Five years ago, Renault->ke72 brought the Renault R-Space Concept to the Geneva Auto Show.->ke228 This year, we saw what appeared to be the same concept sitting at Renault’s stand. Was it déjà vu? Nope. We were actually looking at the next-generation Renault Scenic.->ke1747 That’s right, Renault took its famed R-space concept and used it as a basis for the newest Scenic.

Oddly enough, Renault kept a lot of to styling from the concept->ke169 when it made the new Scenic. There were, of course, changes made to make it production ready, but as you can see from our main display image, it’s not that far off. In fact, as far as first impressions go, one might argue that it actually looks better than the R-Space concept. How often do we say that about a concept turned production model? Not very often at all.

Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Design, said, “We wanted the new SCENIC to break new ground. It is a sexier and more modern take on the MPV which carries over the outstanding modularity that has been paramount to the success of the model’s three previous generations over the past 20 years. Its proportions and large-diameter wheels draw inspiration from the R-Space concept car.”

You’ve got to hand it to Renault when it comes to the new Scenic. It’s slated to be the bomb diggity of the MPV segment,->ke1149 and if the interior is as stylish as the exterior, it won’t have a hard time living up to that hype. The original Scenic virtually invented the MPV marketplace and has held its rank rather well over the years. So, will the new Scenic continue to be a leader of the MPV segment? Well, we have some new pictures and lots of information, so let’s dive on in and find out for ourselves.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Renault Scenic.

2017 Renault Scenic

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Renault Scenic
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

One the outside, the new Scenic is a more stylish take of the previous model, and remarkably similar to the R-Space concept we saw a few years back. Compared to the previous model, the front end is more refined and down to earth. The grille has been widened at the bottom, and there are multiple horizontal louvers that run the width of the grille. The headlights are much smaller now and less “eyelid” shaped than before. LED Pure Vision Technology provides a C-shaped outline along the outer edge of the headlight lenses. Down below the C-shaped inserts on each corner of the fascia are gone, as is the fascia-wide air dam. Now, a small insert with round fog lights inhabits each corner of the fascia with a chrome strip running along the top. The hood now terminates at the radiator grille itself and the windshield looks to be raked a little more than before.

To the sides, we see a design that is different from the previous model and the concept. A large glass panel is installed between the windshield and the door itself, similar to a design that was used older Pontiac Trans-Sport minivans back in the early 1990s. A mild body line runs from the rear corner of the headlight assembly back to the taillights, and the waistline along the bottom of the windows takes a huge step forward. On the previous model, the waste line was flat along the side, but on this model, it dips down at the rear door and progressively gets higher as it approaches the rear quarter panel, before shooting upward toward the room to create the stationary rear window. Down below, more stylish body cladding has been added to the bottom of the doors along with a small outline in the doors that goes around the cladding – it gives a 3D effect to the bottom of the doors, and is a really nice touch. The side skirts aren’t anything to write home about, but the new Scenic comes standard with 20-inch wheels across all trim levels, which is pretty cool in my book.

Around back, we see even more exciting changes. In fact, the rear end is completely different compared to the outgoing model. The taillights now wraparound from the rear hatch, across the rear fascia and into the rear quarter. Instead up running upward along the side of the hatch, a small triangular glass panel has been installed between the C-pillar and the rear hatch. There is still a small overhang on the rear hatch, but on the new scenic, it sits flat against the slanted C-pillar. A nice body line wraps from the outer point of the taillights and around the rear end onto the hatch where it leads into a chrome handle. It gives the rear hatch a lot more character compared to the outgoing model.

Interior

Looking at the inside, we see a rather spacious cabin for such a small vehicle and an interesting layout that brings style and class to the vehicle. The dashboard is rather uncluttered with a large center stack that is integrated with the shifter down below. The center console behind the center stack actually slides back and forth, allowing access to all passengers and making way for an open floor plan inside.

The front seats are identical to those found on the E-Space, and on higher-end trim levels offers up massaging, heating, and eight-way electric adjustment with lumbar support. In the rear, there are 60/40-split folding seats that fold automatically via the One Touch Folding system to provide more cargo room when needed. The interior offers up a total of 22.42 cubic feet of storage space, including the small storage areas in the floor, door trim panels, center console, and glove box.

In the rear, there are foldable Ease Life tables that also have a small storage space for rear passengers. Two USB ports in the rear of the center console provide for phone and tablet charging on the go. Sitting in the center stack is an 8.7-inch, R-LINK 2 portrait-format display that is borrowed from the Espace and the Tailsman. It provides voice recognition, navigation, cell phone connectivity, various apps and radio functions. A 12-month subscription to TomTom Traffic comes standard as does access to the R-LINK app store and up-to-date European maps.

