Renault Grand Scénic

Renault

Company type	Public
Industry	Automotive
Founded	February 25, 1899 (1899-02-25) in France
Headquarters	Boulogne-Billancourt , France
Products	Automobiles, commercial vehicles
Website	www.renault.com

The Renault Scénic (), known as Scenic in markets outside France, is a compact multi-purpose vehicle produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Launched in 1996 and built upon the Renault Mégane platform, it holds the distinction of being Europe’s inaugural small MPV and was honored with the 1997 European Car of the Year award. In May 2022, Renault declared the end of production for both the standard Scénic and its larger counterpart, the Grand Scénic.

In 2024, the model was reintroduced as the fully electric Renault Scénic E-Tech, inspired by the 2022 Renault Scénic Vision concept, with its production version revealed at the 2023 Munich Motor Show.

Among the first generation variants, the four-wheel-drive Renault Scénic RX4 stood out but was discontinued when the second generation debuted. Later generations saw the introduction of the Grand Scénic, which increased seating capacity from five to seven. Starting with the fourth generation in 2016, rear seating arrangements transitioned from three individual seats to a 1/3-2/3 bench design as part of cost-saving measures.

First generation (1996)

The Mégane Scénic was derived from Renault’s 1991 S.C.E.N.I.C. concept car (Safety Concept Embodied in a New Innovative Car), developed under Anne Asensio’s direction.

Released in November 1996, this compact multi-purpose vehicle was positioned below Renault’s Espace in size and price. It shared its mechanical base with the Mégane hatchback, featuring petrol engines ranging from 1.4 L to 2.0 L and a 1.9 L diesel variant. Although it retained independent seating, sliding doors were not included in the production version.

To highlight its European origin amid increasing competition from Japanese automakers, Renault incorporated an acute accent into its name, branding it as Mégane Scénic.

Initially considered a niche product with an expected daily output of just 450 units, demand quickly exceeded forecasts, leading to production at the Douai facility increasing to nearly 2,500 vehicles per day.

Facelift

In September 1999, coinciding with updates to the Mégane hatchback, the Scénic underwent a significant front-end redesign and introduced new 16-valve engines. The updated front fascia diverged more noticeably from that of the Mégane, complemented by redesigned rear lights.

Following this facelift, it was officially renamed the Renault Scénic, although a small "Mégane" badge remained on the rear door to acknowledge its origins. Production of this version ended in June 2003.

The Phase 2 revision further differentiated the Scénic by adding practical features such as a dashboard storage compartment and a tailgate with a separately opening rear window. Rear head restraints were repositioned to enhance rearward visibility for the driver.

Latin America

Between 1998 and July 2010, production of the Scénic took place in Curitiba, Brazil, aimed at South American markets with flexible-fuel engine options. From 2006 onward, Renault offered a special appearance package called the Scénic Sportway featuring black plastic bumpers and fog lamps, distinct from Europe’s RX4 version.

Moreover, assembly occurred at Nissan’s Cuernavaca plant in Mexico from December 2000 through mid-2004. This operation marked a milestone as the first cross-manufacturing effort within the Renault Nissan Alliance, underscoring their strategic collaboration.

Asia

In 2004, Iran's Kish Khodro aimed to manufacture an updated version of the Scénic called the Kish Khodro/Sinad Veek. Nevertheless, by 2005, Renault redirected its efforts towards its long-standing collaboration with SAIPA, thereby discontinuing other partnerships within Iran. Although the Sinad Veek was briefly advertised without Renault's badge, it seemingly never reached full-scale production.

