THE latest Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic are beautifully sleek and svelte on the outside, and immensely practical on the inside.

Of course, all people carriers major on practicality and space but this was the first on the market.

Like most of the others, they are very easy and car-like to drive and the almost vertical rear helps tremendously with parking.

Both models are easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, with most having parking sensors and all having a tight turning circle.

The standard Scenic has five seats and a large boot, while the Grand Scenic has a longer body to give seven seats - but with all of them in use, luggage space is limited.

This latest model was introduced in 2016 has a very wide range of smooth and quiet petrol and diesel engines.

I'll concentrate on the five seat Scenic for all the figures, because the engines are also used in the Grand Scenic, but will obviously give slightly lower economy.

Petrol offerings are a 1.2 turbo with 115bhp and a 1.3 with 140. The smaller unit covers the 0 to 60 miles an hour sprint in 11.9 seconds and is capable of 48 miles per gallon while the 130 sprints to 60 in 9.3 seconds and gives 41mpg.

The 1.2 litre is refined and quiet and despite its diminutive size, is more than man enough for the weight and size.

Diesels start with the well-known 1.5 that comes with 110bhp or a later version with 115. The 110 gets to 60 in 12 seconds while returning an excellent 70 miles per gallon, and the 115 brings the sprint down to 11.6 seconds and is still capable of 70 mpg.

Then comes a 1.6-litre T-D with either 130 or 160bhp. The 130 will reach 60 in 11 seconds and cover 62 miles to the gallon, while the 160 brings the sprint down to 10.4 and still does 62mpg.

Latest diesel offering in top models is a 1.75litre with 120bhp that gets to 60 in 10,7 and can do 57mpg.

Finally, there is also a diesel/electric hybrid that uses the 1.5-litre diesel with a battery pack and electric motor. The battery is not a plug-in, but charges when decelerating or from the diesel when cruising, and the electric motor assists the diesel for more power when needed.

Normal transmission is a six speed manual, but a very good twin clutch automatic is also available on some models and standard on others.

The used market seems to prefer the bigger space of the Grand Scenic but the five seater still has much to recommend it including easy access, loads of space and extra practicality over a conventional hatchback.

Petrol models are cheaper because the diesels are more sought after, but weigh up whether it is worth you spending the difference if you're not going to cover many miles.

Many diesels will have covered longer mileage for the same year.

Scenics hold the road well and handle with great safety despite quite soft suspension. There's huge space both for legs and luggage in the five seater, but things are cramped in the rear two seats of the Grand model.

The high seating position gives a great view for adults and children, keeping little ones much happier over longer trips than in some other cars, and comfort is excellent over most surfaces.

Equipment in mid-range Dynamique Nav models includes an alarm, sat nav, steering wheel remote controls, traction control, climate, parking sensors, cruise, and excellent seat and column adjustment.

Pay about £8,990 for a '16 66-reg 1.5DCi Dynamique Nav, or £12,500 for a '17 67-reg TCE130 in the same trim.