RENAULT Grand Scenic 2009-2013 Photos, engines & full specs

Renault lengthened the wheelbase of a Scenic, thus creating the Grand Scenic, a successful minivan that could accommodate seven and still offer decent fuel efficiency.

Strangely though, the French automaker considered launching the longer version a couple of months before the standard-wheelbase model, giving it a head-start. Thus, many customers had time to appreciate the benefits of a larger cabin, even though that came with the disadvantage of a longer vehicle that was difficult to park in crowded cities.

The car's design resembled the one of a high-speed train, with a sloped front side and a wide, raked windshield. With the headlights' shape inspired by those installed on the Megane Coupe, the carmaker tried to convince customers that this is a sportier minivan. Moreover, it even angled down the roof line to make the vehicle look more dynamic. At the back, Renault placed the taillights very high on the D-pillars, protecting them from small bumps in the parking lot.

While other European carmakers struggled to get a grip on the MPV market, Renault was dominating it. One of its advantages was the interior, which was tailored for comfort and an airy feeling. The dashboard was covered by soft material, and the instrument cluster took center stage. Thus, even those seated in the rear could read the vehicle's speed on the digital speedometer. Renault installed three rows of seats in the car on a 2-3-2 layout. The rearmost row could've been completely removed and traded for more storage space.

Under the hood, Renault installed a wide choice of engines, gasoline or diesel, most of them being turbocharged. Most of them were fitted with a six-speed manual, while a few versions were available with a six-speed automatic or a CVT.