IF SUCCESS were rated according to how improved a new model is, then the Scenic II – in six-speed manual mode anyway – deserves to be showered in champagne. Renault has engineered a compact family hatchback with exceptional space, safety and practicality attributes mixed with style, value, driver enjoyment and refinement. So if you’re in the market for cars like a VW Golf, Toyota Camry, Ford Falcon or Nissan X-Trail but yearn for something different then you could do a lot worse than take the Scenic for a spin. Better still, borrow one for a few days: only then will its lifestyle-enhancing abilities become clear.
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Renault Scenic
Released: 2001
Ended: 2005
Family Tree: ScenicARGUABLY the most influential family car of the 1990s, the original Scenic set the sales charts alight in Europe (and became a relatively strong seller here) with its practical cabin, keen pricing and long equipment levels. The early Expression base models made-do with a 1.6, but the rest (Dynamique and luxury Privilege) are powered by a 101kW 2.0 engine. A part-time 4x4 version known as the Scenic RX4 joined the range from 2002, but hasn’t been replaced in the second-generation model.
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