What We Like
Sportier styling
Convenient One-Touch Folding control
Lots of storage compartments
20-inch wheels come as standard
What We Dislike
Takes a while to get up to speed
Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) are classic examples of the 'form follows function' principle, which states that the design of an object should be based upon its intended purpose. And in this case the purpose is to accommodate as many people and luggage as possible.
While a boxy exterior isn't a deal breaker for most, some would still view the MPV's design as boring. The fourth generation Renault Grand Scenic, on the other hand, is anything but.
Tell me where you get that body from
The Grand Scenic, successor to the world's first compact MPV - the Scenic - has evolved over a span of two decades to become the curvaceous beauty that it is today.
Dual-tone paintwork separates the seven-seater's black roof from the rest of its body, affording a slimmer silhouette that tapers off towards the back. It also gets a more commanding road presence, thanks in part to a longer wheelbase (2,804mm) and broader width (2,128mm).
Not just a pretty face
The Grand Scenic isn't just a pretty face though. When push comes to shove, the seven-seater is more than capable of accommodating a large family.
This people hauler also boasts tonnes of storage, with 14 'hidden' compartments strewn about the cabin for the whole family.
While a boxy exterior isn't a deal breaker for most, some would still view the MPV's design as boring. The fourth generation Renault Grand Scenic, on the other hand, is anything but.
Tell me where you get that body from
The Grand Scenic, successor to the world's first compact MPV - the Scenic - has evolved over a span of two decades to become the curvaceous beauty that it is today.
Dual-tone paintwork separates the seven-seater's black roof from the rest of its body, affording a slimmer silhouette that tapers off towards the back. It also gets a more commanding road presence, thanks in part to a longer wheelbase (2,804mm) and broader width (2,128mm).
Not just a pretty face
The Grand Scenic isn't just a pretty face though. When push comes to shove, the seven-seater is more than capable of accommodating a large family.
This people hauler also boasts tonnes of storage, with 14 'hidden' compartments strewn about the cabin for the whole family.
Convenient amenities such as USB ports and 12V sockets are spread across all three rows and ensure no one has to fight over who gets to charge their smartphone or tablet.
Foldaway tables on the back of the front seats, which are able to hold smart devices, allow the kids to plug in and keep busy while sunshades on the rear windows help them stay cool, or just keep the glare off their smartphones.
Something else the kids might like is the panoramic glass moonroof, which gives the cabin an airy and spacious feel.
If the kids aren't riding along and you require more space, a One-touch Folding control - located on the left side of the boot - allows for easy folding of individual or all seats at once.
The same function can be accessed through Renault's 8.7-inch touchscreen system in the front, which is similar to the one found in the Megane Sedan. It allows for customisable home screens and driving modes, on top of multimedia and navigational functionality.
Foldaway tables on the back of the front seats, which are able to hold smart devices, allow the kids to plug in and keep busy while sunshades on the rear windows help them stay cool, or just keep the glare off their smartphones.
Something else the kids might like is the panoramic glass moonroof, which gives the cabin an airy and spacious feel.
If the kids aren't riding along and you require more space, a One-touch Folding control - located on the left side of the boot - allows for easy folding of individual or all seats at once.
The same function can be accessed through Renault's 8.7-inch touchscreen system in the front, which is similar to the one found in the Megane Sedan. It allows for customisable home screens and driving modes, on top of multimedia and navigational functionality.
Practicality aside, the Grand Scenic's plethora of safety features ensure you and your loved ones are kept safe at all times.
A host of driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Brake Assist come standard in the MPV. It even offers parking assistance features, which help make parking the MPV a breeze.
It's a marathon, not a sprint
The Grand Scenic is powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, which puts out 110bhp and 260Nm of torque and is mated to a seven-speed Efficient Dual-Clutch.
It may not be the fastest MPV around, with a 0-100km/h time of 13.2 seconds and a top speed of 184km/h, and it does require some coaxing in order to get up to cruising speed.
But the Grand Scenic more than makes up for this with its decent fuel economy. We managed to get an average of 14.5km/L during our time with the car.
A host of driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Brake Assist come standard in the MPV. It even offers parking assistance features, which help make parking the MPV a breeze.
It's a marathon, not a sprint
The Grand Scenic is powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, which puts out 110bhp and 260Nm of torque and is mated to a seven-speed Efficient Dual-Clutch.
It may not be the fastest MPV around, with a 0-100km/h time of 13.2 seconds and a top speed of 184km/h, and it does require some coaxing in order to get up to cruising speed.
But the Grand Scenic more than makes up for this with its decent fuel economy. We managed to get an average of 14.5km/L during our time with the car.
Admittedly, that is by no means impressive for a diesel. But considering the fact that we were revving hard most of the time, it's still a reasonable figure.
Ride comfort, on the other hand, leaves more to be desired. Take it onto smooth roads and the MPV performs admirably but larger bumps can be still felt through the cabin.
Straight, open roads are where the Grand Scenic performs well. With prominent body roll and rubbery steering, we wouldn't recommend you take hard corners in it.
Best of both worlds
The Renault Grand Scenic isn't your typical MPV. It ditches the 'soccer mum' stereotype in favour of stylish looks without compromising on functionality and is a solid choice for large families looking to spice things up without sacrificing practicality.
At $133,999 (as of 10th June 2017), this sexy seven-seater is a constant reminder of how you don't have to be boring to be practical.
Ride comfort, on the other hand, leaves more to be desired. Take it onto smooth roads and the MPV performs admirably but larger bumps can be still felt through the cabin.
Straight, open roads are where the Grand Scenic performs well. With prominent body roll and rubbery steering, we wouldn't recommend you take hard corners in it.
Best of both worlds
The Renault Grand Scenic isn't your typical MPV. It ditches the 'soccer mum' stereotype in favour of stylish looks without compromising on functionality and is a solid choice for large families looking to spice things up without sacrificing practicality.
At $133,999 (as of 10th June 2017), this sexy seven-seater is a constant reminder of how you don't have to be boring to be practical.
