2009 Renault Megane Grand Scenic - Car Review Seven Seats With Style From Renault
Renault's Megane Grand Scenic brings Gallic flair to the eclectic mix of vehicles comprising our seven-seat mini crossover segment.
Distinctively styled and with a clever interior, you should not overlook the classy French vehicle when shopping for a compact seven seater.
What You Get
Renault has simplified the Grand Scenic model lineup to just one - it's well equipped and nicely finished inside. Power comes from a 2.0-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
Clever touches inside add to the practicality of this family vehicle and we're fans of the modern and funky exterior look. Typically Renault really, the Megane Grand Scenic just has that extra bit of flair and quality wherever you look.
Under The Hood
Grand Scenic shares its 2.0-litre petrol engine with the rest of the Megane lineup.
Maximum power is 98kW at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 191Nm is delivered at 3,750rpm.
Renault says the combined cycle fuel economy is 8.6l/100kms.
While Megane sedans and hatchbacks are available with a six-speed manual transmission, the Grand Scenic is only sold with the four-speed auto.
The Interior
Under enigmatic chief Carlos Ghosn, Renault's current global success is attributed primarily to great products and we reckon the French giant is right at the sharp end of the field when it comes to interiors. The colour palettes, styling, clever features, quality materials and nice tactile elements are amongst the very best.
The Grand Scenic is no exception - its interior delivers a nice feel and its practicality for the family buyer is top shelf.
A couple of examples: the under-floor 'secret' storage compartments beneath the driver's and front passenger's feet, the large 15-litre roller-blind covered storage area under the front center arm-rests and the way the third seat row folds and stores away make the Grand Scenic easy for families and the massive amounts of cargo required with small children.
The dashboard layout is different to other Meganes with an LCD display atop the center console for climate control and information for the CD/MP3 audio system.
We liked the driving position and all-round visibility - the steering adjusts for rake and reach and the simple button-operated cruise control is easy to use and adjust. Unlike other Meganes, the seating position in the Grand Scenic is raised - not quite the height of an SUV but definitely family-friendly.
Another clever feature is the second row seating with three individual seats which slide independently for maximum versatility. The Car Showroom juniors also enjoyed the aircraft-style trays, which fold from the back of the front seats, and the sliding sunblinds for the rear seat windows are a great touch.
Full-size basketballers or league footballers would be tested in the third row seats but for small children or adults on short journeys there is adequate comfort.
Exterior & Styling
Renault's stylists are amongst the best and the Grand Scenic's exterior appearance stands out in the compact people mover segment.
You struggle to find a straight line in the front end with nice, modern curves and a deeply sculptured bonnet line. From the side the large glass area is prominent while the rear has a touch of the large trunk look which is part of the current Megane DNA.
Grand Scenic rides on 17-inch alloy wheels.
On The Road
During our week with the Grand Scenic we sampled city commuting with just the driver aboard and also loaded the entire family for a run over our mountain roads test route.
Either way the Grand Scenic drives well. Ride and handling are distinctly European in feedback and responsiveness - surprising really when fully loaded.
Even when chockers with people and goodies, the Grand Scenic remained refined and quiet over secondary roads and Melbourne's infamous train/tram tracks.
Challenges
Grand Scenic's competent chassis is well balanced and a nice drive - so nice the 98kw/191Nm feels underdone. Renault's smooth turbo 2.0-litre fitted to the Laguna would transform the Scenic.
And the four-speed automatic transmission in our test car was at times stubborn in its shift pattern.
Verdict
The Grand Scenic scores strongly for its interior style and clever versatility plus its precise ride and handling. It also scores for its 'parking lot appeal' - it's a seven seater that actually looks stylish.
The Competition
Also from Europe, Citroen's C4 Grand Picasso and Volkswagen's Caddy Life are in the mix. Both have diesel engines but the Volkswagen doesn't match its French rivals in the looks department or interior versatility.
The American Dodge Journey should be considered with its choice of four-cylinder turbo-diesel or V6 petrol engines. It's also sharply priced.
Toyota's Avensis is not the newest entrant and its interior practicality is behind the segment front-runners.
Kia's Rondo is the price leader.
Likes
Good looker inside and out; clever interior; nice ride/handling
Dislikes
Engine and transmission aren't the smoothest
