Renault Scenic 1.5 dCi

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, seems to be Renault’s approach to the latest Scenic. This newest compact MPV offers the extensive space and practicality that made the old Scenic so successful.

Renault’s designers have remained conservative in their styling too with subtle changes rather than a complete re-design. Upright taillights and a bolder front end give a slightly more aggressive and modern appearance.

Meanwhile, inside the cabin the TomTom Edition we drove (Dyanmique spec plus Carminat TomTom) came with all electric windows, electric parking brake, automatic lights and wipers and a wireless key with start button ignition.

The TFT screen that replaces the dials is easy to read and, along with high quality build materials, adds a real sense of luxury to the cabin. Class-leading legroom and 437 litres of boot space give plenty of space for passengers and packages.

On the road the 1.5 dCi 106 that we drove was flexible, smooth and seemed quite happy lugging about the 1.4-tonne MPV. Body-roll is countered with firm suspension and thicker anti-roll bars allowing for confident cornering at high speeds. A lowered damping rate ensures a comfortable ride.

With an ‘On the Road’ price of £18,055 this dCi 106 TomTom we drove isn’t cheap, but it may be cheapest to run with a combined cycle of 57.6mpg while emitting 130g/km of carbon dioxide.