The Renault Scenic remains one of the most well-known family car names around and is still largely recognised as the car that popularised traditional people carrier MPVs.

But since MPVs are not exactly renowned for their styling, and more and more family car buyers are being lured by fashionable crossover options, Renault recognised it really needed to make its next Scenic stand out.

Their efforts do show, as the new Scenic is one of the most stand-out MPVs we’ve seen, with its sleeker, lower roofline, a redesigned face which is reminiscent of Renault’s popular Captur and bold new 20-inch wheels.

But while the Scenic has an intriguing new look, it also needs to deliver on improvements to cabin quality, equipment and engines, to ensure it keeps up with modern family cars inside and outside the MPV sector.

The Scenic wants to compete with five-seater MPVs from both premium and non premium brands, so its rival list features the likes of the Ford C-MAX, Citroen C4 Picasso, Volkswagen Golf SV and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

The Renault Scenic is one of the most established names in the MPV market sector, but the XMOD, however, is a rather different take on this type of family motor. It features several modifications designed to make the Scenic more suitable for driving on low-grip surfaces and even off-road terrain.

Differences, therefore, include a raised ride height, the fitment of mud and snow tyres, a more advanced traction control system and new underbody protection. As a result of these changes, the Scenic XMOD finds itself in a rather unique position of battling on two fronts. Not only does it still challenge the more traditional MPVs, like the Ford C-MAX and Citroen C4 Picasso, but also entries in the crossover market like the Nissan Qashqai.

Performance

Engines for the Scenic XMOD comprise of two petrol units and two diesels. The petrol units include a 1.6-litre VVT petrol with 113bhp or a 1.2-litre TCe offering 128bhp. There’s also a 1.5-litre dCi diesel which can deliver 109bhp or a 1.6-litre dCi with 128bhp. All engines use a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, though the 113bhp diesel is available with an optional six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic ‘box.

We tested the 109bhp diesel with the standard manual gearbox, which allows the XMOD to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 12.3 seconds and offers peak torque of 240Nm at 1,750rpm. This engine feels very subdued until you get past 2,000rpm, so you’ll be keen to work through the gears even when in town.

On the plus side the gear change itself is slick and precise. The engine works fine for motorway cruising but it’s understandable if buyers opt for the extra power offered by the 128bhp diesel instead. There’s also the petrols (particularly the 1.2 TCe) to consider, but the diesels are expected to be far more popular because of their superior efficiency.

Ride and Handling

A dial on the centre console lets the driver switch on the XMOD’s ‘Grip Xtend’ system.

While this Renault shouldn’t be mistaken as a proper off-roader, the modifications do make it more capable on low grip surfaces. A dial on the centre console lets the driver switch on the XMOD’s ‘Grip Xtend’ system. This is designed to deliver the ideal amount of power to the front wheels when dealing with the likes of mud, sand or snow. There are three settings including Expert, Loose Ground and Road, the latter of which will be applied automatically when you exceed 25mph. Bear in mind, however, that at all times the Scenic XMOD remains a front-wheel drive car. On the road, the chunky tyres offer loads of grip and driving through town or on the motorway is usually a comfortable experience with barely any body roll or noise pollution. When tackling high speed corners, however, the XMOD’s raised ride height is hard to ignore as the car rolls more as a result. The steering, meanwhile, has an artificial feel to it that fails to inspire much confidence. Often it will feel light when you initially turn in somewhere but then suddenly gets much heavier as you’re progressing through a corner.

Interior and Equipment

The Scenic XMOD is the first car to feature Renault’s more advanced Grip Xtend traction control system.

The moment you step into the Scenic XMOD it feels huge. There’s a generous amount of head and legroom, particularly at the front, and the front and side windows are very tall, meaning you get a lot of light filling the cabin and decent all-round visibility. Fitting two adults at the back, plus a child in the middle rear seat, should prove an easy task and the seats are comfy. Three adults at the back is a squeeze but far from impossible. All three rear seats have ISOFIX child restraint mountings. There are various useful storage compartments dotted around the cabin and standard boot capacity is 470 litres. That’s about the same you get in a Ford C-MAX but it’s also noticeably more than you get with many crossovers nowadays such as the Qashqai (which offers 430 litres). With the rear seats down, the load capacity for the Scenic XMOD increases to a whopping 1,870 litres, significantly more than virtually any crossover and over 100 litres more than the C-MAX. There’s just one trim level for the Scenic XMOD, called Dynamique Nav, and you get a decent amount of standard kit. The list includes climate control, cruise control, electric and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and a TomTom Live sat-nav system.

Cost

The most efficient diesel, the 109bhp 1.5-litre unit in manual form, records 68.9mpg and emits just 110g/km.

If you care at all about running costs then the diesel engines for the Scenic XMOD make more sense since they offer official fuel economy figures above 60mpg. The 1.2-litre petrol on the other hand records somewhere between 43.5 and 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions between 115 and 130g/km. The most efficient diesel, the 109bhp 1.5-litre unit in manual form, records 68.9mpg and emits just 110g/km. These particular figures place the XMOD as low as in Band B for Vehicle Excise Duty, meaning it’s free for the first year of ownership, followed by a standard rate of £20. Pricing for the Scenic XMOD starts at just under £19,500 for the 109bhp diesel model. That’s almost the same starting price as a standard Scenic. XMOD pricing increases up to around £22,500 for the diesel-run models. This sort of pricing range is similar to many crossovers, although a new Qashqai can be bought from just over £18,500.

Our Verdict

The XMOD is a more fashionable take on the famous Scenic family car that offers better usability on low-grip surface for hardly any extra cost. The extra body kit makes the styling more stand-out and interesting. The frugal diesels, roomy cabin and lengthy equipment list will all appeal to family car buyers. However, while the car is well prepared for when the weather or terrain gets tougher, the on-road driving experience is generally comfortable, but uninspiring. If you want a family car that evokes the look of a crossover but need plentiful cabin room then the Scenic XMOD can fit those specific preferences. If, however, you prefer sleeker styling or a more engaging drive, then settling for a similarly priced crossover or saving up for a four-wheel drive estate would be a more rewarding investment.