KEY POINTS:
So you can't see the appeal of midi-people movers such as the Renault Scenic. Fair enough - I wish you well in your carefree single life.
Personally, with two small children and one carsick-prone wife to carry, the airy cabins and inventive packaging of machines such as these get me very excited indeed.
Renault knows a thing or two about compact multi-purpose vehicles.
It invented the segment with the first-generation Scenic back in 1996. The latest version still reeks of practical touches - the front guards are made from plastic, so the Scenic is pretty much impervious to carpark knocks forward of the A-pillar.
There's a separate convex "conversation mirror" in the roof so that you can keep an eye on the kids.
The massive centre console storage box slides the length of the cabin so that you pass stuff between the rows, there are hidden bins in the floor, and the three individual rear chairs tumble and fold separately.
Sunny? Pull up the integrated sunshades on the rear windows and enjoy the glorious weather. And so on.
The driving position is still somewhat bus-like, a Scenic idiosyncrasy stretching back to the very first model, but the seats are superbly comfortable and the view out the large glass areas is commanding.
It's just a shame that this wonderful car isn't a bit more wonderful to drive. The 2.0-litre engine lacks character, the automatic gearbox doesn't seem to have a clue what it's supposed to do and the steering is devoid of feel.
The electronic parking brake, which operates automatically, is particularly annoying - you feel the car fighting against it until the mechanism releases, and when it does there's a sickening graunch that makes you think it might be broken.
The Scenic is not great to drive, then, but still a wonderful way to travel.
