Renault Scenic: An exemplary family man

Compact MPVs are largely an artificial category invented by marketers. The body is raised by just a few millimeters, the luggage compartment also adds a little, but the driver's seat sits noticeably higher than in a regular car, and inside there are countless shelves, drawers, and fold-down tables.

Formally, it is the Renault Scenic that is considered the founder of the class, although the Japanese built similar family cars long before it. They just didn't separate them into a distinct segment, but sold them as high-capacity station wagons. The French, however, invented a new category and declared themselves pioneers. Since then, the class has grown incredibly: from tiny cars like the Opel Meriva and Renault Modus based on small cars to seven-seat giants like the Ford S-MAX and Mazda5. It is this diversity that has made compact MPVs the fastest-growing segment in Europe, and everyone rushed there — even Mercedes with its A- and B-classes.

Renault still holds the lead and has just updated the second-generation Scenic. The changes are mostly cosmetic — the engines remain the same. For the test, we got the base version with a 115-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and a manual gearbox. But the equipment is rich: from climate control to an electro-hydraulic handbrake and a proprietary chip key that is slightly thicker than a bank card. The price of $24,724 is not much higher than the cost of comparably equipped European golf-class hatchbacks.

On the outside, the fresh Scenic is recognized primarily by the headlights with lenses and a more faceted bumper. Although for someone who doesn't understand French cars, it will be difficult to distinguish the new model from its predecessor. Inside, there are even fewer changes: the press release mentions new trim materials, but I'm not familiar with the old interior, so I look at everything with fresh eyes. The plastic is indeed pleasant — soft, visually velvety, and you just want to stroke it. The seats are upholstered in delicate velour, you sink into them, but they still hold you well in corners. In the Scenic's cabin, you feel complete relaxation — you no longer want to rush anywhere, just enjoy the coziness and warmth.

But we still got together and drove out of the parking lot. In motion, the Renault is just as serene: the steering effort is zero at low speeds and only appears closer to 60 km/h. In the city, you don't have to make any effort — the pedals are also almost weightless. At the same time, the compact MPV responds to all driver commands smoothly but without delays. The tall body hardly rolls — thanks to the wide track, not the tightened stabilizers. The result: the Scenic softly swallows Russian potholes and yet responds well to the steering wheel. But there is not a gram of sportiness in its behavior. As speed increases, a clear effort appears on the steering wheel, the Renault handles any road bends with European precision and easily dives into corners, but for some reason, you don't feel like speeding. It wasn't created for that.

The engine, sluggish at the bottom, comes alive as revs rise, and after 3000 rpm it responds to the gas without delay and allows you to confidently keep up with classmates in traffic. Gears engage clearly but without excitement.

But passengers in the Scenic's cabin have it more interesting than the driver. There are so many storage spaces here that it's worth keeping a notebook to write down what goes where. Sometimes you even doubt: is this really a family car? In terms of the number of hidden compartments, it resembles a drug dealer's dream — hardly anyone would search a Renault, and it's impossible to find all the hiding spots. They are hidden under every seat, four more under the passengers' feet, and in the sliding box between the seats, two-liter bottles fit easily in a vertical position. Plus closing compartments and open pockets in the doors. The traditional glove box deserves a special mention: if you measure its volume by the proverbial gloves, it's enough for a whole company, and all of them can be cooled. The rear bench consists of three independent seats, each adjustable for recline and length. The center seat can be moved forward so that a child sitting there is almost at the same level as the parents — an excellent family solution. And each seat can be removed from the cabin, changing the space to suit your needs.

If it were my will, I would drive the Scenic from work to home and sometimes on weekends. In the morning, while I'm alert and fresh, I want something more vivid and dynamic, but when I'm tired and nerves are on edge, the Renault is an excellent sedative. It's also good for long trips: if you don't demand the dynamics of a sports sedan, the car brings only pleasure from the road and time with loved ones.

Leonid Pavlov