Renault ScenicJuly 2009

The latest Scenic is a major part of Renault's effort to re-establish itself as the MPV market leader. This practical, family-friendly five-seater is meant to be a little sexier and better to drive than the previous model ? and it's also well priced, undercutting the old Scenic by £2,000, on average model for model.

To maximise the Scenic's appeal, Renault is offering a wide range of powertrains and trims to choose between. Petrol engines include a 108bhp 1.6-litre unit; a more modern 128bhp 1.4-litre turbo; and a range-topping 141bhp 2.0-litre that comes with a CVT automatic gearbox. Most buyers are expected to choose the diesel alternatives, however, which include a frugal 1.5-litre with 85bhp or 105bhp; a 1.9-litre with 128bhp; or a 147bhp 2.0-litre available either as an automatic or manual.

Generally speaking, any Scenic should prove cheap to run, offering value-for-money motoring combined with practicality. That said, the Scenic doesn't deliver as on the latter characteristic as emphatically as we'd like. Its larger dimensions make it very spacious inside, but the rear seats don't fold flat to maximise load space and, although they can be removed, their bulk makes this a tricky process. Big shopping sessions at Ikea are out.

Renault's reliability record is also a worry: the French brand is still at the wrong end of the league table in recent JD Power customer satisfaction surveys.

Those drawbacks aside, though, the Scenic certainly drives in a more sure-footed manner than its predecessor and is impressive on the road compared to many of its MPV rivals. High levels of refinement, including a pleasingly muted cabin, help make long trips that bit more bearable.