Spotted: a Renault Scenic RX4

Certainly among car enthusiasts one sometimes hears the complaint that they are “crossover tired”. This often refers to SUV-like models. But actually a crossover is not a specific type of car, but rather a name for a cross between two traditional body shapes or types of cars. In 2000, Renault came out with something you can really call a crossover, and it is also one of the most unusual kind: a cross between an off-road vehicle and an… MPV!

Emerging market segments

The first generation Renault Scenic was one of the first models to truly popularize the compact MPV segment. After its facelift in 1999, Renault decided to explore even more market segments based on this success story. Off-road vehicles and SUVs slowly began to become popular in Europe as well. Wouldn’t it be an idea to combine both relatively new market segments into one car, they must have thought at Renault.

Renault Scénic RX4 is full-fledged off-road vehicle

Renault went far beyond providing the Penic with some tougher bumpers. It became a full-fledged off-road version, with a powertrain developed by Austrian Steyr Daimler Puch, a true specialist in all-wheel drive. In addition to all-wheel drive, the Scénic RX4 featured a strengthened suspension, increased ride height, ground protection and body protection. The RX4 was available only with the most powerful gasoline and diesel engines of the regular Scénic and only with manual transmission.

The new suspension took the place of the spare tire, so that moved to the tailgate. The regular tailgate of the standard Scénic was replaced by a model-specific one, with the rear window hinged upward and the rest of the lid sideways. To save weight, the tailgate was plastic.

Renault Scénic RX4 successful?

The Renault Scénic RX4 got off to a good start. In France, it was even the best-selling four-wheel-drive car in 2001. Sales declined rapidly after that, though. Eventually, a total of about 40,000 were sold, which is still a tidy score for such a niche model. Production ran until 2003, when a new model generation of the Penic hit the market. A successor to the RX4 version failed to materialize.

The spotted specimen

In the center of Hoorn, we saw this 2003 Renault Scénic RX4. For those who visit there regularly, this Renault is pretty much a fixture in the city center. As far as yours truly knows, this is one of two RX4s in town. That’s still quite a lot, because these days the RX4 is a pretty rare model. Of all the 40,000 examples, only 1,500 are said to remain worldwide. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find out how many of them are registered in the Netherlands, because the RX4 is not registered by the RDW as a separate model.

Bonus spot: Renault Scenic Conquest

This week we even have two spots, because a few neighborhoods away we came across its successor of sorts. In 2007, the then current Renault Scénic also received an off-road treatment. This time it was an off-road treatment in the more common sense. The car received “tougher” bumpers and a slightly higher ride height, but technically it remained a standard, front-wheel-drive Scénic. This model was called Scénic Conquest. The one we spotted is from 2008. We also don’t know how many of the Conquest are registered in the Netherlands, because the RDW does not consider this model a separate variant either.