RENAULT GRAND SCENIC

 Renault’s second-generation Grand Scenic builds on the excellent concept of its predecessor, but updates some of the flimsy interior and refines the engine options. Speaking of which, post-2012 cars have cleaner, more economical diesel engines with Stop-start technology and lower CO2 emissions (meaning cheaper tax), but you should ideally start your search by looking at 2013-on models with their smoother front styling. Facelift models are just within budget and look so much more modern than earlier versions.

But looks and styling is not what you’d be buying for a Grand Scenic for. While it’s nice to have a smart-looking motor (the Grand Scenic certainly isn’t the ugliest out there – anyone seen a Fiat Doblo?), the main objective here is to carry people around. And considering you’re likely to know and possibly even care for these people, we expect you’d like to be able to cart them around in comfort and as safely as possible. The Grand Scenic scores well here. The best, in fact, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating. It’s packed full of safety kit, including airbags galore, three-point seatbelts on all seven seats, and Isofix mounts on all three of the second-row seats too.

Another of the Grand Scenic’s fantastic tricks is storage. Renault have been very clever with utilising every bit of available space, and parents will welcome things like the stowage drawers under the front seats, and all the various cubby holes and pockets throughout the interior – providing easy access to stuff required to feed, entertain, or clean the kids while on the move.

All Grand Scenics come with seven seats as standard, but like all sevenseater cars (as opposed to converted commercial vehicles like the Ford Torneo or VW Caravelle) the rearmost seats are a little cramped for full-grown adults. With them up, boot space is compromised, but they can be folded flush into the floor to provide a useable space.

The second row of seats can all be moved independently (or removed completely) and all seats in the Grand Scenic are pleasantly supportive and prove comfortable on long journeys.

The rest of the cabin feels a definite step up from the first models, and things like the new digital speedo display gives a much fresher vibe inside. Sadly, some of the plastics do still feel a little flimsy and cheap. Not enough to stop you from buying one.

Under the bonnet there are a few options too. Petrol engines include the surprisingly economical 140bhp 2.0-litre (which can return best part of 40mpg) as well as a smaller 110bhp 1.6-litre and later 130bhp 1.4-litre turbo engine too. If petrol is your thing, opt for the latter.

Diesel was the more popular option and there’s a greater pool to fish in, especially for our £4000 budget. The smallest diesel is the 1.5 dci; with 108bhp – the least powerful but is adequate for most uses and the later (post-february 2012) cars enjoy road tax at just £20 per year. Compare that with the £275 it will cost to tax an early 2.0 dci – the extra 50bhp (only 40bhp if you go for an auto) certainly feels snappier to drive, but if most of your journeys will be running the kids to school and around town, you must ask if you really need it.

On the flip side, if you are planning on doing lots of motorway travelling – especially fully-loaded with all seven seats in use – the little 1.5-litre might struggle. The 1.9-litre dci with its

130bhp and £170-per-year road tax might prove the ideal middle ground.

Either way, there’s an engine option to suit, and you can benefit from the rest of the Grand Scenic’s offerings.