There are quite a few key criteria to tick off when selecting a mini-MPV and Renault think they've got them all covered. Safety is the key issue, customers prioritising crash protection for their families and the Scenic boasts a full five-star Euro-NCAP crash test result. Next up is practicality and Renault score here too, with years of experience producing this sort of vehicle. The final driver is running costs. The 1.4-litre version of the latest entry-level Scenic that we examine here not only wears a distinctly friendly sticker price but scores big in terms of fuel economy, insurance bills and spares costs. No wonder Renault have such high hopes for this model.

Safety first. The EuroNCAP tests are in many ways the Gold Standard of all safety examinations and the Scenic has come out way ahead of the rest, notching 34.12 out of a possible 37 points. To equal the result of the Megane hatch while taking account of differences in its weight and layout, the structure of the Scenic was strengthened in three strategic areas. The front pillars were made larger to ensure the transfer of longitudinal loads into the door beams and the sill sections. An anti-rotation system was also added to the pillar to limit any risk of the front door separating during an impact. Finally, the stiffening of the sill section with additional reinforcement allowed the maximum transfer of load once the wheel contacted the sill. It's this depth of engineering that can make all the difference in the event of a genuine accident and until fairly recently, this sort of development was too costly for manufacturers to perform. Renault have invested over 100 million Euros into improving safety and yet the Scenic 1.4 that sits pristinely uncrumpled before us starts at just £13,945. This includes front, side and curtain airbags and all seats are fitted with five-point seat belts.

The Scenic has been revised in recent times, the biggest alteration being to the styling, Renault giving the car a nip and tuck in order to keep it looking fresh. Xenon-look headlamps, LED rear lights and revised front and rear bumper assemblies give this mini-MPV a sharper, more contemporary look a million miles away from the Teletubby-soft original that took Europe by storm. The interior has been revised too, with better quality trims, and there's also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors.

"It may not be the most exciting mini-MPV but it's the one that covers all the bases."

The interior feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, especially when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it's not quite as slick as Ford's diagonally sliding system. Aside from that minor niggle though, there's very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity has risen by 70-litres to a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently.

The 1.4-litre car's 100bhp engine isn't the most inspiring powerplant we've come across but it does get the job done with a minimum of fuss. Only if you load the Scenic up to the gunwales will it struggle, but under more normal conditions you should be able to average 38mpg. If you can afford another £500 or so, those looking for something a bit peppier can opt for the 1.6-litre models which offer marginally better fuel economy and much better performance figures. The 1.4-litre will get to 60mph in 14.5 seconds and top out at a fairly academic 114mph, which will be plenty quick enough for most target customers.

Ride quality is possibly the best in class with the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the Honda FR-V more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car like.

Three trim levels are offered, starting with the entry-level Authentique at £13,945. Then there's the well equipped Expression which tacks just over £1,000 onto the price and the Dynamique, a car with vaguely sporting pretensions, topping off the range at up to £15,745. Each is well equipped and the Scenic's equipment levels need to be taken into account when pricing the car against rivals from Ford and Volkswagen. Although it may not major on excitement when it comes to offering what mini-MPV buyers really want, the Renault Scenic 1.4-litre range looks to have the bases covered.

TOP 2 SCENIC DEALS

The results below show the top SCENIC deals on buyacar

	Renault Scenic 1.4 Extreme 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £208	Saving £3,732	Price £10,762
	Renault Scenic 1.4 Expression 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £216	Saving £3,873	Price £11,121

typical 11.12% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000