BUYER’S GUIDE: Renault Scenic

Running costs

70-72mpg (1.5 dCi 110)

£71 fill-up

Performance

0-62mph/top speed

12.4 seconds/114mph

MANUFACTURERS generally play safe with their cars because getting it wrong can prove disastrous – but not all companies are the same. Renault stands out when it comes to taking risks and innovating, and while some of its business decisions have been questionable over the years (such as the Avantime and Vel Satis), this French firm has also created some all-time greats.

These include the 1960s R4 and R16, while in the 1990s it came up with the Scenic, a brilliant, Mégane-based MPV. Rivals latched on, and soon there were numerous small MPVs on the market – but changing tastes mean virtually all have now disappeared, including the Scenic and its bigger, seven-seat brother, the Grand Scenic.