Which Renault Scenic Version Should You Buy?
The Renault Scenic catalogue covers eight production phases grouped into four generations, from the first-generation Compact Van of 1996–1999 to the fourth generation of 2016–2022. The best choice depends on priorities.
The Renault Scenic catalogue covers eight production phases grouped into four generations, from the first-generation Compact Van of 1996–1999 to the fourth generation of 2016–2022. The best choice depends on priorities. The fourth-generation 1.3 EDC with 163 hp delivers the quickest measured acceleration at 9.1 seconds to 100 km/h, while its 5.4 l/100 km combined consumption is substantially lower than that of many earlier Gasoline versions. For minimum measured consumption, the fourth-generation Hybrid 1.5 MT records 3.5 l/100 km combined, although acceleration and top speed are not measured. Buyers seeking AWD must look to the first-generation restyling, where selected 1.9 MT and 2.0 MT versions combine AWD with 180 mm ground clearance.
Renault Scenic generations and the versions worth comparing
The first generation ran from 1996 to 2004 as a Compact Van. The original 1996–1999 phase had 8 versions, followed by a 1999–2004 restyling with 17. Early models use Gasoline or Diesel engines, with Manual and Automatic gearboxes. Most are FWD, but the restyled range includes AWD. Among those AWD choices, the 1.9 MT with 107 hp produces 250 Nm, while the 2.0 MT with 140 hp produces 189 Nm. Both have 180 mm ground clearance.
The second generation ran from 2003 to 2009 as a Compact Van. Its original 2003–2007 phase had 16 versions, while the 2006–2009 restyling had 19. The range spans 1.4 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 MT5, 1.5 MT6, 1.9 MT, 1.9 AT, 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT configurations. Depending on the exact version, output ranges from 80 hp to 165 hp. Every listed second-generation version is FWD.
The third generation ran from 2009 to 2015 as a Compact Van. The 2009–2012 phase had 20 versions, the 2012–2013 restyling had 11, and the 2013–2015 second restyling had 10. Its broad choice includes Gasoline and Diesel engines plus Manual, Automatic, Robotic and Variable transmissions. The strongest listed third-generation version is the 2.0 MT Diesel with 160 hp and 380 Nm; the most economical measured versions are the 1.5 MT Diesels with 3.9 l/100 km combined consumption in the 2013–2015 phase.
The fourth generation ran from 2016 to 2022 as a Compact Van and had 21 versions. The supplied catalogue shows 12 of them: 1.2 MT; four 1.3 MT and 1.3 EDC power variants; three 1.5 Diesel versions; two 1.6 Diesel versions; and a Hybrid 1.5 MT. All listed versions are turbocharged and FWD. This generation offers 170 mm ground clearance and a 52-litre tank.
Renault Scenic engine specs
Because several version names repeat, the generation or power output is essential when identifying a car.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth, 1.2 MT | 130 hp | 205 Nm | 1198 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.3 MT (115 hp) | 115 hp | 220 Nm | 1333 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.3 MT (140 hp) | 140 hp | 240 Nm | 1333 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.3 MT (160 hp) | 160 hp | 260 Nm | 1333 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.3 EDC (160 hp) | 160 hp | 270 Nm | 1333 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.3 EDC (163 hp) | 163 hp | 270 Nm | 1333 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.5 MT (95 hp) | 95 hp | 240 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.5 MT (110 hp Diesel) | 110 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.5 EDC | 110 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.6 MT | 130 hp | 320 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.6 EDC | 160 hp | 380 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6 | FWD |
| Fourth, 1.5 MT (110 hp Hybrid) | 110 hp | 260 Nm | 1461 cc | Hybrid | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.2 MT (115 hp) | 115 hp | 190 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.2 MT (130 hp) | 130 hp | 205 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.4 MT | 130 hp | 190 Nm | 1390–1397 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.6 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 151 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 2.0 MT (140/143 hp Gasoline) | 140–143 hp | 190–195 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 2.0 CVT | 140 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third, 1.5 MT (86–110 hp) | 86–110 hp | 200–241 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.5 EDC | 106–110 hp | 240–260 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6–7 | FWD |
| Third, 1.5 AT | 110 hp | 240 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 1.5 CVT | 105 hp | 240 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third, 1.6 MT | 130 hp | 320 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 2.0 MT (160 hp Diesel) | 160 hp | 380 Nm | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Third, 2.0 AT/2.0 AT6 | 150 hp | 340–360 Nm | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 6 | FWD |
| Second, 1.4 MT | 98 hp | 127 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| Second, 2.0 MT (136 hp) | 136 hp | 191 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Second, 2.0 MT (165 hp) | 165 hp | 270 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Second, 1.5 MT/1.5 MT5/1.5 MT6 | 80–105 hp | 185–240 Nm | 1461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5–6 | FWD |
| Second, 1.9 MT | 100–120 hp | 200–270 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5–6 | FWD |
| Second, 1.9 AT | 120 hp | 270 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| Second, 2.0 MT (150 hp Diesel) | 150 hp | 340 Nm | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Second, 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 340 Nm | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 6 | FWD |
| First, 1.4 MT | 75–95 hp | 112–127 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| First, 1.6 MT | 90–107 hp | 137–148 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| First, 1.6 AT | 90 hp | 137 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| First, 1.8 MT | 116 hp | 158 Nm | 1783 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| First, 2.0 MT | 114–140 hp | 168–189 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD/AWD |
| First, 2.0 AT | 114 hp | 168 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| First, 1.9 MT | 64–107 hp | 118–250 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No/Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD/AWD |
| First, 1.9 AT | 98 hp | 200 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
Among the fourth-generation Gasoline engines, the 1.2 MT produces about 108.5 hp per litre. The 115 hp, 140 hp, 160 hp and 163 hp versions of the 1.3 produce about 86.3, 105.0, 120.0 and 122.3 hp per litre respectively. The 1.3 EDC with 163 hp therefore combines the highest output per litre in this comparison with the quickest measured acceleration.
