Renault’s fourth generation Scenic range now has more of an up-market feel, with sleeker more sophisticated looks and cleverer technology.

A range of more efficient engines mean it still stacks up well on the balance sheet and it remains nicely built, safe and very well equipped. All very good reasons to keep it well in contention against key rivals in the five-seat compact MPV segment.

The styling is based on Renault’s R-Space concept car, key features like the steeply-raked windscreen and short bonnet heightening the elegance of its MPV silhouette. Uniquely, big 20-inch wheels are fitted to all versions. At the same time, the three-part screen combines a panoramic view with improved side vision. As before, the mainstream Scenic range comes in two sizes, standard with five seats and Grand with seven seats: it’s the standard version we look at here, a car that claims best-in-class stowage capacity. The boot of this fourth generation model boasts a volume of 572-litres and around the car, there’s total additional stowage capacity of 63 litres.

The Scenic has never really garnered a reputation as a particularly sharp steer, but that suits the sort of customers who just want something comfortable and unthreatening to do the family duties. The bulk of sales will go on the dCi diesel engines which develop 95 or 110PS in 1.5-litre form, or 130 or 160PS in 1.6-litre guise. The best seller will be the 1.5 110PS dCi variant and this derivative is also being offered with clever ‘Hybrid Assist’ technology. Hybrid Assist functions with a 48-volt battery, enabling the electric motor to support the internal combustion engine, which remains in continuous operation. So far so practical. There’s also a very attractive 1.2-litre TCe turbo petrol unit in 115 and 130PS guises which is well worth a look if you don’t cover such big mileages.

Renault’s fourth generation Scenic is here to remind us that there’s still a place for the traditional five-seat compact mini-MPV in a modern market stuffed with other, more high profile alternatives. It’s practical, spacious, well built and decently equipped, as every car of this kind must be, but is it all enough to keep the market’s original five-seat mini-MPV as the best choice for frugal families?

  • CAR: Renault Scenic
  • PRICES: £21,605 - £30,805
  • INSURANCE GROUPS: 18-23
  • CO2 EMISSIONS: 100-129g/km
  • PERFORMANCE: [Scenic 1.2 TCe 130] 0-62 11.4s / top speed 118mph
  • FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Scenic 1.2 TCe 130] (combined) 48.7mpg
  • STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ESP, twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBA and EBD
  • WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4406/1866/1653 mm