scénic adds rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloys.

Factory fitted options include a leather-trimmed interior (Dynamique models only) and an electric panoramic sunroof (all models). Metallic paint is optional ($700).

The dCi's powerplant is a turbocharged SOHC four-cylinder common-rail diesel and features direct injection and balance shafts. The turbo itself is worth a mention -- featuring the latest variable geometry technology.

The engine delivers 250Nm of torque at 1600rpm with its peak power of 96kW generated at 4250rpm -- relatively high revs for a diesel. These stats compare to 191Nm of torque at 3750rpm and 98kW at 5500rpm for the 2.0-litre DOHC petrol-engined Scénic models.

The Scénic dCi has a measured ADR81/01 combined fuel consumption of 7.1L/100km; 1.5L/100km better than its petrol stablemates. There's a commensurate improvement in CO2 emissions -- the Scénic dCi produces 188g/km compared to the petrol's 205g.

PACKAGING
It's the Scénic's clever 'upright' packaging and two-box configuration that yields its space and versatility.

The Scénic rides on 60mm longer wheelbase than the Megane hatch (2685 v 2625mm), yet is less than 50mm longer overall. Width and track are a few millimeters here and there, but the peoplemover is 162mm taller.

All five passengers therefore sit more upright, but the trade-off is much easy access (thanks to the Scénic's raised seat heights -- 'H-point' in car speak) and a swag of added storage and seating options. The Scénic will swallow 400 litres of luggage.

Up front conventional buckets are split by a sliding centre console unit which incorporates armrests, courtesy lights, an accessory power point, removable cupholder module and a 15-litre storage bin with 'rolltop' cover.

No space is given over to a conventional park brake or gearlever. The latter is dash-mounted and the park brake electronic.

The second row meantime is made up of three individual seats that can be folded, slid fore and aft (two outer positions) and/or removed to yield a number of combinations.

Airline-style tray tables are mounted on the rear of the front seats and each outer rear seat has an under-cushion storage tray. In the front there are underseat trays plus floor bins on both sides of the car and a large (17-litre) glovebox. Mums and dads will appreciate the roof-mounted 'child minder' mirror.

Unlike some of its sedan counterparts, the Scénic manages to deliver great all round visibility -- for driver and passengers alike. The relative H-points combine with a low beltline to give even little people a decent view.

The Grand Scénic is 230mm longer than the five-seat models -- the extra length shared between the wheelbase (50mm) and rear overhang (180mm). The model retains the five-seater's layout but adds two third-row seats that can be deployed or stowed individually.

In seven-seat configuration, Grand Scénic provides 200 litres luggage capacity, however, this grows to 600 litres with the third-row seats folded flat into the loadspace floor.

The company espouses a three-pronged safety strategy in its vehicles: prevent, correct and protect.

It claims the Scenic's control layout minimises distractions with key controls at the fingertips thanks to a multi-function wheel and 'satellite' steering column controls. Driver vision is also high point for the Scenic -- and a fillip for active safety. The Scenic has better sightlines than most sedans.

Stability control is standard and features Renault's own "understeer control" system. Traction control and MSR (which Renault says "prevents the driven wheels from locking when the driver lifts his or her foot from the throttle pedal or when slowing on slippery road surfaces") are also fitted to all Scenic variants.

All Scenic models get six airbags, including full length curtain bags plus the latest generation 8.0 Bosch ABS antilock brakes which feature electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

Under heavy braking, the hazard warning lights are automatically activated.

It should be noted that only the five-seat Scenic models have gained a EuroNCAP five star rating. According to Renault: "The Grand Scénic has not been tested by EuroNCAP but has been designed to the same stringent criteria."

COMPETITORS
Renault Australia believes the Scenic struggles to find a direct competitor and suggests the Mercedes B-Class is the closest of the current crop.

We're not as conflicted and would name vehicles like the Citroen C4 Picasso, Mitsubishi Grandis, Toyota Avensis. Also, Honda Odyssey and VW's Caddy Life as alternates. You could even add Skoda's innovative Roomster if you are feeling eclectic.

The above list is a mix of five and seven-seat MPVs. The C4 Picasso is a particular favourite of ours and fits in with the Gallic theme. Like the VW and Skoda (a five-seater) it also offers a turbodiesel engine option.

Another up and comer in this segment is Kia's compact Rondo. Starting at under $25,000, if Kia's push to improved quality continues the "part-SUV, part-MPV, part-wagon and part-hatch" could throw a spanner in the Scenic's works -- especially if the Korean brand chooses to add a diesel-engined model to its local offer.

The Scenic is attractive enough to appeal to buyers of 'conventional' five-door hatches and wagons, say Renault execs. We're inclined to agree. They also assert the more upright, semi-SUV-style driving position of the Scenic could prove attractive to the CRV-set, but we wouldn't bank on it.

And again we're inclined to agree with Monsieur Koenig -- once you're in the driver's or passenger seat, the Scenic changes from a theoretical purchase to a much more logical buy.

The driver has great vision and a comfortable, if a touch bus-like, driving position. Wheel adjustment is tilt-only and the steering is heavier than you'd get in an Asian-sourced MPV -- but better for it.

The Scenic's dash features an almost car-wide upper eyebrow under which the main gauges are positioned. It's very clearly designed for the left-hand drive home market, sloping as it does to the right-hand side of the car, but works well enough. Its digital gauges are not our cup of tea but the information provided is clear enough once you're familiar with the layout.

Dash plastics are of a high quality and are well fitted, with the exception of the pod upon which the gearlever 'lives'. This unit seems to be a grade below the main panels and on the tester we drove was ill-fitting.

This is a shame because overall, Renault cabins are increasingly pleasant places to spend time. We're looking forward to sampling the latest generation Laguna later this year for this reason alone.

The Scenic's turbodiesel engine is unobtrusive at idle, but clearly an oiler with some rattle and gruffness on start-up. On takeoff, there's noticeable turbocharger lag.

Once moving this is something that the four-speed auto does little to disguise. Indeed, thanks to the wide ratio spread of the four-speeder, the lag is pronounced during around town running and little better on the open road. The end result is you often need to resort to changing gears manually to get the best out of the powerplant.

Our test drive was too short to get any real indications of fuel figures but it appears the four-speeder doesn't allow the engine to show its best in economy terms, either.

If ever there was a diesel engine that cried out for a positive, clever, modern, close-ratio six-speed auto (a la Citroen or Peugeot's Aisin-sourced units) -- it's this one.

The second-row accommodation of the dCi Scenic is commodious, though the centre seat is a touch narrow for adults. Access is great thanks to long, wide-opening conventional hinged doors. There's none of the indignity of sliding 'van' doors for the second row here.

Parents will like the fact they can secure youngsters into child seats and the like without bending their backs like a fast bowler in a 20:20 stoush.

This Renault gets points for its calm, resolved ride and good cornering manners. You can drive the dCi like a 'normal' hatch and experience none of the histrionics some tall-boy MPVs exhibit.

It's not designed to rival its R26 stablemate hot hatch but provides a safe, yet engaging drive.

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