Renault Scenic MPV (2009-2016) - Engines, drive & performance
It drives better than you’d expect, but the Renault Scenic is no sports car
The Renault Scenic's high driving position means you get a great view of the road ahead and large windows give you excellent visibility all round. Under the MPV body, the Scenic is basically a Renault Megane, so it has that car’s smooth ride and decent handling. Although there’s plenty of grip in corners, the Scenic doesn’t feel as composed as the Volkswagen Touran and has a lot more body lean than the VW.
The 1.2-litre petrol engines both offer the same 45.6mpg economy and 140g/km CO2 emissions, and while their 0-62mph times are similar (11.7 seconds for the 113bhp versus 11.4 for the 128bhp), the TCe 130 is easier to live with in day-today-driving, thanks to the extra power on offer.
The diesel engines make a lot more sense in an MPV, where mid-range power is important when the car is fully loaded. The 1.5-litre diesel doesn't feel as slow as its 12.5 second 0-62mph time suggests, while the 126bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine is the pick of the bunch, getting the Scenic from 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds.
