Test drive by Renault Scenic 2003 - 2009 Minivan

Change of scenery

Renault Scenic. Price: from $ 22,799. On sale: since April 2007
 
Preparing the updated version of Scenic, Renault engineers were primarily focused on their own ideas about the modern car, in the second on the established corporate style and only in the third on the requirements of the market. Most other experts come the other way around.
 
As usual, every new Renault car causes strongly mixed, or rather, alternate feelings. Cars become better, and the execution of interior elements is more and more copyright. Often, corporate identity completely absorbs common sense, but it is this cocktail that encourages customers to opt for Renault. It may seem strange to someone, but the brand has fans of those who at all costs only go to Renault.
 
It would be inappropriate to talk about the conformity of the branded term Phase II to one of the generally accepted concepts of a new generation or restyling. In some districts of Paris, Oordinateur is still talking instead of the usual computer. True, unlike cars, the French do not sell their language traditions to the side.
 
In terms of motor construction, the French auto industry is not as lag behind the world as world would like to think. While compact class cars included in the VW concern are still offered with 102 strong 1.6 liter engine, Renault developers remove 113 horses from a similar working volume. And notice, without any fsi there or, say, changes in the height of the valve lifting. Moreover, a 5 -step box was also pleased: you see, one of the creative workers of the Japanese boxing company Aisin was engaged in transferring numbers. Renault guys use its services especially often when they need to be combined on automatic topics. The engine reacts very briskly to the driver’s commands. And although it does not have great opportunities for the set of traction in the lower and middle range, it confidently disperses the 1.4 ton car with passengers and luggage. Power reserves in transmission are such that even in the city you can switch very rarely. At the same time, passengers have the feeling that the machine is equipped with an automatic. The same thought is also brought by the smooth operation of the power plant.
 
From the car you can achieve dynamics, switching after 5000 min-1. True, for a thousand revolutions earlier, the motor begins to roar so that inevitably I want to drop the gas. In general, with noise (both useful and parasite), SCENIC does not matter. If you do not put pressure on the accelerator, it will be found that the aerodynamic component prevails in the acoustic spectrum. It would be nice to give out to all sitting in the cabin and establish radio communications between them. The shape of the body, of course, contributes to the turbulents and other things described by the Reynolds number. But who prevents the good sound insulation? Unclear. The quality of musical sound also leaves much to be desired. You can fight with bass and other settings all day, but the acoustics that are pouring from the speakers will only initiate migraines. However, a bad sound is one of the chromosomes that are equipped with all Renault machines.
 
With regards to the dashboard, its monochrome performance and central location, already known for other models, will probably become one of the standards for single -collar with high landing. In fact, it is very convenient to choose the position of the chair and the steering column (both by departure and in the corner) without looking back at the dials. Moreover, no dials in Scenic are provided.
 
The speed indications are given in large prints, the turnover, on the contrary, are presented in the form of a ruler resembling a ringworm. In the dark, thanks to a successfully selected color design, the eyes do not get tired at all. In the afternoon, even with the bright sun, the devices protect the visor. The steering wheel, although it has the size and cross -section of the rim suitable for most users, still cannot be called a masterpiece of ergonomic thought. And the skin of good quality (perforated in some places), and the correct, changing profile is everything. But the splash of positive emotions does not cause the steering wheel.
 
The front seats, despite adjustments in all directions, will not contribute to the driver’s health on long trips. They pumped up the profile and the lack of a mechanism for adjusting the lumbar backup. In addition, the feeling that the back is not enough does not leave. There are a lot of space for the head of the second row and not very much for knees at their disposal. It offers all passengers, with the exception of the middle in the second row, the extending boxes for personal documents located in the bases of the seats. With such niches, the whole car is stuffed. There are cache even in the floor under rubber rugs! Secret agents are resting.
 
In general, Scenic gives the impression of a French hotel of the highest sample, the room of which stores the atmosphere of post -war Paris of the times of de Gaulle. At the same time, the luxurious Chipendeilian chair needs restoration, and the wallpaper that departed from the walls only emphasize the home environment. However, our Scenic was all right with the safety of the upholstery. The excellent work of the heating system, a giant salon, options like folding tables with cup holders and a soft move provided by a suspension will really allow you to feel in this car at home.
 
They didn’t sit down
 
The rear row of Renault Scenic seats consists of three autonomous sections. They can be individually moved in the longitudinal direction. If you remove the curtain of the luggage compartment, you can adjust the angle of inclination of all three backs. The stitches of all three sections are equivalent and are positioned as full seats. This is not very convenient with such a width of the cabin, since even if you dismantle the middle section, then the extreme right and extreme left passenger will not become more comfortable from this. In addition, a system of dismantling the rear seats pumped up. You have to break your head in order to remove them from the cabin without unnecessary losses of nerve cells. An attempt to install the chair back and can completely turn into a nervous disorder. Appeal to the instruction will not correct the situation. Make sure that the crossbar lies at the end, otherwise, click on the latch and move the crossbar to the stop. Despite the not too successful execution, the option should be recognized very useful.
 
Driving
 
Scenic shows good handling. There are rolls, but not too significant.
 
Salon
 
A single -volume layout gives a lot of advantages. The designers managed to use them in full.
 
Comfort
 
The suspension is well worked out by all irregularities. However, the noise level is very high.
 
Safety
 
Scenic must provide the necessary level of protection for passengers.
 
Price
 
The most expensive version with a 2 liter engine and the automatic transmission will cost $ 31099. For a family car, such a level is in order of things.
 
Technical characteristics Renault Scenic
 
Dimensions, mm 4259x1805x1636 mm
Gasoline engine, 1598 cm3, 113 hp/6000 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 5-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, from 11.8
Maximum speed, km/h 180
Competitors Ford C-Max, Mazda5, Opel Zafira
 
Advantages and disadvantages
 
+ The car holds the road well. The price of an ordinary level for machines.
 
- Acoustic comfort leaves much to be desired. Some ergonomic decisions are not thought out.
 
Our opinion
 
The new Scenic has very good prospects in the Russian market. However, some of the buyers are biased to Renault products. The car is the best suited not only for long trips with the whole family. In good dry weather, you can safely go on a picnic or for mushrooms.
 
 
Text: Sergey Arbuzov
Photo: Evgeny Zavodobarin
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [May 2007]