THE innovators of this world generally discover that there are two major rewards for their success.
Firstly there are the material and social rewards which accompany their world firsts, and secondly, by breaking the mould they awaken a whole raftful of imitators inspired to beat or better the original creation.
It is to Renault's great credit that other carmakers looked hard and longingly at the ground-breaking Megane Scenic back in 1997, before setting about creating their own versions of the Compact or Mini MPV.
And for almost six years now, the creation of Compact MPVs has been a priority for many manufacturers and, if my mathematics are correct, almost a dozen contenders are now vying for a piece of the action where, once, the Renault Scenic stood alone.
The whole concept of the Compact MPV was aimed at carbuyers with a lifestyle, or those likely to be persuaded to get one - a lifestyle, that is - in a car housing a boxful of clever tricks and more places in which to lose things than you can shake a stick at while providing family-style roominess.
One of the preternders to the Scenic's throne is the recently revised Nissan Almera Tino, a five-door car with three-engine options - 1.8 and two litre petrol and a 2.2 direct injection diesel - plus four trim levels from which to choose.
Our test car was the SE trimmed model housing the 2.0-litre petrol engine - a quite frisky performer.
Like its larger stablemate, the full-blown people carrier, the main strengths of the Compact MPV are flexible interior space, storage hidey holes aplenty, plus seating versatility and the Almera Tino fits the bill well, proving to be a true family affair.
Remarkably roomy, being 50mm wider than the Almera Hatchback on which it is based, the Tino ensures that "the kids are united" by the amount of thought given to their particular needs when on board.
While I didn't feel disposed to count them, the Tino boasts more than a score of places in which to keep things together, two of which, situated under the rear seat footwells, are particularly kiddy-conscious.
Here, there are a brace of personalised baskets in which the youngsters can not only store their provisions for the trip, the containers can also be carried out with them at journey's end.
Tino also houses the obligatory cupholders front and rear, a centre console storage area rigged for silent running, a drawer under the front seat, seat back tables and much more.
But, perhaps one of the most thoughtful touches on board is the multi-fold rear parcel shelf which allows rear seat occupants to reach into the highly accommodating luggage bay by simply folding back one of the flaps.
Seating on board the Tino is like a theatre booking clerk's "nightmare" boasting a couple of dozen configurations of positioning for pews which will tip, slide or simply vanish into the garage.
On the road the 2.0-litrepower unit is a reasonably nippy performer, but didn't appear to give off its best mated to the test car's continuously variable transmission system (CVT) - but then, I am a self-confessed fan of manual gearchanges as opposed to the autobox!
However, ride quality and refinement proved quite impressive on the move, the Almera underpinnings and torsional stability taking the Tino through a series of bends in pretty family friendly fashion.
While not boldly innovative, the Almera Tino is a good looking, well put together, reliable example of the genre, having closely followed the Scenic route in its quest to join this ever-increasing circle of models catering for members of the lifestyle lobby.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Almera Tino 2.0-Litre SE Auto
Price: £15,600
Mechanical: 136bhp, 4 cyl 1,998cc petrol engine driving front wheels via CVT automatic transmission
Max speed: 111mph
0-60mph: 12.3 secs
Combined mpg: 30.4
Insurance group: 7
CO2 emissions: 223g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint