The Renault Scenic is something you probably know very well but this Energy diesel engine is something quite special. It's good for 64 miles to the gallon and delivers punchy acceleration coupled to emissions of less than 120g/km. Family transport doesn't get much greener.

When it comes to MPVs, torque counts. It's a factor that's often overlooked as buyers look to reduce their fuel bills and opt for ever smaller engines, but an engine with low torque is a simple false economy.

By choosing an engine with some muscle, you'll actually be able to lower your consumption in most real-world scenarios. The Scenic Energy dCi 130 answers that particular call, managing a brawny 236lb/ft, more than double that of the 1.6-litre petrol Scenic model.

What is perhaps a little more unexpected is the refinement of this engine. At idle it's extremely quiet, and with your stereo on the go it's genuinely difficult to figure out when the stop/start system has kicked in when negotiating city traffic.

Renault quotes a 10 second sprint to 60mph and a top speed of 121mph so it's doubtful you'll feel the Scenic is in any way underpowered.

The Scenic range comes in two sizes, standard and Grand, both of which are offered with this dCi 130 Energy powerplant.

While the Scenic borrows the distinctive satin chrome air-intakes of the Megane coupe and a more squat, purposeful stance, the Grand Scenic has a larger glass area and a mesh grille covering its single frontal air-intake. The seven-seat model also features distinctive boomerang-shaped rear light clusters. The interior is where the magic happens in any MPV and both Scenic models lay-on lots of space and versatility. The second row of seats can be folded flat or removed, while the Grand Scenic's third row can be dropped into the floor. Boot space is measured at 522 litres in the Scenic and 702 litres in the Grand Scenic with the rearmost seats folded.

There's a massive array of storage options in the Scenic with a total of 92 litres available. There are also three 12-volt power sockets to keep the all important games consoles and MP3 players powered up. It's not the sharpest steer, but if safety, versatility and effortless mile-eating capability are more important than body control through corners, you'll warm to this French family favourite.