We review the Renault Scenic XMOD from price to economy and all its features
RENAULT have also given their Scenic the X factor — with a style makeover.
The XMOD is a pimped-up version of their recently facelifted five-seat MPV.
Ironically, their Scenic has never been picturesque — but a bit of plastic cladding and new alloys give it a bit more panache.
It also gets a host of extra kit with beefy bumpers, sill guards, roof bars, raised ground clearance, new traction control system Grip Xtend and mud and snow tyres.
It looks and sounds like a 4x4, but isn’t — it’s still only a two-wheel-drive. This is a people carrier that can cope with most conditions in our winter.
The good news is that it starts cheap. The XMOD gets a new entry-level Expression+ trim at £17,955. That means its starting price undercuts the regular Scenic by £1,200.
The boot will hold a useful 437 litres even with the rear seats in place, although the Ford C-Max has a bigger load bay.
The 1.5litre diesel I drove was decent enough for an MPV. It’s fairly undemanding, which is handy when the school run is the most regular jaunt this car will make.
Body roll is kept to a minimum by MPV standards and the suspension deals OK with our dreadful roads — but it does become louder on the worst surfaces.
The 1.6 dCi 130 is the better of the two diesels to drive, but it costs £22,195, so the cheaper 1.5 dCi 110 makes better sense — in Expression+ trim. It’s not available with stop-start in this trim, but still averages 61mpg officially and emits just 120g/km CO2, so it’s cheap to run.
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Grip Extend is what the XMOD is all about, though. This advanced traction control system makes its debut, and is controlled via a centre console-mounted rotary switch. There are three modes — Expert, which applies the brakes automatically; Loose Ground, which optimises braking and engine torque; and Road, which is the default option that takes over as soon as you exceed 25mph.
The Continental mud and snow tyres are designed for year-round use and will do a better job of getting you out of a sticky situation than regular rubber.
There will be many “journeys” told in the TV X Factor before Christmas. But this XMOD does have talent on the really important family journeys this winter.