It scores plus points in the eyes of many motorists by offering a combination of interior space, utility and economy that has not previously been available at any price. This broad appeal has been enhanced by the choice of 1,4-, 1,6- and 2,0-litre petrol engines.
The Scénic 1,9 dCI is a recent addition to the range. It is fitted with a detuned version of the Renault diesel engine available in the Laguna, and in this form develops its maximum torque at only 1 500 r/min. This is immediately apparent when taking the wheel, because the engine will pull hard in any gear above this speed. The revolutions build unenthusiastically to 4 000 r/min, and then slowly to a maximum of 4 750, which is about the limit for most diesels.
The car accelerates briskly, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 12,73 seconds, practically the same as for the 1,6-litre petrol model, which has a slightly more powerful engine. Interestingly enough, the diesel’s top speed of 180 is 6 km/h higher than the 1600, but the standing kilometre time is slightly off the 34,35 seconds of the petrol Scénic.
Frequent gear changes are seldom necessary, and the extremely light clutch combines with a positive gearlever action to make the whole process effortless. This makes the diesel Scénic a very easy car to drive in traffic. Our fuel index figure is based on a test route that includes freeways, heavy traffic and hills, so that the 7,38 litres/100 km quoted in the panel represents the worst an owner can expect. In fact, cruising at 120 km/h should return a consumption comfortably under 7 litres/100 km.
An aid to driving comfort is the high seating position, dictated by the unusual body design, which uses height to create space. In fact, the spacious interior and intelligent placement of controls and storage spaces, enhance this model’s charm. The driver’s left foot has a substantial and well-positioned rest, so that it’s possible for most people to find a very relaxing driving position, where the feet, legs and bottom are comfortable when travelling for long periods. Interior sound levels are well suppressed.
The engine has, obviously, benefited from the enormous amount of research that the European manufacturers have been doing on diesel combustion, because it is extremely quiet. In fact, if you get in and drive off without allowing the engine to idle, none of your passengers will be aware that the engine is not a petrol unit. We’ve tested a number of versions of the Scénic, so most of the clever interior features have been described more than once. Suffice it to say that this is a car to live in, because of the excellent front and rear leg-room, the supportive seats, and the many storage spaces for small items.
The suspension is comfortably soft, leading to a fair amount of roll in corners, but the actual road grip is excellent, and the car responds readily to quick steering inputs. Braking is satisfactory, but not outstanding, because the stopping times are about 0,2 to 0,3 seconds off the norm for a good ABS set-up.