When it comes to people carriers the designers at Renault have proved they know a thing or two. The firm was one of the original designers of the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in the Espace and later the Scenic stepped into the fray to offer a more compact version which has proved a hit with drivers for more than a decade.

But the challenges of providing a car which offered plenty of room for a family and their luggage have largely been overcome and plenty of other manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon to make this a very crowded market.

So the challenge for Renault is keeping its competitive edge and offering the driver more in terms of value for money, flexibility and choice of equipment.

The Dynamique TomTom version is the top of the range featuring an almost bewildering range of bits and pieces that would be optional extras on many other vehicles in this class.

The steering wheel features a pod arrangement sprouting controls for the radio and telephone functions and a couple of ther things I couldn’t quite work out while the more conventional stalks feature adjustments for the onboard computer displayed on the dashboard.

The wheel itself featured buttons for cruise control and the lights and wipers worked automatically.

The system the car takes its name from — the TomTom navigation — sits within the centrally placed dashboard alongside the futuristic digital display flicking up the numerical speed and tachometer displays.

Unlike any other system I have come across, it works via a remote control placed in a dock between the seats. Frankly, this is a bit of a gimmick and takes some time to get used to.

And undoubtedly there will come a time, as with every other remote control, when it is lost which will probably prove expensive.

Nevertheless, the TomTom worked well and helps you take alternative routes and avoid traffic jams which is a bonus.

The car itself is, as you would expect, a capable all-rounder.

The test model was fitted with the 110bhp 1.6 litre petrol engine which ticks along quite nicely when it has nothing too strenuous to do.

But on a trip to Dorset it found the hills a challenge, particularly with the family on board and I was having to change gear rapidly to make decent progress.

The 130bhp diesel version sounds a better bet in this respect offering quicker acceleration and far superior fuel economy as I found the 38mpg average on the combined cycle a little disappointing.

However, the Scenic ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort and practicality.

The seats are typically French — soft cushions with plenty of support and there is a wealth of leg room for five people thanks to the low, flat floor.

This feature also lends itself to a very deep, large boot which will easily accommodate several suitcases or plenty of child paraphernalia that inevitably accompanies a weekend away.

When that runs out, the seats flip and move easily and can even be removed to create large areas of luggage space.

The Dynamique also features sun blinds which I am sure would be useful some time later in the year while air conditioning is also standard to keep the interior cool. But one thing I would have appreciated is reversing sensors.

Outside the car has also undergone a significant facelift with a modern look far supperior to the old model with its ungainly rear end.

All in all, the Scenic has managed to at least keep up with the competition and is a highly capable mode of transport delivering exactly what you would expect from a car in this class.

But where the multi-purpose vehicle goes from here is difficult to say.