Renault Scenic 1.6 - a muddy drive?
Discussion
Test drove an 8 year old Scenic, and it felt like a muddy and distant driving experience - a lot of travel on the brake pedal before any effect; basically very little movement in first gear unless the accelerator was right down (2nd gear was much better); responsiveness of the steering wheel wasn't very immediate, and the full-lock came on very early when doing manoeuvres.
Compared to getting back into a Honda Jazz which was like driving a go-kart, every movement of the steering wheel or pedals had an immediate effect.
Did I just get a bad example of the model or will they all be like that? I remember online reviews saying the driving experience was the main drawback about the car, which otherwise seems perfect for families who don't want a massive SUV/4x4/moon buggy.
Compared to getting back into a Honda Jazz which was like driving a go-kart, every movement of the steering wheel or pedals had an immediate effect.
Did I just get a bad example of the model or will they all be like that? I remember online reviews saying the driving experience was the main drawback about the car, which otherwise seems perfect for families who don't want a massive SUV/4x4/moon buggy.
To fill in the deafening silence, from what I've gathered by reading up since, the 1.6 petrol (2013-2016) is an older engined-model and kind of renowned for being a bit crap, the 1.2 Turbo almost being a totally different car, which is borne out by the couple of test drives we've had.
I have a Megane 3 with the 1.4 TCE engine and I am very impressed with how nice it is to drive. It is smooth and quiet and has a decent amount of torque which means it is relaxing to drive.
The 1.6 has less power, less torque and peak torque is at 4200 RPM which I suspect means it feels pretty gutless in a Scenic.
I had a 1.5 DCI before this and the 1.4 TCE has a similar power delivery low down with the benefit of feeling faster and being infinitely more refined and smooth (obviously fuel economy is 50% worse)
I always thought the 1.6 petrol engine was the wrong engine for a Scenic and I would imagine the fuel economy is pretty bad.
The 1.6 has less power, less torque and peak torque is at 4200 RPM which I suspect means it feels pretty gutless in a Scenic.
I had a 1.5 DCI before this and the 1.4 TCE has a similar power delivery low down with the benefit of feeling faster and being infinitely more refined and smooth (obviously fuel economy is 50% worse)
I always thought the 1.6 petrol engine was the wrong engine for a Scenic and I would imagine the fuel economy is pretty bad.
The 1.6 is crap, gutless and no torque, it has to be worked hard which means crap fuel economy.
The 1.4 TCe I didn't like as it was so thirsty I ran a demo Grand Scenic with this engine and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get into the 30's, the best engine by far is the 1.5DCi, it's smooth, has torque and is quiet, it is better IMO than the newer and modern 1.6DCi. If you must have a petrol try and fine a 1.2 TCe.
The 1.4 TCe I didn't like as it was so thirsty I ran a demo Grand Scenic with this engine and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get into the 30's, the best engine by far is the 1.5DCi, it's smooth, has torque and is quiet, it is better IMO than the newer and modern 1.6DCi. If you must have a petrol try and fine a 1.2 TCe.
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