GRAND DESIGN

Missus votes Renault’s Scenic the ultimate in easy-going travel

I LIKE cars that leave an impression just because they’re easier to write about.

That impression can be good or bad, it doesn’t matter. But fast cars are my thing.

Mrs F doesn’t have the same judgment criteria.

She hates going fast, doesn’t appreciate the blood curdling howl of a tortured, quad cam V8 and doesn’t appreciate the smell of hot rubber and fried brake pads like I do.

About 20 years ago we went on holiday to France and rented a nearly new but battered Renault Scenic for the week. Ever since then, as weird as it may sound, the Scenic has been her favourite car. Ever.

I’ve just asked her and here’s why. It rides bumps like a magic carpet so you can apply make-up on the move without looking like a steam-punk Goth when you arrive.

The huge expanse of glass and panoramic sunroof also means you get a lot of natural light to apply said face-cake. Crucial for judging tone and level of application, apparently.

If you’ve got small kids, they’re kept amused by the views, and as there’s masses of space it’s also easy to deal with whatever issues are going on in the back seat on the move. Always issues. That can be retrieving errant milk bottles, jammy croissants or breaking up a fight.

You can’t do this stuff in a hot hatch or coupé. You have to stop.

Speaking of offspring, prams fit in the boot without having to fold them down. Seeing as prams and their undercarriages carry an overbearing weight of detritus, this ability to swallow a whole pushchair is a nifty timesaver, especially when it’s rodding it down.

I think she’d approve of this, the new fourth-gen Renault Scenic, particularly in slightly larger Grand Scenic form. In fact, I know she would. It’s still the ultimate in nonthreatening, easy-going travel, just posher. A lot posher.

It’s also a lot less home-knitted sweater/ socks and sandals than Scenics and Citroën Picassos of past. In the flesh it looks like a designer’s drawing that’s managed to slip past the accountants unnoticed.

With its huge (but skinny) 20in wheels and that bold waistline swoosh, it looks quite a few years before its time without running the risk of dating like a series one Espace.

Same inside, too. The ergonomics, the fit and feel all smack of a more upmarket place than the inside of a family skip. Proper (Bose) stereo as well, with really good bass response and crisp mid and treble performance.

It’s not an exciting drive but it’s capable of