Renault Grand Scenic

Overall rating: Five stars
Adult occupation score: 91%
Child protection score: 76%
Pedestrian protection: 42%
Safety assist: 99%

Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated generally good protection, with adequate protection for the chest of both front-seat occupants.

The knees, femurs and pelvis were well protected in the test and Renault showed that a similar level of protection would be available to occupants of different sizes and to those seated in different positions.

Maximum points were scored in the side barrier test and the chest was adequately protected in the more severe side pole impact.

Protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact was rated as marginal.

Child occupant
In the dynamic tests, dummy readings of load and acceleration were not excessive. The head of the dummy representing a three-year-old did not move forward too far in the frontal impact and both dummies were properly contained by their restraints in the side impact.

The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear.

Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points for providing good protection to pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet did not perform so well and was rated as predominantly marginal. The bonnet offered poor protection in most areas likely to be struck by the head of a child or an adult.

Safety assist
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard equipment in most European countries, but is optional in some. Sales of the Grand Scenic with ESC as standard are expected to exceed Euro NCAP's fitment requirements for 2009.

The same is true of the speed-limitation device, a driver-set system which actively prevents excess speed. The car is also equipped with a seatbelt reminder system for front and rear seats.