The production model kept the independent seats of the concept car, but didn't offer sliding doors.

Renault decided to add an acute accent to the production model name (Mégane Scénic), in order to assert its European identity, in a context of growing competition of newer car manufacturers coming from Japan.

[8] Renault underestimated the market demand that the Scénic would have — predicting that it would be a niche model with only 450 produced a day.

Along with the Mégane hatchback, the Scénic underwent a major frontal restyle in September 1999, and the newer 16 valve engines were introduced.

From the time of this restyle, it became officially known as the Renault Scénic, although a small "Mégane" badge still appeared on the rear door signifying the car's origin.

Another small improvement with the Scénic were the rear head restraints, which were fixed over the back of the seat rather than being upright.

From 2006, an appearance package which added black plastic bumpers and fog lamps called the Scénic Sportway was produced.

Featuring a viscous, multi disc central differential designed by Austrian specialists Steyr Daimler Puch, it offered part time four wheel drive.

The RX4 was also offered with twin electric sunroofs, a luxury pack (including leather seats, climate control, and a CD player), a spare wheel cover, and roof racks as optional extras.

Production of the RX4 ceased in December 2003, with no direct successor, most likely a result of the unreliability of the Steyr Daimler Puch 4wd system.

There was also a seven-seater Compact MPV Grand Scénic, with a longer wheelbase and rear overhang, which has two small child sized seats in the enlarged luggage area.

As with the Mégane, the new car employs corporate styling cues and new technology, including the "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser and an automatic parking brake on certain trim levels.

The car received a different dashboard design to that of the Mégane, and featured a fully digital electroluminescence instrument display.

Although powered by two wheel drive, the Conquest has a body kit, raised ride height and features accessories usually reserved for SUVs.

The car, based on the R-Space concept, is slightly larger than its predecessor, and adds some crossover design elements[27] but, according to Renault, it is still an MPV.

The MKIV Scénic received a five star rating in Euro NCAP,[30] with a range of standard active and passive safety features, including 'Active Emergency Braking System' with 'Pedestrian Detection' making the Renault Scénic the only compact MPV with this feature as standard.

[33]Sales of the Scénic in the United Kingdom began in May 1997, and for the first two years, the Scénic was the only compact MPV sold by a mainstream manufacturer in the United Kingdom, however the Vauxhall Zafira, Citroën Xsara Picasso, Fiat Multipla and the Nissan Almera Tino were launched in less than five years.

In October 2014, Top Gear Magazine placed the Scénic XMOD on its list of The Worst Cars You Can Buy Right Now.

As of 2024, Renault Australia sell exclusively SUV’s and Van’s, these models being the Koleos, Captur, Arkana, Megane E-tech, Kangoo, Trafic, and Master.

The first, in October 2009, was because of the dashboard could stop functioning, leaving drivers without the ability to gauge their speed, fuel tank, direction indicators or anything as all instruments were totally electronic.

[36] At first drivers had to replace this part at their own expense, but eventually, because of media pressure, Renault UK and Ireland said that they would reimburse customers up to a set limit.

No reimburse was implemented by Renault in Finland where several independent workshops launched an affordable priced fixing of blanked Scénic panels.

[citation needed] The Cleanova III, presented in the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, is based on a Scénic platform.