Models Covered

5dr compact MPV (1.2, 1.6 petrol, 1.5, 1.6 diesel [Dynamique Tom Tom])

Introduction

Renault was the first brand to properly meet the needs of compact MPV buyers wanting seven seats. The design in question was the French brand’s Grand Scenic model, a People Carrier we’re looking at here in the further facelifted second generation form that was sold between 2013 and 2016. In this guise, this dependable MPV continued to offer a smarter spin on a well established theme. Practical, safe, quiet, comfortable, efficient to run and relatively affordable, it still ticks a lot of boxes.

The History

When it comes to cars, established market categories are all very well, but sometimes, they just don’t suit the lives that many of us lead. Take People Carriers. Or, more specifically, let’s take this one, this much improved second generation version of Renault’s seven-seat Grand Scenic that was sold between 2013 and 2016.

MPVs have always been ‘A Good Idea’ for families but it wasn’t so long ago that buying such a car was a question of choosing between two extremes. In selecting a People carrier, you either went for one that was so huge you were hardly likely to ever use all its capacity. Or one so compact that trying to cram in a family of seven and even some of their luggage ended up being a contortionist exercise in logistics. Predictably, it was the innovationists in the MPV market, Renault, who first recognised the problem and back in 2004, launched the first generation version of the Grand Scenic, a car built around a ‘Goldilocks principle’ further perfected by the second generation version originally launched in 2009. Namely, that of a People Carrier that wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small, but was just right.

The original first generation version of this Grand Scenic was significant. It was the first compact people carrier to feature an extended wheelbase big enough to make the third seating row actually usable - without creating a vehicle that was too van-like.

Like Renault’s previous people carrying innovations – the Espace of 1985 and the Scenic of 1999 – this one was quickly copied by other MPVs also aiming to offer a better family balance between size and wieldiness, most notably the Ford S-MAX of 2006. Renault countered that car by launching the original version of the second generation Grand Scenic three years later, but the competition kept on coming: Peugeot’s 5008 in 2010, Vauxhall’s Zafira Tourer in 2012 and the MK2 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso in 2013. Still, the Grand Scenic did its best to keep up, with an update in early 2012 quickly followed by a more far-reaching package of changes in the Spring of 2013 that created the smarter, more efficient version we’re going to review here as a prospective used car buy. It sold until the arrival of an all-new third generation model in late 2016.

What To Look For

The good thing about buying a vehicle that's well into its model cycle is that all the major problems have been thoroughly ironed out. Ensure all seats, the rear load space cover and the storage bin lids are present and correct and look for the usual family interior damage. Check that all the electrics and air conditioning work properly. The engines have all proven tough and the 1.6 diesel and 1.2-litre petrol engines are highly regarded by journalists but almost completely overlooked by the buying public.

Otherwise, ensure that the rear load space cover and the storage bin lids are present and correct and look for the usual family interior damage. Check that all the electrics and air conditioning work properly.

On The Road

We tend to think of driving dynamics as being uniquely targeted at on-the-limit handling. In a rival Ford S-MAX, they always have been, but Renault’s engineers seem to be a bit better dialled in to People Carrying purpose. Whatever the magazines may suggest, you simply don’t buy a car of this kind to throw it around the lanes: ride comfort, in contrast, is everything, providing that it isn’t so prioritised that when you have to push on a bit over the twisty stuff, when you’re running late for the school play or you’ve left the dinner burning in the oven, the suspension won’t pitch you about like a Channel ferry on a choppy sea.

By and large, the Grand Scenic delivers on this brief. Its low speed ride over typical town surfaces is un-bettered in this class on a model from this era and good enough on the open road to ensure that you won't be bombarded with too many 'Are we nearly there yets?'.

Overall

You might think your day-to-day family car journeys are mind-bogglingly dull but there are numerous models on the market locked in ferocious competition for the right to come along for the ride.

The improvements that Renault made to this revised Grand Scenic model in 2013 will go unnoticed by many – and that’s a pity as the clever petrol TCe and diesel dCi units turned out to be class leadingly-efficient. This car is also very well equipped. Spend a little time with it and you can't escape the realisation that Renault just knows people carriers better than anyone else.

Other MPV rivals from this period might look trendier but none are significantly more practical than this Grand Scenic where it counts – inside. Or nicer to live with over long journeys. On top of that, build quality is strong, running costs are low and safety is outstanding. In summary, in its time, this was Europe’s most popular family MPV for a reason.