Used car tests

Used buyer's guide: Renault Scenic

The Renault Scenic compact MPV is comfortable and affordable to run

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28 May 2013

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What to look for?

• Only the range-topping Privilege has rear parking sensors as standard; they’re an optional extra on all other models.• All Scenics come with five seats, while all Grand Scenics feature seating for seven as standard.• It’s a tight squeeze fitting seven adults into a Grand Scenic – the third row is only really suitable for children.

None of the engines is weak. About a third of Scenics run on petrol power, but four out of five Grand Scenics are diesels. The 2.0-litre petrol car, discontinued in 2011, was fitted exclusively with a CVT gearbox, while the 2.0 dCi 150 also featured an automatic transmission only. Expression and Extreme trims are spartan, so aim for at least a Dynamique, which gets alloys, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and Bluetooth.

Recalls

Reassuringly, even though the third-generation Scenic and Grand Scenic have been on the market for four years, neither has been the subject of a single recall so far. That’s a big leap forward over the previous generation, on sale between 2003 and 2009, which was recalled on no fewer than four occasions.

Driver Power

Our viewFourth place in our Driver Power 2013 survey underlines the progress Renault has made in recent years. Owners love the Scenic and Grand Scenic for their running costs, ride quality, practicality and technology. There’s still room for improvement on build quality and reliability, though.

Your viewCheryl Denwood from Rugby, Warks, is hooked on her 2011 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi. “It’s far better than the MkII version I owned before – much better to drive, better built and more reliable,” she explained. “I like the economy and refinement, too. Even with my family of five aboard, it goes well.”