The Espace’s loyal following is not just made up of those with six other people to transport: it’s a favourite among those who buy an MPV by choice rather than necessity. So can the fourth generation Espace move the game on without alienating its core supporters?
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto Design
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (1)
The outgoing model’s spaceframe and all-composite body has been replaced by a conventional steel monocoque platform shared with the Laguna and Vel Satis, and a combination of plastic wings and rear hatch, aluminium doors and bonnet and a steel roof. Kerb weight is up by 110kgs.
Espace buyers now have a choice of three diesel engines: a 1.9 or 2.2 four cylinder or the 3.0-litre dCi common-rail V6 in our Privilege trim test car, a unit shared with the Vel Satis. Maximum power is 180bhp at 4400rpm and 258lb ft of torque is available at 1800rpm.
There are MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam and trailing arms look after the 25 per cent stiffer rear end.
Espace buyers now have a choice of three diesel engines: a 1.9 or 2.2 four cylinder or the 3.0-litre dCi common-rail V6 in our Privilege trim test car, a unit shared with the Vel Satis. Maximum power is 180bhp at 4400rpm and 258lb ft of torque is available at 1800rpm.
There are MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam and trailing arms look after the 25 per cent stiffer rear end.
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto On The Road
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (2)
We achieved 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds and a 30-70mph time of 10.1 seconds, both of which soundly beat any other diesel MPV.
The large – 328mm at the front – disc brakes with brake assist stopped the car in the damp from 70mph in an excellent 58 metres.
Such brisk performance is helped by an even power delivery and an eagerness to hit the 5000rpm redline in every gear when pushed. It isn’t particularly quiet at idle or under hard acceleration, but sit at 70mph and the engine is near-silent.
The Espace handles with an assurance lacking in the previous car. Body roll, especially from the rear, and the fore and aft pitching which characterised it have been reduced significantly.
Unfortunately, while the ride is cosseting over undulating surfaces, ragged, urban surfaces easily transmit shockwaves through the cabin to the accompaniment of some suspension noise. However, anyone driving the Espace in town will find the light steering a boon.
The large – 328mm at the front – disc brakes with brake assist stopped the car in the damp from 70mph in an excellent 58 metres.
Such brisk performance is helped by an even power delivery and an eagerness to hit the 5000rpm redline in every gear when pushed. It isn’t particularly quiet at idle or under hard acceleration, but sit at 70mph and the engine is near-silent.
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (3)
Unfortunately, while the ride is cosseting over undulating surfaces, ragged, urban surfaces easily transmit shockwaves through the cabin to the accompaniment of some suspension noise. However, anyone driving the Espace in town will find the light steering a boon.
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto Living
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (4)
Despite this engine’s extra capacity, our average of 26.2mpg was only 4mpg off the figure we achieved for the 2.2-litre Citroen C8. Show the Espace a light right foot and you’ll match the exceptional 43.1mpg we managed on our touring route, giving it a possible range of 786 miles from its huge 83 litre tank.
As with the Avantime and Vel Satis, dash function seems secondary to form; the hidden switchgear looks great until you need to operate the radio or satellite navigation and find yourself having to open a flap and retrieve the remote control, or crane your head around the steering wheel.
But the heating controls, intelligently sited on the driver’s door, excellent visibility thanks to the slender pillars, a commanding driving position and a steering column mounted at a car-like angle compensate.
The Espace has gained an extra 57mm of rear headroom and 225mm of length behind the front seats but the fundamental design of the interior is unchanged. All five rear seats incorporate seat belts and are identical, meaning that they can be repositioned on any of the four full-length or four 225mm side tracks which allow the middle row outer chairs fore and aft adjustment.
Rear passengers get individual fan controls, air-con vents and overhead lights. Legroom is fine for six-footers in the middle row but the rears should be left to those considerably shorter.
With the rears in place there’s no boot to speak of; the Renault’s short-wheelbase rivals are broadly similar in each regard. The seats are relatively light and lift out easily, the middle row rolling forward to allow easy access to the rears.
Safety will naturally be a major factor for any MPV buyer. Rising to the challenge laid down by the Citroen C8 and the Peugeot 807, Renault has fitted curtain airbags that protect all three rows of passengers. The four outer passengers in rows two and three also get chest airbags.
As with the Avantime and Vel Satis, dash function seems secondary to form; the hidden switchgear looks great until you need to operate the radio or satellite navigation and find yourself having to open a flap and retrieve the remote control, or crane your head around the steering wheel.
But the heating controls, intelligently sited on the driver’s door, excellent visibility thanks to the slender pillars, a commanding driving position and a steering column mounted at a car-like angle compensate.
The Espace has gained an extra 57mm of rear headroom and 225mm of length behind the front seats but the fundamental design of the interior is unchanged. All five rear seats incorporate seat belts and are identical, meaning that they can be repositioned on any of the four full-length or four 225mm side tracks which allow the middle row outer chairs fore and aft adjustment.
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (5)
With the rears in place there’s no boot to speak of; the Renault’s short-wheelbase rivals are broadly similar in each regard. The seats are relatively light and lift out easily, the middle row rolling forward to allow easy access to the rears.
Safety will naturally be a major factor for any MPV buyer. Rising to the challenge laid down by the Citroen C8 and the Peugeot 807, Renault has fitted curtain airbags that protect all three rows of passengers. The four outer passengers in rows two and three also get chest airbags.
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto Verdict
Renault Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi Privilège Auto (6)
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