The claim for this engine goes: “The power of a 1.8 and torque of a 2.0-litre, with the economy of a 1.6.” And in reality it’s not far off the mark.
Inevitably, full of fuel, our well equipped test Grand Scenic weighed more than the claimed 1430kg kerb weight. Quite a lot more at 1575kg. So this is not a brisk car. However, given its weight, the 11.0sec it takes to complete the 0-60mph sprint is reasonable, while in-gear performance is acceptable.
Better than the headline figures, however, is the smooth, refined and quiet nature of this engine’s power delivery. At idle its recorded 38dB is not a great deal louder than the ambient noise level. The six-speed manual gearbox is notchier than we’d like, but the control weights of the clutch and throttle are good.
And as for that claimed economy? We saw 36.4mpg on our standard touring route – a figure which an equivalent diesel-engined Grand Scenic would undoubtedly monster. In more general driving the 1.4 TCe engine consumed fuel at a rate of 28.4mpg overall.
Its ride is very good – pillowy over low-speed lumps and thumps, aided not just by its fulsome kerb weight but also by modestly wide tyres on tall, 60-profile sidewalls. As such, the suspension can be set tightly enough without harming its secondary ride across high-frequency surface imperfections, yet it retains an entirely acceptable degree of control over its body movements across large dips and crests.
The suspension is not so tight, however, that the Grand Scenic is immune to the effects of crosswinds, which it is not keen on at all. And if you ask a lot of the chassis the Grand Scenic does what it can, steering far more consistently than many recent Renaults, but there’s still little feedback through the helm.
Given the lack of finesse to the ride of some Mégane hatchbacks and the Laguna Coupé, we’ll gladly trade the Grand Scenic’s shortcomings in agility for the comfort it affords its occupants.
