Manufacturer Renault Class Compact MPV (M) | Production 1996–present Body style 5-door MPV | |
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Also called Renault Mégane Scénic (1996–1999)
Renault Grand Scénic (2004–present) Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive | ||
The Renault Scénic is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) produced by French automaker Renault, the first to be labelled as such in Europe. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane small family car. It became the 1997 European Car of the Year on its launch in late 1996. The second and third generations have a model called Grand Scénic, which has 7 seats rather than 5.
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Scénic I (1996–2003)
The Mégane Scénic can be traced back to a concept car designed under the supervision of Anne Asensio, then designer at Renault.
The Scénic was mechanically identical to the Mégane hatchback (itself based on the older R19). The 1.4 L, 1.6 L "Energy", 1.8 L "F-type" petrol and 1.9 L diesel engines were shared with the hatchback range. The Scénic was marketed as a multi-purpose vehicle, in a smaller size lower price of such vehicles as Renault's own Espace. Renault underestimated the market demand that the Scénic would have—predicting that it would be a niche model with only 450 produced a day. Production at the company's Douai plant would eventually peak at nearly 2,500 cars a day.
Facelift
Along with the Mégane hatchback, the Scénic underwent a minor frontal restyle in 1999 and the newer 16-valve engines introduced. The front end was quite a bit different from the Mégane counterpart, and there were also redesigned rear lights. From the time of this restyle, it became officially known as the Renault Scénic, although a small "Mégane" badge still appeared on the rear door signifying the car's origin. This model was built in Brazil with flexible fuel engines.
The Phase 2 allowed the Scénic to be separate from the Mégane and its predecessor by introducing improvements such as a storage compartment on the dashboard, and a separate opening rear window on the tailgate. Another small improvement with the Scénic were the rear head restraints which were fixed over the back of the seat rather than being upright. This increased rear visibility.
During production of the Phase 2 of the Scénic I, Renault purchased a stake in Japanese automaker Nissan after Nissan had faced financial troubles following the 1991 collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble. As a result of Renault's takeover of Nissan, import rights for all Renault models sold in Japan, including, but not limited to, the Scénic I were handed over from Yanase Co., Ltd. locations to Nissan Red Stage Store locations in 2000.
Scénic RX4
Renault developed a four-wheel drive derivative of the original Scénic, the Scénic RX4, launched in 2000 in both LHD and RHD format. Featuring a viscous, multi-disc central differential designed by Austrian specialists Steyr Daimler Puch, it offered part-time 4WD. The rear suspension was re-engineered and the suspension was strengthened. It also used 5 wheel-nuts as opposed to 4 on the standard Scènic.
The new rear suspension now occupied part of the space that was used for the spare wheel well and led to the spare tyre being placed on the rear hatch. The RX4 rode higher with increased suspension travel and larger wheels. While these changes provided better ground clearance, the RX4 was offered with 2.0 litre petrol and 1.9 dci diesel engines, both already known from the Mégane. Production of the RX4 ceased in 2003, until the arrival of the Scénic Conquest in 2007.
Scénic II (2003–2009)
Shortly after the launch of the Mégane II, an all-new Scénic was launched. There is also a seven-seater Compact MPV Grand Scénic, with a longer wheelbase and rear overhang, which has two small child-sized seats in the enlarged luggage area.
As with the Mégane, the new car employs Renault's new corporate styling cues and much of the technology from other models such as the "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser and an automatic parking brake on certain trim levels. It integrates LEDs on all trims since 2006. As with the Scénic I Phase 2, a raised "Mégane" logo appears on the C-pillar in tribute of the car's origin. The car received a different dashboard design to that of the Mégane and featured a digital instrument display.
The Scénic II includes folding rear passenger seats with integrated table, a folding front passenger seat (on certain trim levels), automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, 'Child minder' mirror, as well as front and rear electric windows.
