Used Renault Scenic MPV 2003 - 2009 review
This Renault Scenic is the best version yet of the original compact MPV
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What's the used Renault Scenic like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
How we test cars
What's the used Renault Scenic like?
There's plenty of space and practicality in both five-seat Renault Scenic and seven-seat Grand Scenic. The three rear seats can be folded or removed completely, while the additional two rearmost chairs in the Grand can be folded into the boot floor. Plenty of storage areas take care of the little things in family life.
Most trim levels are well equipped with creature comforts and all have first-class safety features, which helped earn the car a maximum five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP.
Overview
This Renault Scenic is the best version yet of the original compact MPV
Pros
- It's a practical and cheap compact MPV with a comfortable ride and willing diesel engines
Cons
- It's not the sharpest car to drive and the smaller engines are too weedy
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In partnership with
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£500
Renault Scenic
1.6 VVT Dynamique 5dr
£699
Renault Scenic
1.6 VVT Dynamique 5dr
£795
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Privilege TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£825
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£895
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Privilege TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£899
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique 5dr
£990
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£995
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique 5dr
£1,150
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It's also a comfortable and pretty refined car, provided you avoid the smaller engines. The ride is supple and it feels grippy and composed in corners, albeit with a fair degree of lean in bends and precious little feel in the steering.
The gearshift is imprecise, too, but more irritating are the bulky pillars and small rear screen that are frustrating when reversing.
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
How much does cost to run a Renault Scenic?
Affordable running costs are one of the Scenic's greatest attractions, and all models are very easy on the juice.
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Our pick, the more powerful 1.9 dCi turbodiesel, should manage more than 45mpg, while the 105bhp 1.9 takes it to just over 50mpg and the 1.5 dCi into the mid-50s. Even the 1.4 and 1.6 petrols nudge close to 40mpg, and the 2.0 and 2.0 turbo petrols mid-30s.
Servicing costs are just above average. A VW Touran will be cheaper, for instance, especially if you choose diesel, but the Scenic is broadly on a par with a Vauxhall Zafira.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Our recommendations
Which used Renault Scenic should I buy?
The best all-rounder is the 1.9 dCi turbodiesel with either 118bhp or 128bhp. It remains quiet at speed, copes with a full load and delivers impressive fuel economy.
Of the other diesels, the 85bhp 1.5 dCi diesel is frugal but slow, while the 105bhp 1.9 dCi is a good bet if you can't stretch to one of the more powerful versions.
As for petrol engines, the 1.4-litre (Scenic only) and 1.6-litre (both models) can feel underpowered when the family is on board or on steep inclines. However, the 2.0 pulls well and, if that still isn't enough, there's an even stronger 2.0 turbocharged model.
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Picking between the two body styles is difficult, too. But, overall, we just prefer the longer Grand for its seven seats and more supple ride, although we wouldn't feel hard done by with a five-seat Scenic.
If you're buying one of the smaller engined models, avoid the Authentique models, which miss out on air-con. Instead, go for Expression, which gives the best value (air-con, four electric windows, CD player, automatic headlights and wipers), although Dynamic runs it close. Privilege trim is the top spec, but not worth the cost.
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Tips & Advice
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Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
How reliable is the Renault Scenic ?
Renault Scenic
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£500
Renault Scenic
1.6 VVT Dynamique 5dr
£699
Renault Scenic
1.6 VVT Dynamique 5dr
£795
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Privilege TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£825
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£895
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Privilege TomTom Euro 4 5dr
£899
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique 5dr
£990
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£995
Renault Scenic
1.5 dCi Dynamique 5dr
£1,150
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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