Performance, fuel economy and mpg-related figures
The fourth-generation 1.3 EDC with 163 hp reaches 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and 200 km/h, using 6.8 l/100 km in the city, 4.8 l/100 km on the highway and 5.4 l/100 km combined. The 160 hp 1.3 EDC takes 9.3 seconds and reaches the same 200 km/h; its fuel consumption is not measured. The Manual 1.3 MT with 160 hp takes 10.0 seconds and reaches 210 km/h, but fuel consumption is not measured.
For economy, the fourth-generation Hybrid 1.5 MT records 4.1 l/100 km city, 3.6 l/100 km highway and 3.5 l/100 km combined, with 92 g/km CO2. Acceleration and top speed are not measured. The Diesel 1.5 MT versions with 95 hp and 110 hp both record 3.9 l/100 km combined. They take 13.7 and 12.4 seconds respectively to reach 100 km/h, so the additional 15 hp cuts 1.3 seconds without increasing the stated combined consumption.
The 1.6 EDC Diesel produces 160 hp and 380 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and has a 200 km/h top speed. Its 4.5 l/100 km combined figure matches the 130 hp 1.6 MT, although the EDC is 0.7 l/100 km less economical in the city and 0.2 l/100 km less economical on the highway.
For the 2013–2015 third-generation range, the 2.0 MT Diesel with 160 hp is the quickest measured option at 9.1 seconds and the fastest at 205 km/h. Its combined consumption is 6.6 l/100 km. The 1.5 MT Diesel with 110 hp uses 4.9 l/100 km and takes 12.5 seconds, saving 1.7 l/100 km at the cost of 3.4 seconds in acceleration.
Performance, economy or both are not measured for several catalogue versions, including the fourth-generation 160 hp 1.3 MT and 160 hp 1.3 EDC, the third-generation 1.5 CVT, and multiple early first-generation versions. Those missing figures should not be inferred from similarly named cars.
Renault Scenic dimensions, weight and ground clearance
Exterior length, width, height, wheelbase and trunk space are not measured in the supplied data, so Renault Scenic dimensions for specific model years and Renault Scenic trunk space cannot be compared here.
The fourth-generation kerb-weight range among the listed versions is 1413–1557 kg, while gross weight ranges from 1996 to 2133 kg. Ground clearance is 170 mm, tank capacity is 52 litres, and wheel sizes are not measured. The 163 hp 1.3 EDC weighs 1427 kg, equal to about 8.8 kg per horsepower. The 160 hp 1.3 EDC weighs 1557 kg, equal to about 9.7 kg per horsepower.
Third-generation listed kerb weights range from 1320 to 1618 kg. Ground clearance is 120 mm and tank capacity is 60 litres. Recorded wheel sizes include 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 205/60 R16, 205/55 R17, 225/50 R17 and 225/45 R18, depending on version.
Second-generation listed kerb weights range from 1315 to 1480 kg where measured. Ground clearance is 120 or 130 mm, and every listed version has a 60-litre tank. Recorded wheel sizes include 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16 and 205/60 R16.
First-generation kerb weights range from 1105 to 1560 kg where measured. Most versions have 120 mm ground clearance, while the AWD restyled versions have 180 mm. Tank capacity is 60 litres. Recorded wheel sizes include 195/60 R15, 205/55 R16 and 215/65 R16.
Which Renault Scenic version to choose
For the strongest all-round numerical case, choose the fourth-generation 1.3 EDC with 163 hp. Against the 115 hp 1.3 MT, it adds 48 hp and 50 Nm, reduces acceleration time by 2.2 seconds, and still records the same 5.4 l/100 km combined consumption. Its 1427 kg kerb weight is only 14 kg above that of the 115 hp car.
For the lowest measured consumption, choose the fourth-generation Hybrid 1.5 MT. Its 3.5 l/100 km combined result is 0.4 l/100 km below the 95 hp and 110 hp Diesel 1.5 MT versions, while its 92 g/km CO2 figure is 8 g/km below their 100 g/km. The trade-off is incomplete performance data: acceleration and top speed are not measured.
For high torque with low consumption, choose the fourth-generation 1.6 EDC. It delivers 380 Nm and 4.5 l/100 km combined. The 163 hp 1.3 EDC is 3 hp stronger and accelerates 1.6 seconds faster, but supplies 110 Nm less torque and uses 0.9 l/100 km more fuel combined.
For a third-generation balance, the 2013–2015 1.6 MT Diesel offers 130 hp, 320 Nm, 10.3-second acceleration and 4.4 l/100 km combined. Compared with the 160 hp 2.0 MT Diesel, it gives up 30 hp and 60 Nm but saves 2.2 l/100 km combined while matching its 195 km/h-class alternatives with a 195 km/h top speed.
For AWD and maximum listed ground clearance, choose a first-generation-restyling AWD version. The 1.9 MT with 107 hp has 250 Nm and 7.4 l/100 km combined, while the 2.0 MT with 140 hp has 189 Nm and 9.5 l/100 km combined. The Gasoline car adds 33 hp, but the Diesel provides 61 Nm more torque and uses 2.1 l/100 km less fuel.
Questions about whether a Renault Scenic is a good car, engine failure warnings, engine-management-light resets, engine oil type, oil capacity, reliability or parts cannot be answered from these specifications. The catalogue contains performance, consumption, weight and mechanical-layout data, but no fault history, maintenance specification or reliability measurements.