Renault claims to have invented the compact MPV segment in 1996 with the original Scénic; while that's debatable, it remains the poster child for the class both internationally and in South Africa. But that doesn't mean La Regie has been resting on its laurels; the Scénic and its "stretched" sibling the Grand Scénic have been upgraded for 2012 in terms of style, safety and function.
The entry-level Expression now has dark metal finishes on the door handles, tailgate bar and front bumper trim, while the side protection mouldings are now colour-coded . Front and rear parking sensors are now standard across the range and the upscale Dynamique Plus gets 17" alloys. An electronic stability programme with anti-skid is now standard across the range.
The Expression also has new 'Erevan' Teflon-treated dark grey upholstery. Renault says the look and feel of the fabric is no different to standard upholstery, but it shrugs off water and oil stains, and resists marks and dust.
Do we hear every soccer mom from Sandton to Strandfontein cheering?
The Dynamique Plus has full leather trim, (including the gear knob!) with power adjustment for the front seats.
Expression models get satin-chromed decorative dashboard mouldings for the air vents, while the Dynamique Plus boasts a black enamel finish.
Whatever the variant, the customisable liquid-crystal instrument display's 'Eco-Drive' function now includes a graph of instantaneous fuel consumption, superimposed on the average consumption reading.
The gear change indicator is also more visible, and the pictogram becomes larger and changes colour after six seconds, to prompt you to change gear. And you get a report-back when you switch off the engine, to help you improve your driving style.
Carminat TomTom satnav is now standard across the range, with a clearer image, more intuitive address input and uprated Live connectivity that includes HD Traffic for up-to-the-minute traffic information, fixed camera warnings, real-time weather information and Google Local Search.
The Live system comes with a free three-month trial period, after which an annual subscription will keep you online while you're en route.
NUTS AND BOLTS
The 1.6-litre 16v Expression is rated for 83kW at 6000rpm and 151Nm at 4250rpm, and the six-speed manual gearbox takes it from 0-100 in a claimed 11.7 seconds and on to 185km/h at a cost of 7.5 litres per 100km and 174 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
The 1.9-litre dCi Dynamique Plus - available in standard five-seater and larger seven-seater Grand Scénic format - churns out a quoted 96kW at 3750rpm and 300Nm from 1 750rpm. Linked to a six-speed manual, it'll take the Scénic from 0-100 in 10.6 seconds (11.5 for the Grand Scénic) and a top speed of 195km/h.
The Scénic 1.9 dCi is rated at 5.5 litres per 100km and 145 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
PRICES
Scénic 1.6 16v Expression - R244 900
Scénic 1.9 dCi Dynamique Plus - R289 900
Grand Scénic 1.9 dCi Dynamique Plus - R299 900
Every Scénic comes with a five-year or 150 000km warranty, a five-year or 150 000km roadside assistance plan (including a 'Stand by You' security guard service) and a five-year or 100 000km service plan.