New 2016 Renault Scenic is a family-oriented crossover that has 572 liters of basic luggage space. Engines and the basis are shared with the new Megane and Megane Grandtour. The presentation of the Grand Scenic follows later this year.

Family-oriented crossover instead of family minivan

After 20 years Renault represents the fourth generation Scenic. This is a compact family MPV, one of the most important cars of this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It is clear that 2016 Renault Scenic walked along the same path as his larger brother Espace.

Scenic IV got shorter rear overhang, a serial 20-inch wheels, a lower roofline and more dynamic appearance. With the right crossover genes it became similar to larger Espace, but also to smaller Captur. Scenic is no longer a family minivan, but family-oriented crossover.

The new Renault Scenic has 18 liters more luggage space

The fourth generation Scenic will be also available in the extended variant known as Grand Scenic, which will be presented later this year. Since the track width is now wider, the luggage compartment gets bigger. In the classic Scenic it has 572 liters of the basic volume, which is 18 liters more than the predecessor. Renault claims that the car has a lot of additional storage with a total capacity of 63 liters. The last row of seats can now be folded into a flat bottom.

The Scenic interior in accordance with the latest Renault standards

Compared to its predecessor, the new Scenic interior is considerably more modern. With the exception of the basic version it is equipped with two digital displays. One of the two is the 8.7-inch (22 centimeters) portrait oriented screen on the middle console, which includes R-Link infotainment system of the second generation. There will also be a color digital display in front of the driver and who otherwise could a 7-inch screen on the dashboard.

New Scenic 2016 is powered by engines already known from Megane with which it shares the overall design of the vehicle. There are six diesel and two petrol engines. Part of the standard equipment is six-speed manual gearbox. In combination with some diesel engines the option is also a six- or seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

Renault Scenic offers all modern security-assistance systems, including radar cruise control which automatically adjusts the preset speed.

R-Link purpose and features

This system is unique in compact MPV segment in a way that it has a capacitive touchscreen that enables easy management with fingers, similar as smartphones and tablet computers. R-Link 2 also has a feature of voice control over navigation, telephony, applications  and radio.

• Transparent and intuitive graphics, similar to those on tablets and smartphones, and allows you to move icons with the click-and-drag, scroll pages, zooming with two fingers, etc.
• Easy adjustment thanks to three basic adjustable thumbnail page (widgets) and up to six personal profiles that enable fast access to the stored settings for the driver’s driving and indoor ambience.
• Management center that controls the majority of functions in the car, including driving assist systems.
• Connectivity  which includes twelve months of free subscription to TomTom Traffic service, access to online storefront R-Link Store and updated maps of Europe (depending on country).

Small Espace or large Captur? No, the new Scenic with substantial degree of genetic engineering

Given the image of new Renault Scenic is obvious at a glance that the blood is not water. We can say that it looks like a smaller and a little more compact Espace or as a larger and more mature Captur. Both these aspects are positive, both for the taste of customers as well as business.

The fact is that the body shape is moving away from the traditional MPV in the direction of more and more popular world of crossover models and hybrids, which lately ignore the boundaries of automotive classes. And we know that Renault never had a problem with boldness anyway and, you know, luck accompanies courageous.

Just look at the closure of the side glass surfaces, for example. As seen in Espace this line resembles to an aircraft. Undoubtedly, an interesting detail. A matter of taste of each customer, and we believe that the new Renault Scenic forms an interesting and different enough car to be like twenty years ago. A step ahead of competitors. From this perspective, Renault has done exemplary work.

Another bold decision is that all Scenic versions have serial 20-inch wheels and the buyers can not get smaller ones. It seems almost unbelievable to us, because it is nevertheless a car for the masses with different balances in a bank account. The tires on all versions are 20-inch, 195 mm wide, but they have the same height of the sidewall as the previous (or current) Scenic’s 17-inch tires, thus 107 millimeters, which ensures a comfortable ride. The tire dimension is 195/55 R20. The tire is a bit more expensive than the current 17-inch, but Renault dealership told us that the total cost of ownership (TCO) is expected to be, due to longer life expectancy and lower consumption, the same as in today’s 17-inch tires on third generation Scenic.

The driver environment goes hand in hand with the time

Scenic has grown on the basis of the new Mégane. That means that the handling and comfort are both at a high level despite a little higher center of gravity. Entry and exit to and from the vehicle is still comfortable, seating position behind the steering wheel is adjustable enough that most drivers find the most suitable setting for themselves, and the overall visibility should not be a problem.

Materials, including a modern gauges already seen in Kadjar, give the interior a true feeling of the car, which keeps the pace with the time, technique and fashion. Ergonomic progress is really obvious, even the gear lever is more elegant and sit nicer in your palm. This gives us to know that the engineers did not want to leave anything to chance.

