Parents know only too well how stressful a family outing can be. It will start with a fight for the rear armrest. Then a complaint about being too hot or too cold. Followed invariably and inevitably by requests for a drink, something to eat, toilets, a game and a better view.

There is one car, however, in which I can drive from London to Rome and never get stressed — the Renault Mégane Scénic.

Something happens to children in a Scénic. Perhaps it’s the higher seating position. Perhaps it’s the colouring tables on the seatbacks. Maybe it’s just because when I drive a Scénic I relax, which means we all play “what I packed in my suitcase”.

Introduced into the UK in 1997, the Mégane Scénic effectively redefined the family car. Although shorter than a Ford Focus, the Renault has five proper individual seats (the rear three removable) and a big boot. The elevated driving position makes it feel like a minibus yet it drives like a car. Best of all you can pick up a used one for £4,000.

The pioneering mini-MPV was launched with 90bhp 1.6 or 115bhp 2 litre petrol engines. Renault also offered a cracking 95bhp 1.9 litre turbodiesel which was as quick as the 2 litre petrol variant. A choice of five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic gearboxes was offered on petrol models, whereas diesels were manual-only.

The bestsellers were the 1.6 petrol and 1.9 diesel but it’s worth searching out a second-hand 2 litre: the extra power is useful when you’re fully loaded, fuel consumption is no worse than the 1.6 and you tend to find more goodies as standard.

Equipment on base RN models is pretty meagre, with power steering and central locking about all you get. The RT is a better bet with electric windows, automatic wipers, ABS and the option of air-conditioning. The top-spec RXE, available only with the 1.9 diesel and 2 litre petrol engines, comes with air-conditioning, twin electric sunroofs and alloy wheels. Second-hand RXEs cost about £500 more than lowlier RTs.

French build quality is not the best but time has proved the Scénic to be pretty durable. Nevertheless, check for minor electrical faults and sticky electric windows. Don’t worry about a rusty body, though, it’s galvanised and comes with a 12-year warranty.

Renault safety is excellent and the Scénic scores very well in the Euro NCAP crash tests, making it an even more attractive way of moving the family. Its compactness, nicely weighted steering and deep front screen combine to make driving a doddle. Get back into a regular family hatchback and it feels low and claustrophobic in comparison.

Even though it was still selling well, the Renault was facelifted in August 1999 and a new 95bhp 1.4 litre engine added to the line-up to counter competition from the more recent Vauxhall Zafira, Citroën Xsara Picasso and Fiat Multipla.

But whether or not your budget can run to a post-1999 model doesn’t matter. Put your kids in either and the effect will be the same — smiley faces and a stress-free journey. What price can you put on that?



VITAL STATISTICS
Model Renault Scénic 2.0 litre
Engine 1998cc, 4 cylinder
Power 115bhp @ 5400rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 31.7mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0 to 60mph: 11.1sec
Top speed 115mph

CHECK OUT
History Scénic is a popular family car and unlike company vehicles servicing can be neglected, so check the books
Windscreen Deep glass gives driver great visibility
Economy Diesel engine will return more than 40mpg
Gearbox Automatic transmission has just four speeds, only buy it if you must. A manual box is better suited to the car
Colours Metallics wear best and solid finishes are worth £250 less
Twin sunroofs Standard on RT and RXE models, with electric operation on RXE
Seatback tables Children can spend the journey colouring and playing games
Versatility Sliding rear seats standard on RXE models
Wheels Alloys standard on RXE and limited edition models
The one to buy Renault Mégane Scénic 2.0 RXE, manual, 1998 S with 50,000 miles. Pay £5,925 at a Renault main dealer or £5,250 privately<!-- Beginfunction Start(page) {OpenWin = this.open(page, "CtrlWindow", "toolbar=yes,menubar=yes,location=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes");}// End -->

VALUES: Renault Mégane Scénic 2.0 RXE
Mileage 30,000
1997 P Trade £4,550. Retail £5,595
1998 S Trade £5,400. Retail £6,550
1999 T Trade £6,000. Retail £7,150
Mileage 50,000
1997 P Trade £4,050. Retail £5,095
1998 S Trade £4,775. Retail £5,925
1999 T Trade £5,300. Retail £6,450
Mileage 60,000
1997 P Trade £3,575. Retail £4,595
1998 S Trade £4,200. Retail £5,350
1999 T Trade £4,850. Retail £5,995

Add £100 for automatic transmission Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; 'retail' is what you would pay a dealer.