French automaker, Renault->ke72, is headed to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show->ke228 with a bevy of new models that, moving forward, will most likely head to production status.

One of them is Scenic XMOD->ke1747, a B-segment MPV that provides crossover-type looks designed to attract a younger and hipper market, and who are we to go against the Renault's strategy?

There seems to be growing clamoring for MPVs these days, although with the caveat that they're not really some of the most fanciful vehicles available in the market. Still, there's strong interest in the type and Renault wants to take advantage of it by offering a vehicle that passes the eye test in more ways than one.

Plus, it should also have a variety of engine options that will be right in line with what the market looks for. Having said all of that, the Scenic XMOD will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, where we'll be able to know the full details about the vehicle.

For now, click past the jump to read about what we think about Renault's new MPV.

2013 Renault Scenic XMOD

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Renault Scenic XMOD
  • Horsepower: 130
  • Torque: 220
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new Scenic XMOD looks pretty impressive, at least relative to what it looked like before. If Renault wanted to graduate from the bland looks of the old Scenic, then they did a pretty good job addressing that. The front end, in particular, carries a rather expressive crossover-inspired design, particularly the addition of a new front bumper and sill guards that add touches of sporty aggression to the overall look of the Scenic XMOD.

Renault's new design language is also prominently featured on the MPV, one that features a rather large grille logo, LED daytime running lights, and a set of alloy wheels. Oh, and that chrome-finished roof bar is also a cool addition, albeit one that won't add aesthetic points to the MPV.

Interior

If you're looking for an interior that offers plenty of buttons to push, the Scenic XMOD has a whole bunch of them to get you through the day. On that note, they look pretty flimsy and scattered all over the place. The cockpit-like environment sounds good in theory, but once you step inside, you're going to be treated to a wide range of controls that, while having their own unique purpose, look too numerous to comprehend while driving the MPV. There's a fair amount of luxury, though, highlighted by a new stitched upholstery featuring leather and Alcantara, aluminum-capped pedals, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Oh and there's that matter of cargo space, which is always important to a vehicle like the Scenic XMOD. To its credit, Renault continues to provide plenty of boot capacity for the Scenic XMOD. They say it can carry up to 555 liters (19.6 cubic-feet), which is still the biggest in its class.

In addition to its cargo space, you can also avail of no less than 71 liters of additional stowage space spread around the cabin. Should you want to make the most of you space without ensuring maximum comfort, fold or remove the seats and provide a host of seating configurations for the occupants.

Performance

While Renault has yet to give the full specifications of the Scenic XMOD's engine, we're assuming that the crossover will be powered by a range of three ENERGY engines, including a TCe petrol 130 engine that will produce 130 horsepower and over 220 pound-feet of torque. Renault says that the engine setup will offer 15-percent more efficiency than the past versions, which, in case you didn't know is a good thing for an MPV of its caliber.

Engine

Energy DCi 110

Energy TCe 115

Energy Dci 130

Horsepower

110 horsepower

115 horsepower

130 horsepower

Torque

192 pounds-feet

140 pounds-feet

220 pounds-feet

CO2 level

105 g/km

135 g/km

114 g /km

Combined fuel consumption figure

68.9 mpg

48.7

64.2 mpg


Pricing

No pricing yet, but we estimate it to still be in the neighborhood of £18,000 to £21,000, which is about $28,000 to $33,000 based on current exchange rates.

Competition

Ford B-Max

As far as we're concerned, the B-Max is the benchmark in this segment. It can be argued that the design of the Scenic XMOD is actually superior to that of the current B-Max and you won't find any objections from us. In terms of being a tried and true 'MPV' that offers an ideal combination of design, space, fuel efficiency, and overall practicality, the B-Max has all of that without compromising the fact that it has a petrol engine that can match efficiencies with diesel variants of its competitors.

Nissan Note

The Nissan Note falls pretty short in comparing horses with the Renault Scenic. Whereas the latter can boast output as high as 130 horses, the former struggles just to make it to triple digits with only one version capable of producing 108 horsepower. But for all of its shortcomings in output, the Note does have a pretty slick interior, highlighted by a high roofline mixed in with flexible interior amenities and enough storage space to make it at least comparable to the Scenic XMOD's supposed class-leading storage space capacity.

Conclusion

While we do have reservations regarding that rather expensive (estimated) price tag, the Scenic XMOD is a marked improvement from Renault's previous offerings. The overall look of the MPV, though still a little on the 'boxy' side, is leaps and bounds better than the older models. Combine that with a choice of efficient powertrain options with enough cargo space to fit an elephant (not really, but you get the point) and you have the makings of an MPV that's certainly worth your salt.