A retractable, full-color, heads-up display sits ahead of the instrument cluster’s visor and displays all relevant information like current speed, navigation instructions, and various driving aids. As far as sound goes, the Scenic is available with a BOSE surround sound system with 11 high-powered speakers, including a center loudspeaker and subwoofer. All told, it looks like a comfortable setup, and for being a smaller vehicle, probably wouldn’t be that bad on longer trips as long as you aren’t the middle man in the rear.

Drivetrain

By the end of 2016, the Scenic will be offered with one of eight different engines – six diesel engines and two gasoline engines. The base offering is a 95-horsepower dCi diesel attached to a six-speed manual transmission. There are three variations of the 110-horsepower dCi Diesel – one with a six-speed manual, one with hybrid assist, and one attached to a dual clutch, seven-speed automatic transmission. Next up, there is a 130-horsepower dCi mated to a six-speed manual, and finally, a 160-horsepower dCi mated to a dual clutch, six-speed automatic transmission. On the gasoline front, there are just two units – a 115-horsepower TCe unit and a 130-horsepower TCe unit, both of which mate to a six-speed manual gearbox. Renault didn’t divulge any performance numbers outside of horsepower for any of the drivetrain configurations, but considering this is a family car, don’t expect it to hit 60 mph very quickly or go above 110 mph if it can even reach three digit speeds.

The new Scenic also features Renault’s Multi-Sense Technology, which provides a personalized driving experience by adjusting throttle and engine response, shift speed of the dual-clutch automatic transmission, and firmness of steering. Five different modes are available, including Neutral, Sport, Comfort, Personal, and Eco.

Safety

The new Scenic is fitted with a number of safety features that brings it in line with more expensive models in the market. These features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, fatigue detection warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with haptic feedback through the steering wheel, safe distance warning, traffic sign recognition with over speed prevention, and blind spot warning. Other features include a reversing camera, automatic headlights, front, rear, and side parking sensors, and hands-free parking.

Prices

Renault has yet to release information on the pricing of the new Scenic. We know the current model goes for £20,555, so we expect the new Scenic with all its new standard features to go for upward of £23,000 at most. We’ll update you with official pricing information as soon as it is available, so stay tuned.

Competition

Ford C-Max

I initially looked to the B-Max as a competitor for the new Scenic, but it just doesn’t compare. In all reality, neither does the C-max in some respects, but it at least comes close. In base form, it offers seating for 5 and comes with 16-inch wheels. Moving up to the range-topping Titanium X will give the C-max 17-inch wheels as standard, as well as a lot of similar driver aids. For 2015, the C-max is also offered in Hybrid and all-electric form, so there are plenty of drivetrain options to choose from. At the time of this writing, the C-Max starts out at £18,395 for the Zetec trim, £20,395 for the Titanium trim, and £22,895 for the range-topping Titanium X trim. Those prices are all before tax, delivery, and options, but are right in line with the pricing structure we’ll probably see with the new Scenic.

Read our full review on the Ford C-Max here.

Volkswagen Touran

The Touran came to be in 2003 and was built on Volkswagen’s Gold platform. By 2015, it entered its third generation with a whole new design and better interior. In 2016, it was named MPV of the year at the annual What Car? Awards. According to those judges, the new Touran is “great to drive, classy-feeling inside, and has better safety credentials than most of its rivals.” At the time of this writing, the Touran is available in various trim levels, with one of three different engines. There is the 1.2-liter BlueMotion that produces 110 PS, the 1.5-liter BlueMotion TDI that produces 110 PS, and the 2.0-liter diesel that produces 150 PS. All three mate to a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed DSG automatic is available for the 1.6-liter diesel, and a six-speed DSG automatic is available for the 2.0-liter diesel. The Touran starts out at £22,240 with the range-topping model going for £26,730 before delivery, options, and taxes.

Read our full review on the Volkswagen Touran here.

Conclusion

I’m impressed that the new Scenic shares a lot in common with the Concept back in 2011. It’s not very often that we get to see so much of a concept turn into a production model. As much as I tend to dislike these little MPVs, or miniature minivans as I call them, I have to say I actually like the interior layout of the new Scenic. It looks comfortable and appealing. I wouldn’t want to be the middle passenger in the rear seat on a long road trip, but aside from that, I could stomach driving this car if it was necessary. Of course, I would want a little more horsepower myself, but that is just me. At the end of the day, Renault did a good job with the Scenic, and I’m sure it will reap the benefits once it hits showroom floors.