- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He
Renault Scenic Minivan. True friend for a large family
The Renault Scenic is a compact minivan that has been produced since 1996. It shares the platform with the Megane family car. The new Scenic became incredibly popular and was named the European Car of the Year 1997. And, in our opinion, it deserves this title, as this is one of the most comfortable vehicles for a large family or for long trips. This minivan looks beautiful, offers roomy interior, superb equipment and a wide range of engines. Throughout its lifetime, the vehicle had interesting modifications: the first generation all-wheel drive RX4 version, as well as the second, third and fourth generation 7-seater Grand Scenic versions. But everything has its end… And the long glorious 24-year history of the minivan has come to an end. The manufacturer will end production of this model at the end of 2021. The vehicle is not officially sold in Israel.
The 2016 fourth generation Renault Grand Scenic is available in Israel. This is a 7-seater version of the Scenic with a longer wheelbase, increased rear overhang and a third row of seats. The minivan is equipped with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine with an output of 140 or 159 hp and a 7-speed dual-clutch robotic gearbox. In 2021, the minimum price starts from 169,397 shekels (including the registration fee).
The first generation
It was produced from 1996 to 2003, while its restyling took place in 1999. In terms of its powertrain, the first Scenic was similar to the Megane hatchback of that time: the same 1.4-liter, 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline engines, as well as a 1.9-liter diesel engine. In the model line, the Scenic stood below the Espace, was more compact and cheaper. Initially, Renault underestimated the demand, but the buyers liked the model so much that the plant in Douai had to assemble almost 2,500 vehicles a day.
In September 1999, the minivan underwent a restyling, acquiring new 16-valve engines and a modernized exterior with the redesigned front end and taillights. The interior started featuring a storage compartment on the dashboard and a separate opening rear window on the fifth door. At the same time, the ‘Megane’ prefix was removed from its full name, as it hinted at the origin of the model.
The second generation
In June 2003, the manufacturer released the second generation Scenic, followed by the 7-seater compact MPV Grand Scenic with a longer wheelbase and a larger rear overhang released in April 2004. This made it possible to place a couple of small child seats in the passenger compartment. The second Scenic received a fully digital dashboard which had an original design. The vehicle had folding rear passenger seats, each of which was adjusted and removed separately. Some trim levels provided a built-in table, a folding front passenger seat, rain and light sensors, and a mirror for babysitting. There was a whole range of engines, including 1.4-2-liter gasoline ones and 1.5-2-liter diesel ones. In 2006, the vehicle was restyled.
The third generation
The third Scenic was released in July 2009, and its 7-seater version, Grand Scenic, was introduced in May of the same year. In 2013, Renault presented a crossover version of the vehicle called the XMOD. That version offered an increased ground clearance, plastic body kit and different wheels. It could be equipped with 1.2-liter gasoline engines, as well as with diesel engine with a volume from 1.5 to 2 liters. It was possible to install an EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) dual-clutch robotic gearbox.
The fourth generation
The new fourth generation Renault Scenic was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Based on the R-Space concept, the vehicle has become larger than its predecessor and has borrowed some features from an SUV, while still being a minivan. The model is equipped with six diesel and two petrol engines. The Energy dCi 110 diesel engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and a hybrid superstructure Hybrid Assist. Other modifications come with a manual transmission or a dual-clutch robotic gearbox. As before, there is also a longer version of the Grand Scenic. An ordinary minivan has a trunk volume of 572 liters, while a long one offers 765 liters (with five seats). The new Scenic has received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It has all modern active and passive safety systems, including automatic braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist system and others.
