Following their world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show earlier in the year, Renault has confirmed UK pricing and specification for its facelifted Scénic range, including the new Scénic XMOD. Prices start from just £17,955, with XMOD aggressively priced at the same as the equivalent standard Scénic, in spite of its enhanced looks and higher equipment level.
After selling more than 4.3 million Scénics since its original launch in 1996, the third-generation continues to be seen by many as the benchmark MPV. For 2013, rather than leaving the Dacia Duster to steal the SUV limelight on its own, Renault is tapping into the trend for off-road-look inspired cars. It isn’t the first time the French marque has dipped its toe in the area. Most recently, it sold the Conquest special edition of the five-seat Scénic. Prior to that, there was the highly acclaimed RX4, however, that did offer full off-road 4×4 capability.
Together with the facelifted five-seat Scénic and seven-seater Grand Scénic, which each now feature the company’s new design identity, as seen on each of its latest arrivals, Twingo, Clio, Captur and ZOE, Renault is looking to cover every base in the hotly contested C-segment.
In terms of looks, most of the changes to the Scénic range has centred around freshening up its face. The famous logo at the front is now bigger and set against a gloss black background that emphasises the new grille. Elegant lines and high-quality materials also help to enhance the MPV’s dynamic, family-oriented feel.
The crossover-inspired Scénic XMOD, starting from £17,955, comes in two well-equipped trim levels, Expression+ and Dynamique TomTom. The revised Scénic and Grand Scénics in Dynamique TomTom trim, starting from £19,155 and £20,355 respectively.
New Scénic XMOD
The new crossover-inspired version, XMOD, is a more rugged variant of the French brand’s iconic MPV, yet retains its trademark practicality and ease-of-use. With unique wheels and striking front and rear bumpers, and black roof bars it certainly stands out.
It also comes with additional equipment over its Scénic sister car. It debuts Renault’s new advanced traction control system, Grip Xtend. Coupled with specific Continental mud and snow tyres, it also features body protection mouldings, giving it the outdoor look and feel. Mud and snow tyres are for all year round use, featuring specific tread patterns which aid the evacuation of mud, snow and sand in more difficult driving conditions.
Its boot capacity is up to 555 litres with the rear seats slid forward, rising to 1,870 with the rear seats removed completely, one of the biggest in its class. Additionally, no less than 86 litres of additional stowage space are cleverly spread around the cabin. New Scénic XMOD offers simple, effective and fast modularity: the seats are independent, folding and removable to provide a host of seating configurations for the occupants.
Grip Xtend
New Scénic XMOD is the first vehicle in the Renault range to feature the all-new Grip Xtend system. Using a rotary switch, users can select this advanced traction control system to enable the car to grip the road confidently in difficult driving conditions (mud, sand and fresh snow) to combat the topsy-turvy British weather.
There are three modes available, ‘Road’, ‘Loose Ground’ and ‘Expert’. In ‘Expert’ mode, Grip Xtend manages the braking system, while leaving the driver in full control of the engine torque. The ‘Road’ mode offers conventional traction control settings, with ASR optimising grip by controlling braking on the front wheels and engine torque, plus any wheel that skids is slowed down and torque transferred to the wheel with the best grip. This mode automatically reconnects at speeds of over 25 mph. The ‘Loose Ground’ mode optimises braking control and engine torque control as a function of available grip up to 25 mph.
The new XMOD comes with a high level of specification. Even from the entry Expression+: it includes 16-inch ‘Tundra’ alloys or ‘Frontier’ design wheels with Grip Xtend and mud and snow tyres, Hill Start Assist. Moving up to Dynamique TomTom adds dual zone climate control, auto lights and wipers and Carminat TomTom ‘Live’ satellite navigation
Scénic and Grand Scénic Dynamique TomTom are equally well specified too. Among its core features are 16-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, Carminat TomTom ‘Live’ satellite navigation and rear parking sensors.
Across each of the three models in the new-look Scénic range, a total of five engines are available. Three petrol: 1.6 VVT 110, 1.2 TCe 115 Stop & Start and 1.2 TCe 130 Stop & Start. Plus, two diesel: 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start & 1.6 dCi 130 Stop & Start. One version of Scenic XMOD Expression+ also has the 1.5 dCi 110 available without Stop & Start if a customer prefers to not specify it on cost grounds. Renault’s six-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission is available on the 1.5 dCi 110, unlike the hot Clios, without paddleshifters.
The new Scénic range features a range of four Renault ENERGY engines, designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and running costs, while maximising driving enjoyment and reliability.
Especially noteworthy is the brand-new TCe 130 Stop & Start engine, boasting a 15% improvement on fuel consumption over the previous TCe 130 unit. This particularly smooth, yet responsive powerplant, combines genuine driving enjoyment and lively performance at all speeds.
The high-selling 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start also boasts some headline-grabbing statistics. On a combined cycle, it’s capable of 68.9 mpg, while its emissions, at 105 g/km and benefit-in-kind of only 16%, also keep its running costs considerably low.
Typically for Scénic, there are a wealth of comfort and luxury-oriented options. In addition to an electric panoramic sunroof and sliding centre console, there are seven Packs available. The finest, BOSE+ Pack, is available on Scénic XMOD and Grand Scénic costing £1,500. Among the features within the other six are a rear parking camera with front parking sensors, Renault’s Visio System lane departure warning with automatic high and low beam, five fully adaptable headrests, dark carbon leather and sliding centre console.
Also new for the new-look Scénic range are two colours, Saffron Yellow on XMOD and Dune on all three.
Full UK pricing for the new Scénic range is outlined below for each of the three models.
XMOD
Version Engine Combined
mpgBIK Ins.
GroupOn-the-road
priceExpression+ 1.6 VVT 110 36.7 27% 19E £17,955 1.5 dCi 110 61.4 19% 19E £19,745 Dynamique TomTom 1.6 VVT 110 36.7 27% 19E £19,155 1.2 TCe 115 S&S 46.3 20% 18E £20,250 1.5 dCi 110 S&S 68.9 16% 19E £21,095 1.5 dCi 110 EDC 60.1 19% 19E £22,195 1.6 dCi 130 S&S 64.2 17% 24E £22,195 (including BOSE+ Pack) 1.2 TCe 130 S&S 44.1 21% 20E £22,100 Scénic
Version Engine Combined
mpgBIK Ins.
GroupOn-the-road
priceDynamique TomTom 1.6 VVT 110 38.2 26% 19E £19,155 1.2 TCe 115 S&S 47.9 19% 18E £20,250 1.2 TCe 130 S&S 45.6 20% 20E £20,600 1.5 dCi 110 S&S 68.9 16% 19E £21,095 1.5 dCi 110 EDC 60.1 19% 19E £22,195 1.6 dCi 130 S&S 64.2 17% 23E £22,195 
Grand Scénic
Version Engine Combined
mpgBIK Ins.
GroupOn-the-road
priceDynamique TomTom 1.6 VVT 110 36.7 27% 19E £20,355 1.2 TCe 115 S&S 46.3 20% 19E £21,450 1.2 TCe 130 S&S 44.1 21% 20E £21,800 1.5 dCi 110 S&S 68.9 16% 19E £22,295 1.5 dCi 110 EDC 60.1 19% 19E £23,395 1.6 dCi 130 S&S 64.2 17% 24E £23,395
