ROAD TEST REPORT
By Bob Hudson MIAME
August
Vehicle Evaluation Engineer
MEMBER SERVICES NRMA Member Services June 2001
RENAULT SCENIC
2.0 Litre Manual RX4 and 2WD Privilege Wagons
BEST WORST
Versatility of interior layout
Capacity of luggage areas and
range of storage compartments
Well equipped (safety and
convenience features)
The compact, yet surprisingly roomy,
Renault Scenic “monospace’ five-door wagon
is an important component of the marque’s relaunch in Australia, given that it is expected to
account for the bulk of sales.
The Scenic comes in 2WD form, or with
4WD (the RX4), and is currently selling
alongside the Megane Cabriolet and the Clio
Renault Sport.
Later this year, the Scenic will be joined by
Renault Laguna sedans and hatchbacks, with a
range of commercial models due in 2002.
Base model of the Scenic range is the
Expression and it comes with a 1.6 litre engine
and manual transmission only. Its price is
$25,878.
Next up the range is the 2.0 litre Dynamique
and it costs $27,878 in manual form or
$29,878 for the automatic. The Privilege tops
the 2WD Scenic line-up at $28,778 in manual
form or $30,778 for the auto.
Two RX4 models are available; the
Expression at $31,150 and the Privilege for
$33,250. Both have the 2.0 litre engine and
manual transmission only.
Standard equipment lists are comprehensive
across the Scenic range. Even the base
Expression models come with six airbags (dual
front, two front side bags and two head/chest
side curtain airbags), seat belt pyrotechnic
pretensioners and load limiters, plus anti-lock
brakes and electronic brake force distribution.
An engine immobiliser is also standard.
Comfort and convenience features include
air conditioning, remote central locking, power
windows and exterior mirrors, a trip computer
and satellite audio controls on the steering
wheel. The three individual rear seats can be
adjusted for position, folded, or removed
altogether.
The Dynamique adds climate control air
conditioning, alloy road wheels, partial leather
trim, a leather-bound steering wheel, front arm
rests and an in-dash CD player.
Privilege versions gain upgraded alloy
wheels, a rear sunshade, a central rear arm rest
and an illuminated vanity mirror.
There are two option packs available for the
Dynamique and the Privilege; one offers twin
sunroofs and roof rails for $2,000, the other
includes full leather trim as well and costs
$4,250. Metallic paint costs an extra $450 on
Call Automotive Technical Services on 1300 655 443, should you require additional information on this vehicle,
on other makes, or for general advice on automotive matters.
FEATURES
Driving position, and pedal and
control layout
Some kickback through steering on
bumpy corners (particularly the RX4
model)
all versions. Cruise control is neither standard,
nor offered as an option
Tall cars are very much the ‘in thing’ these
days and the Scenic is an excellent example of
just how much space can be provided in a
vehicle that’s actually shorter in overall length
than (for example), a Mazda 323 Astina.
Inside the Scenic, there’s good space for five
adults, plus a generous area for their luggage.
About the only limitation concerning
passenger space is that the centre rear seat is
rather narrow.
The Scenic’s interior also boasts an almost
unmatched versatility in terms of its
adaptability to suit various passenger and
cargo loads.
For example, each of the three individual
rear seats can be slid forwards and backwards,
folded flat, or removed altogether to create
maximum load space. The rear parcel shelf can
be adjusted to four different heights and the
Dynamique and Privilege versions have an
opening rear window.
Owners will need to remember where
they’ve placed smaller items in the cabin as
there are around twenty separate compartments
scattered throughout the vehicle. These include
pull-out drawers under the front seats, a chilled
drinks locker in the centre console,
compartments under the rear footwell and
under the rear seats, two gloveboxes, plus the
usual assortment of door and seat pockets, and
rear compartment side bins.
When it came to designing the RX4 version,
there was insufficient room to store its larger
spare wheel and tyre under the rear floor and
so it’s mounted externally on the tailgate,
which swings outwards and not upwards, as
for the 2WD models.
Though the seats themselves are generally
quite comfortable, there are some aspects of
the seating positions that may not suit all
people.
For example, the front seats are set high off
the floor (even in their lowest height setting)
and while this is good for driving vision, it
may not suit some drivers. I found the
forward-located manual gear positions (such as
reverse, first and third) a stretch to select.
The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable but with
no reach adjustment, it’s also a stretch if you
want to grip it above the centre line.
The 2.0 litre variable valve timing engine
that powers all Scenic models except the 2WD
Expression (it has the 1.6 litre engine),
produces above-average power and torque for
its size, and mid-range acceleration in the
manual 2WD Privilege tested was quite lively.
However the gearing is such that not too
many highway hills are taken in fifth or fourth
gears and smooth starts from rest require more
engine revolutions than you’d normally expect
to use.
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