Xmod gets to grip
I'm a sucker for big, chunky cars and immediately fell for the looks
of the New Renault Scenic Xmod, a new crossover model from the
French carmaker based on the Scenic MPV.
It keeps the key features which have made Scenic so popular
with MPV buyers — five same-size seats, 55 litres of big boot
space with the rear seats slid forward, extendable to 1,870 litres. If
you search, you'll find 71 litres of additional stowage space around
the cabin.
The review car's wine colour showed off its lines to perfection. A
steeply raked windscreen and smallish A-pillars. Silver roof rails as well
as chrome strips along the base. Robust side protection mouldings, front
and rear skid plates, special alloy wheels and privacy glass all play their
visual part, as do the big mud and snow tyres.
Inside, I was very taken by the high quality of the materials. Depending
on the version, the Xmod includes a BOSE sound system with eight
speakers, giving great sound close to that of a live performance —
though not necessarily the driver's. There's a TomTom satellite navigation
system. Features included dual zone climate control, cruise control with
speed limiter, remote audio controls, Bluetooth and MP3 compatibility.
Other details include a flat-bottomed steering wheel, white stitched,
part-leather upholstery, and a driver's seat height adjustment. Seats
are independent, folding and removable to allow many different seating
options. The leather look is repeated on the doors trim. There are pull up
plastic tables on the backs of the front seats.
The main instruments are in the large screen with the satellite navigation
high up in the centre of the dash, positioned just below eye level. Current
speed is also displayed in big white numbers on the trip computer. Some
Eco tree leaves appear in front of the car icon on the screen when you
are driving at the best fuel economy.
A double 'beep beep' noise we traced to speed
camera alerts on the sat nav system. It was quite
annoying coming in so very often around city
suburbs, and at varying speeds even at a 15km/h
crawl. Once we discovered its origin, I switched it
off and paid extra attention to my speed instead.
There's a good sized glovebox, and generous door
bins front and back. Good head and leg room in the
rear are other welcome pluses. The tailgate opens
up high, and — essential for a family
car — there's a spare wheel below the
cargo floor.
The two editions offered here in
Ireland are Dynamique and BOSE.
Buyers can choose from three
engines — a pair of diesels with start/
stop outputting 110hp and 130hp, and
a 115hp petrol. My review car was the
110hp 1.5 diesel with a slick 6-speed
manual gearbox. The diesel engine
is quiet and does its work efficiently.
The official consumption rating is
4.1 L/100kms but the trip computer
showed 6.4 L/100kms. It's in Band
A3 at €190 for annual road tax. The
new turbocharged TCe 115 petrol is
somewhat thirstier, C02 emissions of
140g/km push it up to Band B2 and
€280.
Xmod is the first Renault vehicle to
feature the Extended Grip system, for
difficult driving conditions like mud,
sand and fresh snow. A rotary control
on the central console manages things
in 'Expert', 'Road' or 'Loose Ground'.
I can recommend Xmod to anyone
looking for a crossover with that little
bit extra. I certainly enjoyed my time
with it. A 5-year unlimited mileage
warranty is standard. Finance from
€299 per month is available from
Renault Finance. Prices from €26,090€31,190.
Trish Whelan.
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