Test drive by Renault Scenic 1999 - 2003 Minivan

Large car in small format

The appearance in 1996 of the world's first microminoven Renault Scenic, made on the basis of the popular Megane model, made no less noise in the automobile world than, probably, at one time the first Benz car. All ideas about ergonomics, spaciousness and comfort of golf class models were refuted - with minimal external dimensions, Renault Scenic possessed a spaciousness, if not a limousine, then at least a very large car. Naturally, such advantages did not remain unclaimed. Already in the first years of SCENIC, hundreds of thousands were produced, and every year its number increased, including due to the emergence of new modifications. Competitors, of course, could not miss such a tidbit of the market. After three or four years, literally all firms announced the imminent issue of their microminovens, so in 1999 the SCENIC model receives a radically updated appearance and many more useful innovations, which allows him to remain the leader of this market segment. In our republic, by the way, Renault Scenic is also sold very well, although many buyers still stopped the lack of economical diesel versions. Now the problem is resolved - the first Renault Scenic with a turbodiesel engine officially put on our test on our test.
 
The diesel engine is exactly what is needed for such a car, although with gasoline engines it is combined very well. Even the basic 1.6-liter version showed itself very frisky, and what can we say about the 2.0-liter-dynamics at the level of an inexpensive sportkup. But the main thing for this car, of course, is not a dynamics. The family car is little intended for racing, although Scenic is controlled very well, but the efficiency and painfulness of the diesel engine will come just right. Agree that with prolonged warfare, when you drive almost all the time at a constant speed of 90-120 km/h, it does not care what power the engine is under the hood, and the issue of the amount of fuel consumed comes to the fore. Moreover, in such modes, the diesel engine is much more pleasant: on overtaking there is no need to switch to lower gear, even if the car is completely loaded, and during acceleration it responds much more willingly to gas.
 
However, more on this later, but for now we will dwell on the Renault Scenic salon, which is more like a bus for a passenger. I don’t know how engineers and ergonomists managed to achieve this, but with minimal external dimensions inside Scenic, it simply affects the expanse. If desired, it would probably be possible to make a seven -seater from this car. The third row of seats simply asks: sitting in the back seat, it is almost impossible to reach the backs of the front seats. By the way, there are three separate chairs from behind, with individual adjustments and the ability to move back and forth, which allows you to sit with three very large passengers without touching their shoulders. True, there is one question - the chair very tightly hugs the rider, which is quite convenient, but at the level of the shoulder blades, some hump is bulging that prevents the back, and regardless of human height. Otherwise, without question, although on the front seats the adjustment in height would have come in handy.
 
Thanks to the minivan silhouette, it is extremely convenient to sit in Scenic: neither the steering wheel nor high thresholds interfere. It is also convenient to drive, especially if a high -tone driver. The steering column is regulated in height, which, in combination with the successful ergonomics of the driver's workplace and the optimal arrangement of governing bodies allows you to instantly find its position. You sit high enough, the visibility is excellent, so it is very convenient to maneuver in the city in the city, since you see everything on top of the roofs of ordinary cars. The only thing that strains is an invisible hood. Therefore, when driving along slightly crossed terrain, and such a term can be called any way without asphalt coating, the driver has to stretch his neck, trying to make out the depth of the pits. Moreover, SCENIC’s road clearance was quite ordinary - 12 centimeters, although it seems much larger from the outside. In general, it is better not to drive this in this primer car: the suspension is quite soft, so it is better to buy an all -wheel drive Scenic RX4 for off -road voyages. But in terms of smoothness, front -wheel drive modifications are simply out of competition. If most other microminovens still cause associations with minibuses, then Scenic definitely drives like a passenger car, except that a higher landing causes unusual sensations.
 
Naturally, with such a huge salon, in accordance with a minivan orientation, Scenic has very great opportunities in terms of its transformation. The fact that the chairs can be folded by increasing the volume of the luggage compartment should not be said - almost every minivan in this class has the same possibilities. But Scenic has a lot of small boxes and messes, including the otzeshnik in the place of the ceiling handle over the driver's place. By the way, unlike VW, Renault did not make an advertising hype about the fact that ceiling handles with silicone decelers appeared in their cars. In general, there are always a lot of such pleasant and unexpected little things in Renault, regardless of the model. In a tested car, for example, the entire tool was folded into an elegant tissue handbag, instead of a treasury bundle of leather -linter. A trifle, but nice ...
 
The interior of Renault Scenic, or rather, its architecture has become a starting point for many automakers who decided to produce their own microminoven. In principle, we can say that many simply copied its foundation, it turned out so successful. The main find of the designers is that when ensuring an unprecedentedly great inner open spark, they managed to make sure that all the necessary switches are literally at hand. And this despite the fact that in the car of the car you can, if desired, go from the front chair to the back. And also very successfully placed the steering wheel control panel of the radio. True, there are only few functions in it, only volume control and a change in the range, but its location under the wheel, a little not reaching the steering wheel switch, is simply optimal. Literally from the first kilometers you begin to use it, and not buttons on the radio itself. And by the way, you use quite often. The huge SCENIC salon in the presence of a good acoustics, which allows you to turn it into a kind of concert hall, sounds just great. Although without musical accompaniment, the car rides quite quietly, especially along the highway. In the city, if the engine is very twisted in each gear, its rumbling is constantly present, but it is impossible to call its sound dominant. Rummies and rumbling, but at idle revolutions this car appeared one interesting, absolutely not interfering feature: during prolonged work at idle, the car begins to sway barely back and forth. It is interesting, especially when you consider that all other vibrations of the engine do not reach the cabin at all, and the exception is perhaps the itching lever of the gearbox.
 
By the way, in terms of acceleration from a place to a hundred, a turbodiesel SCENIC lags behind its gasoline 1.6-liter counterpart by only 0.6 seconds, so you can leave all claims regarding the slowness of diesel cars. On acceleration, especially when the turbine turns on, Scenic even without a clutch play can be moved with rubber sensation, and if the asphalt is wet, then with a slip. The only thing that prevents the car from turning the car into Driver Car is a very small range of maximum engine return. Already from 1800 rpm, the car has been pulling just excellent, but it is already pointless to twist further 4000 rpm: the acceleration is no longer so exciting, but there is much more noise.
 
In conclusion, I would like to say that despite the presence of some insignificant shortcomings and the emergence of strong competitors produced under very famous brands, Renault Scenic is still the best in its class. And most importantly, the manufacturer does not consider this the reason to increase the cost. This is very good, especially since now, with the advent of the new dealer of this company, sales of Renault cars can reach a new, high -quality level.
 
Subjective opinion:
 
(+) Spacious interior, good engine thrust, excellent suspension, economy, large external mirrors.
 
(-) an uncomfortable rear seat, itching on the gearbox lever.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

A source: Auto -Gazeta / N 29 (332) dated 09/19/01