Renault was the MPV sales-winner in Europe when it decided to expand its range and, apart from the Espace, it introduced the Scenic range based on the compact-segment Megane.
When it introduced the second generation of the Megane in 2002, the Scenic was already a different range. It evolved in two versions that sported a long or a short wheelbase unveiled in 2003. Three years later, the carmaker improved its lineup and brought the facelifted Scenic II.

Renault didn’t improve the MPV too much. Its designers barely touched the car’s look here and there for a fresh look. At the front, the carmaker installed new lens headlights. Its bumper sported shorter, body-colored rubber strips at the front instead of the long, black one available on the non-facelifted version. Its lower grille looked like a big smile, confirming the family-oriented vehicle on top of the European minivan sales. The black rubber protections against small bumps (mainly shopping carts) were replaced with body-colored ones from its sides. In the rear, Renault placed a new set of taillights with shorter, clear, reversing lights.

Inside, the carmaker made a few improvements for the driver. The steering wheel sported four buttons for the cruise control functions, while the audio controls remained stuck on a satellite stack behind the steering wheel. Like its non-facelifted version, the Grand Scenic offered room for up to seven passengers, with some trunk left behind the last row of seats for a couple of briefcases. If necessary, the second and third-row could have been folded to increase the storage area.

Under the hood, Renault offered a choice of three gasoline and three diesel engines paired as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox.