The original MPV, the Renault Scenic ignited a fierce competitive battle for this corner of the market when it rolled onto the tarmac for the first time – a battle which is just as intense today as it was then. It should get three cheers and a bottle of champagne for remaining one of the best examples of its type available even today.

This car floats serenely over uneven roads and the diesel models calmly manage motorway speeds without so much as breaking into a sweat. The five-seater is lavishly spacious but whilst the seven-seater adds a degree of versatility, third row seats are cramped and suitable chiefly for children. Boot space is acceptable rather than fabulous, but the general sense of space in the car is undeniable.

Today’s Scenics are vastly better in quality than their original ancestors. Interior plastics are soft to the touch and convey a strong sense of high-tech, stylish opulence. When it comes to the driving experience, its height and weight inevitably generate a slight tendency to ‘feel the roll’ when cornering, but the chassis is sturdy and firm and the road grip excellent.

You won’t get many votes for having the coolest car on the block, but you’ll get admiring looks from young and old all the same.

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