Renault Grand Scenic - the family will love it

A car like the Renault Grand Scenic has to deal with many conditions - on the road when we go on vacation, as well as in the city when we take the children to school. A famous saying goes: "If something is good for everything, it is good for nothing." In this case, these words are reflected in deeds? Which is better to choose a train for recreation and a small city car for everyday travel, or a French minivan that tries to combine the best features of both vehicles?

Competition, learn!

For some time now, manufacturers have been phasing out their minivans and turning them into SUVs or crossovers. Thanks to the raised suspension, we got the impression that these machines do a good job in the field. This isn't always the case, but at least they're emotional and interesting, which family vans often didn't have. We usually associate them with a straight line, no kinks, and the most practical shape. Fortunately, several models break this rule, including the tested Grand Scenic. Looking at this car from the outside, we definitely will not say that it is boring. Each side has a characteristic accent.

At the front, there are pronounced ribs on the hood and a chrome-plated radiator grille, smoothly turning into headlights. In our “test tube” there are ordinary light bulbs with lenses, but as an option, the headlights can be completely LED.

From the side, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge alloy wheels. We get 20" rims as standard! They look great, but finding 195/55 R20 tires in an emergency can be tricky. The overall sideline is impressive for a family car. We find a lot of lameness, kinks and curves here. In this type of cars, the general view is to insert glass into the A-pillar, which divides it into an A-pillar and an A-pillar. This improves visibility, so that car can't be missing either.

The whole body is very streamlined - it is clear that the designers tried to minimize the aerodynamic coefficient Cx, which had a positive effect on fuel consumption and soundproofing of the cabin.

The back side is no less interesting than everything else. It goes well with the whole car, although if you squint, it can remind you of another Renault model - space. We can see the similarities, especially in the lamps.

The Grand Scenic looked good from the start, so the latest generation couldn't be any different. The case is modern and lightweight, for which many buyers love it.

Paradise for the family

The interior of a French minivan is typically designed to carry a family. We find in it, among other things, a huge amount of storage space. In addition to the standard doors, there are additional pocket doors, for example, under the floor or in the retractable center console. The last element is part of the "Easy Life" solutions, which, as the name suggests, are designed to make our lives easier. On paper, such a movable console is a great solution, but in practice everything is a little different. With the seat in the correct position, a 187cm person must decide if they want to rest their elbow on the armrest or have access to two cup holders and a 12V outlet.

Another component of "Easy Life" is a drawer in front of the front passenger and tables for rear passengers. The latter also have pockets behind the front seats, a very roomy storage compartment in the center and two USB charging ports (there are four of them for the entire car). On hot days, window blinds and vents on the sides come in handy.

There are plenty of front seats in all directions. Due to the large glass area, visibility is also high. We only have to get used to the side mirrors, which are unnaturally close to our shoulder.

There is also a lot of space in the second row - with a car length of 4634 1866 mm, a width of 2804 mm and a wheelbase of mm, it could not be otherwise. The flat floor without a tunnel is commendable.

The test model is equipped with a third row of seats, which is intended mainly for children. An adult person will not last long there.

Unfortunately nothing is perfect Grand Scenic there is also a minus (and this is not the one on the battery). The seats are comfortable, but in a family car I would expect three individual rear seats, each with ISOFIX. For this model, Renault only offers a 1/3 and 2/3 split seat (each part can be pushed forward separately and its back angle can be changed), and ISOFIX can be found on the outer rear and front passenger seats.

The trunk is not impressive, but it does not disappoint either - with five passengers we have 596 liters left, and with seven people - 233 liters. An interesting solution is the One Touch system. When we press only one button (located on the left side of the trunk), the second and third row seats fold down on their own. Importantly, we can leave the head restraints in the up position. It’s a pity that it doesn’t work in the opposite direction either, so in order to lay out the chairs, you have to bother yourself. Finally, we can still complain a little about the lack of an electrically opened flap with a "foot gesture".

"For dancing and for the rose garden"

In terms of handling, the French engineers did a very good job. After a minivan, don't expect sports sensations, but comfort and safe travel - that's what Grand Scenic gives us. It does not require our special attention, and if we miss it, we have a lot of security systems on board that can save us from oppression.

The car was configured as a universal "bus" - it easily copes not only with the highway, but also in the city. At higher speeds, we appreciate the presence of a sixth gear that keeps the engine noise from getting annoying. The block works under the hood of our version 1.5 DCI with 110 hp and 260 Nm. These are not excessive values, so we must plan some maneuvers in advance. If we are going to travel frequently with a full set of passengers, it is better to opt for a more durable option. Low power in this case also means low fuel consumption - on a quiet track, we can easily get a consumption of 4 liters per 100 km. In the urban jungle, the car will suit 5,5 liters per 100 km. In these conditions, in turn, we like the crisp gearbox and soft suspension - speed bumps are no problem. The light steering system ensures maneuverability in narrow streets.

Usually diesel and Start&Stop are not a good combination. In this case, it works perfectly - the engine starts absolutely without vibrations.

“Hybrid assist” or what exactly?

How is a "mild hybrid" different from a standard one? First of all, the power of the electric motor and the ability to move with this drive. If, as in the case of our test car, we have a small electric motor (5,4 hp) that is an "afterburner" combustion chamber and the car cannot be propelled by electrons alone, then we are dealing with a "soft hybrid". AT Renault this is called "Hybrid Assistance". Suzuki uses a similar solution in the Baleno model. In practice, such an application is imperceptible in its work - when we brake, energy is stored in a 48V battery hidden in the trunk, and when we accelerate strongly, it is supported by a diesel engine located under the hood. As a result, Renault promises to reduce fuel consumption by 0,4 liters per 100 km.

Is it worth it or not?

How much is the pleasure of owning a Renault Grand Scenic? Minimum PLN 85 for the base unit TCe 900. However, if we want to have a diesel, the cost increases to PLN 115. Then we will become the owners of the 95 DCI engine with 900 hp. For this option, we can pay 1.5 thousand. PLN, thanks to which we will receive electric support "Hybrid Assist".

The basic version of the Grand Scenica is already richly equipped, which justifies the rather high price compared to competitors. We always find on board, for example, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control and keyless entry.

The cheapest in this segment is the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso for PLN 79. We will spend a little more on Opel Zafira (PLN 990) and Volkswagen Touran (PLN 82). The most expensive on our list is the Ford S-Max, to buy it you need to leave at least PLN 500 in the showroom.

Who cares, but Renault knows very well about the production of vans - after all, they initiated this segment in Europe with the model space. Today, the Espace is a crossover, but the Grand Scenic in question is still a minivan. It also shares a few similarities with the aforementioned train: it can carry a lot of people cheaply and safely, and it guarantees a lot of space inside. It shares thoughtful interiors and everyday comfort with a city car. The buyers clearly liked this mix, since it was the Grand Scenic that received the "Auto Leader 2017" award in the VAN category. So the larger Scenic is a great deal for families who want a good car but prioritize practicality over looks.