It is and feels bigger than the previous model, yet the current Renault Scenic is out-muscled by a Grand version which is all-round larger still. Even in standard size, though, this is a roomy mid-range MPV. Among the things which differentiate it from its rivals are the unusual exterior styling Renault favours, an interior which doesn't quite follow any other manufacturers' ideas on the subject - and you'd better like the Renault Card system.There's no doubt that turbo diesel power suits a vehicle like this, and the top-rated Privilège has one of those impressive Renault dCi engines. As always, it's the torque which provides the strong performance, in this case with a peak of 221lb/ft at 2000rpm. But there's also fuel economy to consider. A combined figure close to 49mpg and an extra urban return not far off 57mpg are pretty good going for a high-set car of this persuasion, thanks partly to the six-speed manual gearbox which reduces the revs at motorway cruising speeds.Five seats are standard, with the three in the back able to move around - and be removed - to suit any particular journey requirement. While the front seats are comfortable enough, those in the rear offer a rather hard base to the old Sitzfleisch.Renault's trim materials and finishes are more stylish than those in many of the Scenic's rivals - we also have a Far Eastern MPV on test, whose interior presentation seems by comparison about 30 years behind the times.As the top-rated model, the Privilège is crammed with ingenious and useful interior features, not all of them styled in the usual way. For example, one of the many stowage areas is what you might call a roll-top box between the front seats, with small but well-placed individual centre armrests pivoting down on top of it.The rear side windows have pull-up sunblinds, and there are separate sunroofs front and rear. A couple of 12-volt power sockets are set in the leading edge of the centre rear seat.One quite small detail - but important to owners using a Scenic every day - is that the switchgear, stalks and so on are not just neat-looking but also very smooth in operation. There's no impression, as in some makes of car, that they've been supplied by an ill-lit basement factory which turns them out in their zillions for three-wheeled delivery tricycles in Vladivostok.Renault is more enthusiastic than most other manufacturers about non-analogue instruments. The array in the Scenic is under a sweeping fascia-top cowl, with a mixture of digital and bar graph read-outs. It's all very clear - except that, if you put the sidelamps or headlamps on in daylight, the light level alters and the whole display apart from the large-figure digital speedometer tends to fade out.Otherwise, all the readings are crisp and immediately readable, although I don't fancy the placing together of a digital speedo and a curving bar graph revcounter. Of course, with a turbo diesel MPV there's not the same desire or opportunity to see the corresponding needles chasing each other round circular dials.Out on the road, the dCi engine provides decent overtaking performance and strong hillclimbing. The console-mounted gearlever isn't all that sporting in its movements, but the Scenic settles into a mile-eating pace once you get it cranked up into sixth.This is another Renault whose styling remains the subject of debate, and I was, as usual, slightly nervous about the Renault Card system during the few moments of built-in delay until the engine started - although it always did.While there may be Renault and Chrysler partisans with differing opinions about which firm ought to be considered the inventor of the MPV, there's no doubt about the fact that the original Scenic was the first compact or mini-MPV. The 2003 model has a long history behind it, and there's a lot of specialised expertise here.Second opinion: Useful things, Scenics, as I discovered when I had to carry myself, two passengers and an awkwardly large keyboard. One of the passengers made a mild complaint about the ride quality, and I had to admit that it was a bit bouncy - oddly so, considering Renault is usually so good at this kind of thing. I hate the way the headlights come on when they want to even if you haven't switched them on, and I share the general nervousness about the keycard system. My heart sank on two occasions when I tried to start the engine and was informed by the dashboard display that the card had not been located, even though it was in plain view. Locking and unlocking the doors solved the problem both times, but imagine if it hadn't . . . David Finlay. Engine 1870cc, 4 cylinders Power 118bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Fuel/CO2 48.7mpg / 154g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 12.1 seconds Top speed 117mph Price £17,850 Details correct at publication date
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