Renault’s newest family-sized MPV ups the entertainment value with Bose and will only cost you S$123,999 with COE

Photos: Loo Hanwei & Kester Kiew
SINGAPORE
Practical, spacious and functional. In the world of Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs), these three adjectives take precedence. Renault has added a fourth word with its latest release: Bose.

Huh, what? We can hear you say. Like it was with the Kadjar SUV, the Bose edition is the best-equipped variant of all the Renault Grand Scenic models.

‘Pure Vision’ full LED automatic headlights, Hands-free Auto-Park Assist, massage front seats and of course, a Bose premium sound system are onboard, and it’ll cost you S$10,000 more than the standard Grand Scenic, which is priced at S$113,999 with COE.

The Bose premium sound system consists of 11-speakers and a subwoofer, complete with Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity via the Renault R-Link infotainment system.

The American audio company’s brand is imprinted on a chrome plate on the rear right of the vehicle, but the Bose-ness of it all lies, of course, in the sound quality – The interior becomes a personal entertainment chamber with the sound system on, and volume can be adjusted via Renault’s signature control stalk.

 
Modernity takes form in the car’s sleek dual-tone livery, and anodised aluminium longitudinal roof rails support the rugged feel an MPV should portray. The LED headlights are framed by the C-shaped signature LED daytime-running lights seen in the Renault Kadjar.
At S$123,999 with COE, the Grand Scenic is a big car priced at a tempting sum. It has a larger wheelbase (2,804mm), length (1,866mm) and height (1,648mm) than the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, a vehicle priced S$20,000 more.

A big car has to come with big wheels, and the Grand Scenic Bose doesn’t disappoint on that front. 20-inch wheels (“Quartz” trim for the Bose edition, “Silverstone” trim for the standard Grand Scenic) are a bit of a shock on a MPV, but happily these wheels deliver a decent ride that’s not bone-jarring, even for an MPV.
The Grand Scenic Bose’s category and price competitors like the Volkswagen Touran (S$129,900) and Toyota Prius + hybrid ($125,988) are narrower, shorter and more expensive.
But the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer is another interesting option to look into, coming in at around the same size (2,840mm wheelbase, 4,602 mm length, 1,926 mm width, 1,644 mm height) for just S$116,000, plus a smaller engine capacity (1.2 litres).
READ MORE: Seven seats too many? The five-seat Renault Scenic might do it for you

Another point to note would be the vehicle’s claimed fuel consumption rate of 4.0L/100km – not only is it a number that gives the Grand Scenic Bose a stunning (and supposed) 1,325 km of range per 53-litre full tank of diesel, it’s also a number that puts it head and shoulders above the other mentioned vehicles in the same class.
Towards Renault’s goal of offering “punchy performance and economy of use” to drivers, the Grand Scenic Bose keeps consumption low while offering generous torque of 260 Nm with a maximum output of 110hp. Diesel of course, is not as clean an option as we’ve been led to believe, but the Scenic manages to avoid a VES penalty, somehow even getting an A2 $10k rebate in the process.

When it comes to acceleration, the Renault Grand Scenic Bose will hardly make your heart race (even at full-throttle), but that’s a good thing for a family-sized-and-oriented MPV with a top speed of only 184 km/h.
The vehicle progresses at a comfortable and easy pace and the impressive 260 Nm of torque makes driving easier – From climbing up inclines to overtaking on the expressways.

The Grand Scenic is supported by a host of safety features, with the more notable ones being ultrasonic front and rear sensors for 360° protection, front passenger airbag deactivation control for baby seats, and the Renault Anti-Intrusion Device (RAID) that automatically locks the door when the car is in motion. The standard offerings of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Hill Start Assist are also available.
The interior is packed with technology. As mentioned above, there’s hands-free auto-parking, a heads-up display, massage chairs (offering three modes; only for the two front seats) and a full-glazed panoramic glass moonroof.

That’s in addition to the Renault Multi-Sense drive mode system you’ll only get in the Bose variant of the Grand Scenic. The Multi-Sense system (also found in the Megane sedan) offers five different driving modes – Comfort, Eco, Sport, Neutral and Persona, with the Persona option offering you individualised settings for better driving pleasure.

There’s five complementary colours to choose from to go with the different driving modes, all customisable on an 8.7-inch touch screen.


The gear selector is next to the touch screen, placed in a more forward position (closer to the dashboard) like most MPVs. However, the buttery-smooth operation of the gear stick can often cause it to over-extend, causing some confusion for an inattentive car reviewer who once or twice found himself trying to drive forward in neutral.

At least when the issue of space is brought into this conversation, the Grand Scenic Bose can certainly hold its own.

A 13-litre storage compartment opens up after moving the sliding centre armrest back and four storage boxes can be found under the floor of the four frontmost seats. Meanwhile, a total of four USB ports and three 12-volt sockets cater to a wide variety of charging needs within the mobile ‘household’, with additional fold-out desks to boot.

The boot extends to a capacity of 596-litres with the third-row seats folded, a number improved from an initial 233-litres with all seats in play.

These foldable seats are electronically-controlled (in two places: the front touch screen and a control panel in the boot) and will shut with a thump that’ll shake the car, but load sensors on all the seats will prevent any potential mishaps.
READ MORE: A worthy (and more environmentally-friendly) Competitor? Check out the Toyota Prius +
By adding Bose to practicality, spaciousness and functionality, the Renault Grand Scenic Bose has build a solid case for itself by delivering extra pleasure to the ears, though most buyers will appreciate its lack of sting to the wallet most of all. Take another S$10,000 off and spend it on the standard version if you like, but we’d gladly spring that extra cash on some quality sound.
 
Renault Grand Scenic Bose