‘Fitness for purpose’ is an old cliché that motor journalists wheel out every now and again, usually when the car’s so dull they can’t think of much to say. The phrase kept popping into my head as I drove the new Megane Scenic. Not because the car is dull, it isn’t, or because I can’t think of anything to say, but because, considering the target market, the Scenic is perhaps a perfect fit for its purpose.
This particular Scenic featured the new DCT automatic gearbox from Renault. It’s similar to the DSG double clutch box fitted to numerous VW’s, Skodas and Audi’s. It’s a measure of Renault’s success that I totally failed to notice it for a while, so seamless is its operation. Something that cannot be said of DSG equipped VW group cars which suffer from clumsy and jerky changes, particularly at urban speeds. You can use the gearlever to manually change up and down but left to its own devices it’s utterly painless and user friendly. Much like the whole car in fact. The steering at parking speeds is perfectly weighted, the ride pillow smooth and the engine very quiet, the 1.5 diesel unit emitting a distant grumble only under hard acceleration.
It doesn’t handle as well as a Ford C-Max, nor will it go round the Nurburgring in less than ten minutes but, unless you intend to rob a bank, that just doesn’t matter. On the limit handling is not really what a family friendly junior MPV is all about. What these cars should major on is ease of use and the ability to fit seamlessly into family life. This is where the Megane Scenic delivers in spades. On a wet Wednesday, in a crowded Tesco car park, loaded up with restless children and tired adults is where this car has to be strong. And it is. You get the impression that this car has been designed by people who actually have children, and who live in the real world.
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The Scenic has some really clever, child friendly touches as standard, most notably blinds built into the doors to keep the little ones cool in bright sunlight and, crucially, air vents on the B-pillars for the same purpose. The rear seats can be configured in all sorts of ways depending on what, or whom, you are carrying. Clever stuff. As is the centrally located colour LCD screen which serves as a dashboard, it’s really rather nifty, with graphics not dissimilar to those on the Jaguar XF. The interior is very well assembled and much airier than the Vauxhall Zafira, the car feels all of a piece and there are no rattles and groans. The only real problem is the slightly flimsy and awkward trays fitted to the back of the front seats which I managed to break simply by using them.
What’s the market like?
The new shape Megane Scenic is a very new car on the second hand market. Currently there are only 10 or so for sale in the UK – all diesel with about 10,000 miles on the clock. They are going for about £12,500 which is a saving of 30% off the new price. Look out for Renault’s excellent range of 1.4 turbo petrols – they suit the car well and are likely to undercut the 1.5 diesel by £1000.00 at least. If you wait 6 moths then there will be a far greater choice of cars as the pre-registered dealer cars filter through to the market.
What else will this budget buy?
This kind of money gets you a choice of many other highly capable cars. Check out the excellent new Vauxhall Meriva – it’s bigger than the last model and features novel ‘suicide doors’. Prices for nearly new cars are comparative but the Megane is bigger inside and out. You can get Citroen’s C4 Picasso and Picasso for similar money. £12,500 also gets you a one year old 1.6 diesel Grand Picasso which has 7 seats though the mileage will be slightly higher than the Scenic.
Summary
The Megane Scenic makes total sense. As fit for purpose as you can get. Hugely practical, well built and pretty stylish, both you and the kids will love it.
Words: Tom Greenwood