Review Renault Scenic Megane rented from Enterprise

How will a fan of a classic vehicle like the VW type 2 camper van take to a contemporary style MPV, in particular, the Renault Scenic. I found out when I unexpectedly came to drive a courtesy Scenic when our family car went in for repair.

I have a love-hate relationship with both new cars and old cars. I love the classic style and period charm of older vehicles but as someone who doesn't have time to do repairs myself, I'm frustrated by their unreliability and the time effort and money required to keep them running.

I love the reliability and safety features of modern cars, but find most of them bland and uninspiring from a design point of view. Many MPVs I think look like a blob on wheels. `I just can't get excited about most modern cars.

So how about the Scenic?

On first sight, you can't miss the fact that this vehicle is part of the Renault family with its striking French-style lines and details, particularly around the headlamps and rear light clusters. This was a Scenic Megane with the characteristic bulging rear end and corner windows raked backwards. The metallic silver looked great, an all purpose colour for a Multi-Purpose Vehicle.

I love that 'new car' smell when you get inside a hire car. This one was in pristine state inside.

The driving position is higher than an ordinary car. The tiny gear stick is mounted high and forward. There are some innovative features that take a little getting used to at first, but then you grow to like them.

Instead of a key there's a plastic card about a quarter of an inch thick that fits loosely into a slot to the left of the steering wheel. You start the engine by pressing a button, like on a Bentley. I love that feature. Then there's the automatic handbrake. A gentle pull is all that's needed and the brake engages automatically, and you don't have to release it when you move off.

This makes hill starts very easy. I tried it out on the cobbled Jutland Street Manchester city centre's steepest street, and it was great fun.

Fun to drive but a car that could make you develop bad habits
Fun is how the Renault Scenic was to drive, especially going over Manchester's many speed bumps. The suspension just eats up the bumps, reducing them to a very satisfying up and down motion.

You could start to develop bad habits driving this vehicle - speeding up at speed bumps to for the up and down motion, forgetting about the handbrake, also forgetting about the headlights, they come on automatically. I nearly forgot about the petrol, unfortunately the Renault Scenic uses it up like any other car. There's a warning sound, a flashing warning light and remaining mileage calculator. The consumption seemed reasonable.

The big selling point for this and any other MPV is the amount of space inside. Plenty of room to put three people, adults side by side at the back, with two at the front, and even more children.

There are under-floor storage trays in front of all four seats where you can stow things. The boot is quite spacious. Interior lighting is nice, with lights on the lower doors as well above front and rear seats, all fade in and out.

The mini-tray tables on the backs of the rear seats were a big hit with our five-year old VIP passenger. In fact she said 'I love this car, can we keep it?'

Unfortunately we couldn't keep it and I was sorry to have to give it back.

French-style futuristic charm and plenty of space
It may not have the retro look and period charm of the VW Camper Van but the Scenic has lots of contemporary style - more than competitor MPVs - bags of space, all those reassuring safety features, and a French-style futuristic techno charm. It gets a thumbs up from me - and from our 5 year old VIP!