Unlike its predecessor, the Japanese-spec Scénic II was not available at any Yanase Co., Ltd. dealership location, as Yanase had ended its import rights for Renault after Renault had acquired a stake in Nissan when the Scénic I was still in production. Instead, the Scénic II was sold exclusively through Nissan Red Stage Store locations.
Facelift
Like the Mégane a few months earlier, the Scénic II underwent a mild facelift in the latter half of 2006. The redesigned areas included a slightly more pronounced grille section, larger diamond badge, the addition of a "SCENIC" word badge on the bootlid and new wheel designs and interior trim. As with the Mégane, an optional upgrade enabled all the exterior body mouldings to be painted to match the bodywork. As of 2007 the "RENAULT" word badge has been removed.
Scénic Conquest
In 2007 the spiritual successor to the RX4 was revealed in the form of the production-ready Scénic Conquest.
Although powered by two-wheel-drive, the Conquest has a body kit, raised ride height and features accessories usually reserved for SUVs.
Scénic III (2009–2016)
The Scénic III was released in July 2009, while the seven-seater 'Grand' version (New Grand Scénic) was released in May 2009. Like the previous Scénic, there is also a seven-seater Compact MPV Grand Scénic. Renault also offers the Grand Scénic as a five-seater. In 2013, Renault introduced a crossover version of the Scénic, which was called the XMOD. This car has different styling to the normal car. Differences such as plastic cladding, raised suspension and even different wheels to the normal spec Scénic.
Facelift
An updated Scénic and Grand Scénic was released in March 2013, which features a new interior and exterior styling and driver aids.
Both the Scenic and Grand Scenic can be specified with an Efficient Dual Clutch gearbox mated to the 1.5dci (110 bhp) engine.
Scénic IV (2016-present)
A fourth-generation Scénic was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The car, based on the R-Space concept, is slightly larger than its predecessor and adds some crossover design elements but, according to Renault, it is still an MPV. It will be powered by six diesel and two petrol engines. For the models with 6-speed manual transmission and Energy dCi 110 diesel engines it will incorporate an optional hybrid unit (Hybrid Assist). The Scénic will be offered with manual or double clutch gear box. The Scénic offer a 572 l trunk and the Grand Scénic 765 l with five seats.
The MKIV Scénic received a five star Euro NCAP rating with a range of standard active and passive safety features including 'Active Emergency Braking System' with 'Pedestrian Detection' making the Renault Scénic the only compact MPV with this feature as standard. The Scénic also features 'Lane Keeping Assist' and 'Fatigue Detection Alert'. Above 31 mph, the Scénic can detect fatigue-associated driving and alerts the driver, if the driver does not react, it is able to correct the trajectory autonomously.
Scénic in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom sales of the Scénic began in May 1997, and for the first two years, the Scénic was the only compact MPV sold by an mainstream manufacturer in the United Kingdom, however the Vauxhall Zafira, Citroën Xsara Picasso, Fiat Multipla and the Nissan Almera Tino were launched in less than five years. In 1997, the Mégane Scénic was awarded the 1997 What Car?, Car of the Year.
The Scénic II arrived in British showrooms in September 2003. The Scénic III arrived in British showrooms in May 2009. The Scenic IV arrived in British showrooms in late 2016.
In October 2014, Top Gear Magazine placed the Scénic XMOD on its list of "The worst cars you can buy right now." The facelifted versions could be specified with the R-Link touchscreen system, that includes an digital radio.
Recall
Electronic defects have caused Renault to issue two recalls. The first, in 2009, was because of the dashboard could stop functioning, leaving drivers without the ability to gauge their speed, fuel tank, direction indicators or anything as all instruments were totally electronic.
At first drivers had to replace this part at their own expense, but eventually, because of media pressure, Renault UK and Ireland said that they would reimburse customers up to a set limit. No reimburse was implemented by Renault in Finland where several independent workshops launched an affordable-priced fixing of blanked Scénic panels. The second, in 2010, was because the electric handbrake could sometimes engage on its own while the car was in motion.
Alternative propulsion
The Cleanova III, presented in the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, is based on a Scénic platform.