Engines

1996–2003
Market name	Engine code	Displacement	Output	Torque	Valve configuration	Maximum speed
1.4	E7J	1390 cc	55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) at 6000 rpm	107 N⋅m (79 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm	SOHC	160 km/h (99 mph)
1.6	K7M	1598 cc	55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) at 5000 rpm	130 N⋅m (96 lb⋅ft) at 3400 rpm	SOHC	165 km/h (103 mph)
1.6	K7M	1598 cc	66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 5000 rpm	137 N⋅m (101 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm	SOHC	170 km/h (110 mph)
2.0	F3R	1998 cc	84 kW (114 PS; 113 hp) at 5400 rpm	168 N⋅m (124 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpm	SOHC	185 km/h (115 mph)
1.9 d	F8Q	1870 cc	48 kW (65 PS; 64 hp) at 4500 rpm	120 N⋅m (89 lb⋅ft) at 2250 rpm	SOHC	152 km/h (94 mph)
1.9 dT	F8Q	1870 cc	70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp) at 4250 rpm	176 N⋅m (130 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm	SOHC	174 km/h (108 mph)
1.9 dTi	F9Q	1870 cc	73 kW (99 PS; 98 hp) at 4000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm	SOHC   |

1999–2003							Market name	Engine code	Displacement	Power output	Torque	Valve setup	Max velocity

Scénic RX4

In 2000, Renault introduced the Scénic RX4, a four-wheel drive crossover version derived from the original Scénic, offered in both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations. It incorporated a viscous multi-plate central differential developed by Austrian company Steyr Daimler Puch, allowing for part-time all-wheel drive functionality. Significant mechanical updates comprised a redesigned rear suspension, a reinforced chassis, a gearbox modified to accommodate 4WD, and a sturdier engine undertray. Visually, it stood out with full plastic body cladding, a spare wheel affixed to the rear tailgate, and upgraded five-lug wheels replacing the standard four-lug setup.

Due to the altered rear suspension layout, the spare wheel well was reduced in size, prompting relocation of the spare tyre to a split swing-out tailgate constructed from plastic to reduce weight—however, this design choice resulted in cracking problems over time because of the spare wheel’s mass. The RX4 featured an elevated ride height with enhanced suspension travel and larger wheels compared to the conventional Scénic.

Engine options consisted of a 2.0-litre petrol and a 1.9-litre dCi diesel unit, both sourced from the Mégane range and exclusively mated to a 5-speed manual transmission; no automatic variant was available.

Trim availability differed across markets, including various versions such as Sport Alize, Privilege Monaco, Expression, Dynamique, Salomon, Sportway, and Privilege in most territories. In smaller markets like Australia, only Expression and Privilege trims were offered. Optional extras included dual electric sunroofs, premium packages featuring leather upholstery, climate control, CD players, spare wheel covers, and roof racks.

The RX4 initially enjoyed strong sales—becoming France’s top-selling 4WD vehicle in 2001—but experienced a steep decline due to gearbox durability concerns. Renault manufactured roughly 40,000 units (35,000 LHD and 5,000 RHD) before ceasing production in December 2003 following the launch of the Scénic II and disappointing sales figures. The problematic reliability of the Steyr Daimler Puch four-wheel drive system was a key factor in its withdrawal. The RX4 was partially replaced by the two-wheel drive Scénic Conquest in 2007.

Sales were notably sluggish in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Malaysia—with fewer than 500 vehicles sold in each market—and these regions only received models equipped with the petrol F4R engine due to limited demand.

By 2023, approximately 1,500 RX4s remain operational worldwide, ranking it as Renault’s second-rarest model from the 2000s after the Avantime. This scarcity is attributed to its limited production volume and difficulties sourcing replacement parts stemming from its reliability issues.

Scénic RX4
Sales designation	Engine model	Fuel type	Oil Viscosity	Aspiration	Cyl.	Displ.	Power	Torque	Valvetrain	Valves	Top speed	0-100kph
2.0 16V	F4R	Petrol	10w-40/15w-40	Naturally Aspirated	4	1998 cc	102 kW (139 PS; 137 hp) at 5500 rpm	188 N⋅m (139 lb⋅ft) at 3750 rpm	DOHC	16	180 km/h (110 mph)	11.9
1.9 dCi	F9Q	Diesel	5w-40	Turbocharged	4	1870 cc	75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp) at 4000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1500 rpm	SOHC	8	160 km/h (99 mph)	14.3