Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Scenic review (2016-2019) - Interior, design and technology

The Scenic's bold exterior gives it the edge over staid MPVs, while the interior is versatile and well-made

Find your Renault Scenic
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Renault’s design boss Laurens van den Acker has gone to great lengths to explain why the exterior look of the Scenic is so important. The only way to save the MPV sector is to make these cars more desirable, he reckons, and he’s even gone as far as saying that if this Scenic doesn’t sell, then MPVs deserve to die altogether.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You can see what he’s getting at when you first clap eyes on the Scenic. The bulbous front-end is even more striking than the Renault Kadjar, while the windscreen is steeply raked and there are loads of curves and creases.

At the back the design is softer and more rounded, while it’s raised up slightly to give it presence. You could go as far as calling it elegant, although this is still an MPV. It certainly gives the Citroen C4 SpaceTourer a run for its money, and is far less staid than many other MPV rivals. 

The 20-inch wheels are as big a design trait as the bodywork – they’re the same size as the ones you get on a Bentley Mulsanne, for example. There are several designs available, and they can even be personalised with handy inserts that clip on and off.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Kodiaq

2019 Skoda

Kodiaq

34,187 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £19,000
View Kodiaq
A-Class Saloon

2022 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

36,371 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £20,500
View A-Class Saloon
Model Y

2023 Tesla

Model Y

74,541 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £20,500
View Model Y
Stonic

2022 Kia

Stonic

29,543 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,300
View Stonic

Inside, things aren’t quite as stylish. Most of the plastics are dark and the design isn’t particularly interesting. Still, it looks smart enough and feels considerably better built than the previous generation car, with only a few squeaks and rattles on our early test model letting things down. It just lacks a bit of the plushness and airiness of the C4 SpaceTourer's interior.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The design is much the same as its Megane sistrr model, only with a less driver focused and more upright, family-friendly shape. Renault has elected to ditch the old centrally-mounted speedo and use digital instruments in the conventional place behind the wheel, which it says improves the driver’s control of the car. Top models are very well kitted-out, thanks to electric memory leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, a Bose sound system and a head-up display, plus the new portrait-style touchscreen.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Play and Iconic versions of the Scenic feature a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, but Signature models get the portrait-style 8.7-inch R-Link 2 set-up first seen in the Megane. Compared with the units in the Citroen and Ford, the Renault has the crispest graphics, the most user-friendly menus and most responsive screen, which includes a pinch and swipe function. 

As with its rivals, the screen features a number of tabs that work as shortcuts to the main functions (sat-nav, stereo and climate controls). Connecting your phone is straightforward, as is programming a destination into the nav, although we found the TomTom-powered unit often failed to highlight snarl-ups until we were in them.

All versions of the R-Link 2 system feature a 12-month subscription to the R-Link store, for access to a variety of free and paid for apps, from weather updates and Michelin guides to a concierge service and E-mail. One criticism is that there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto option. 

The system is fairly easy to operate, although it can be slow to swap between menus, which spoils the experience somewhat. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,429 off RRP*
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,514 off RRP*Used from £11,195
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £10,450 off RRP*Used from £11,850
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £3,033 off RRP*Used from £11,900
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

400bhp family SUVs have become common in the EV era, but they're completely pointless
Opinion - Volvo XC40 Recharge

400bhp family SUVs have become common in the EV era, but they're completely pointless

Editor Paul Barker thinks new car firms don't have heritage behind them, so power figures and straight line speed are an easy way to grab headlines
Opinion
15 Oct 2025
New Leapmotor B10 2025 review: budget brand's best EV yet
Leapmotor B10 - front action

New Leapmotor B10 2025 review: budget brand's best EV yet

The new Leapmotor B10 is a serious player in the small electric SUV sector, boasting good range, plenty of kit and a tempting price tag
Road tests
14 Oct 2025
New Volkswagen T-Roc ride review: small SUV shows plenty of promise
Volkswagen T-Roc prototype - front

New Volkswagen T-Roc ride review: small SUV shows plenty of promise

We ride shotgun in the latest Volkswagen T-Roc, giving us a taste of what’s shaping up to be next year’s hottest small SUV
Road tests
16 Oct 2025