All together is spiced with large 8.7-inch display and R-Link communication system of the second generation. The screen is responsive and transparent, the communication system is also connected with two USB ports in the second row of seats.

Family floor plan works, but…

Regarding space, Renault Scenic IV family floor plan, despite the somewhat less MPV oriented body works well, but by no means perfect. Compliment goes to a longitudinally movable drawer between the front seats, which is not a new trick, but it is a very useful feature.

There is a large pullout drawer in front of co-driver. An innovation already presented in Captur. The only difference is that in Scenic its capacity looks quite a bit larger. Drawers on the bottom of the vehicle remained. The interior therefore has as much as 63 liters of useful places to store smaller items.

And here is the “but” mentioned in the subtitle. The remark goes to the rear bench folding ratio. We are used from the competition and also from the Scenic predecessor itself, that the rear seats can be divided in a ratio of 33:33:33 or at least 40:20:40. Well, here you only have the option of 66:33. So the middle seat in the second row is not “independent”. But it is true that you can sit quite well in the middle, because the seat is clearly marked and well shaped, and also due to the flat bottom.

A second row of seats has quite enough knee room for the average high driver and passenger to sit comfortably. Designers, however, managed to retain the same amount of centimeters for the rear bench headroom, despite the lowered roofline.

Renault Scenic offers three Isofix anchorages for three child seats. Two rear and one front. Yes, the front passenger seat is also equipped with Isofix. Again, nothing new, but on the other hand, there are not many cars that offer this often a very useful solution in the first seat. Think of the long journey when you’re in the car alone with a child.

572 liters of luggage compartment easily accessible, seats fold with a switch

The luggage compartment is with basic 572 liters large enough. A double bottom, its usable form, the low loading edge and really easy access also add a plus to its usefulness. Even stripping a rear seat flat floor is easy, because it gets dropped on the command switch. Even stripping rear backrests for the purpose of enlarged flat bottom luggage space is simple because they fell down with a push on the button. The system is a fast and user-friendly, because the trunk is rapidly increased with only one move. Once you have something big and heavy, and there is rain outside, you will  quickly assess this feature as very important.

The boot space can also be extended with a sliding rear bench. If the bench is put to the outermost position in the direction of the driver and front passenger, do not count, there will be someone else to sit. Therefore, it is better to press the button and fold the seats to solve the transportation puzzle.

Renault Scenic is the European pioneer in its automotive class, which quickly gained a whole range of competitors and rivals

20 years ago Renault Scenic was born. Competitors quickly caught Renault’s pace because the first success of the Scenic was too high to be ignored. Among the first replied Citroen with Xsara Picasso and Opel with Zafira. The Asian competitors also tried to involve (Nissan Almera Tino, Daewoo Tacuma), Fiat tried with extravagance (Multipla) and Honda has taken its seat configuration 3 + 3 (FR-V), Volkswagen tried with a duo (Golf Plus and Touran) and in the end even prestigious members appeared (BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Mercedes-Benz B-class).

2016 Renault Scenic engines

The exact technical details about the new Renault Scenic are yet to be revealed, but when we talk about the engines, it is very possible the range of motors will be shared with its relative, Megane. So here is the list of engines, presented for the new Megane and which are most likely to be put in the Renault Scenic:

Energy TCe 100, gasoline 4-cylinder engine; 1,198 cm3; 100 hp / 4,500 rev/min; 175 Nm / 1500 rev/min;
Energy TCe 130, gasoline 4-cylinder engine; 1,198 cm3; 130 hp/ 5,500 rev/min; 205 Nm / 1,500 rev/min;
Energy TCe 130 EDC, gasoline 4-cylinder engine; 1,198 cm3; 130 hp / 5,500 rev/min; 205 Nm / 1,500 rev/min;
Energy dCi 90, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,461 cm3; 90 hp / 4,000 rev/min; 220 Nm / 1,750 rev/min;
Energy dCi 110, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,461 cm3; 110 hp / 4,000 rev/min; 260 Nm / 1,750 rev/min;
Energy dCi 110 Eco 2, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,461 cm3; 110 hp / 4,000 rev/min; 260 Nm / 1,750 rev/min;
Energy dCi 110 EDC, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,461 cm3; 110 hp / 4,000 rev/min; 250 Nm / 1,750 rev/min;
Energy dCi 130, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,598 cm3; 130 hp / 4,000 rev/min; 320 Nm / 1,750 rev/min;
Energy dCi 165 EDC, Diesel 4-cylinder engine; 1,598 cm3; 165 hp; 380 Nm.

Image credit: Renault