Renault Grand Scenic 1.6 16v

We have had our car since May 2004. With full leather seats, double sun roof and climate control it is a very comfortable car. Visibility is excellent and the diesel engine frequently gets high 30s fuel consumption on long runs (35 - 38) and one morning recently 42 mpg down to the coast from London in the rush hour.

Fantastic torque in the 1.9 diesel, it will accelerate / climb hills really well - power coming in at low revs compared to petrol engines. I noticed the contrast with a Ford Focuse we hired that needed to be kept at high revs to make similar progress. The alarm problem manifested itself early on (fixed with adjustments to bonnet catch) but it happened again recently and so we asked dealer to disconnect alarm sounder. It still flashes occasionally, but at least we and the neighbours sleep. The climate control failed twice in early Summer, but Renault City fixed it quickly second time around - a small part was required - all within warranty.

Someone crashed into us one day too this Summer, their older Renault was wrecked, but ours suffered only very minor cosmetic damage to front which was covered by other driver's insurance. Testament to vehicle's safety.

At present, boot lid does not always indicate it has shut properly so we need to purposefully shut it.

We have got through one set of front tyres at around 14,000 miles of hard driving. Back tyres okay. Also one set of brake discs at front too. Also had to replace part of exhaust and heat shield after some damage on holidays on rough roads in Spain.

Auto features like lights, card key, auto wipers, auto closing windows make driving other vehicles a real hassle as you have to remember to do all these things. Electric handbrake is also a great idea once you get used to it. Again, renders other vehicles so old fashioned.

We really like this car - design is fresh compared to VW Touran or Ford C-Max.

What would we like to see added?

IPod input as standard to Stereo. More effective glove box cooling - it is only a small hole really that blows in cool air. It would also be good to have ESP as a standard feature .

Rear two sears are really for kids, but for short journeys even adults can squeeze in if necessary. It would be nice if luggage cover could be stowed somewhere when rear two seats are used.

Luggage capacity is excellent with or without two rear seats deployed. With seats up, you get two nice holes in floor to put stuff in that stops it rolling around.

My dad has a new citroen Picasso exclusive of which I am driving around for him at the moment so watch out for my review on the picasso.