Renault Scoops Two Awards In Auto Express New Car Honours 2004
Published: 30th July 2004
Renault Scenic
Renault's flagship vehicle Espace, which also celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has won the MPV category in the Auto Express New Car Honours 2004 and Scenic has won the Compact MPV award.
The Espace has achieved high praise from the editor of Auto Express, David Johns: "No-one knows more about building MPV's than Renault. After all, the French maker has been producing the Espace for 20 years now. So it shouldn't come as a shock to discover that this latest car has been honed close to perfection, giving it victory in the 2004 MPV category.
"But where Renault really pulls ahead of rivals is in the amount of class it manages to inject into the chore of people carrying. Not only is it the most stylish car in class, but the cutting-edge interior works brilliantly, with plenty of storage across the dash. Renault hasn't rested on its historic laurels with the Espace. All credit to the firm that, even after all this time, it still builds the finest MPV money can buy."
Espace has proven popular with Auto Express this year, having also scooped the Auto Express Used Car Honours MPV award 2004 winning the top prize in the very first year it became eligible to enter.
Amongst the many other awards the Espace has achieved in its impressive list of prizes are ‘Class Winner’ in the MPV category of the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2004 awards and ‘Large MPV’ category in the British Insurance Car Security Awards 2004. The recent accolade from the British Insurance Car Security Awards means not only is Espace the safest car ever, achieving the maximum five star rating and highest score ever recorded in independent crash tests by Euro NCAP, but its also the most secure in its class too.
Customers also seem to agree with the media as Espace sales in the first half of this year are up 98.4 % compared to 2003.
New Renault Scenic helped Renault achieve a double whammy in the Auto Express New Car Honours 2004 by winning the Compact MPV category beating off stiff competition from the Ford Focus C-Max, Volkswagen Touran and Fiat Idea, among others. The recently launched seven-seat version, Grand Scenic, also contributed to the impressive win.
Auto Express Editor, David Johns commented: "The Renault Scenic set new standards for versatility in a compact frame - and it's continuing to lead the way seven years later with this new model. This MPV is by far the most family-friendly in the class and has one of the airiest cabins around, and the dash area is an ergonomic delight with all controls close to hand.
"The comprehensive range of engines ensures the car is a relaxed companion, no matter how much noise the children make. Our pick of the bunch is the 1.9 dCi unit - there are few more refined diesels around. Add in Renault's impressive safety (vital for parents' peace of mind), and the Scenic is the top choice for modern families."
High praise indeed for Renault, who is credited by many for introducing the world to the compact-MPV with the launch of the Scenic in 1996. The Scenic has also scooped Best MPV at the 2004 Fleet World Honours earlier this year to add to its impressive list.
Renault's new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, fresh from being the sixth Renault to achieve five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, was also 'Commended' in the Convertible category of the Auto Express New Car Honours 2004.
Renault Scenic
Our Renault Scenic Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Scenic range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £13,945 - £20,535
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 21
We have road tested the Renault Scenic, to read our in-depth car review:
Renault Scenic Review - Oct 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 6th July 2008
