Renault Avantime (02-03) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
The Avantime represents a time when Renault was into making bold styling statements. It's a four-seat coupe based on the third-generation Renault Espace. Its tall design with imposing angles and intricate detailing found a few friends in the UK, but numbers never reached the 1500 a year originally predicted by Renault, and the model faced similar problems with demand elsewhere in Europe, with slow sales eventually sealing the fate of the Matra company that built it for Renault. Only petrol models were brought to the UK, and equipment levels are good, but the Avantime is more about making an entrance than the journey itself.
2.5 out of 5

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2.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£24,050 - £28,450

Used price range:

£2,069 - £3,728

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Bold styling, genuinely different, rare sight

No diesel, not as practical as it looks

The Avantime represents a time when Renault was into making bold styling statements. It's a four-seat coupe based on the third-generation Renault Espace. Its tall design with imposing angles and intricate detailing found a few friends in the UK, but numbers never reached the 1500 a year originally predicted by Renault, and the model faced similar problems with demand elsewhere in Europe, with slow sales eventually sealing the fate of the Matra company that built it for Renault. Only petrol models were brought to the UK, and equipment levels are good, but the Avantime is more about making an entrance than the journey itself.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    4 out of 5

    "UK Avantime customers had a choice of two engines, both of which offered decent performance. The..."

  • Handling

    2.5 out of 5

    "Although marketed as a practical grand tourer, the Avantime doesn't really excel at travelling. Show..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    3.5 out of 5

    "The Avantime has similar dimensions to the Espace (a seven-seater), but only needs to accommodate..."

  • Practicality

    4 out of 5

    "Although the Avantime only seats four, the luggage compartment is generous at 510 litres up to..."

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5

    "Dynamique models come with part-leather seats, CD/radio, automatic climate control, xenon..."

  • Behind the wheel

    4 out of 5

    "The Avantime feels like an up-market car. The orange LED display is lifted from the third-generation..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    3 out of 5

    "Used prices are fairly stable, and in time it's possible the Avantime will be viewed as a classic."

  • Green credentials

    0 out of 5

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    4 out of 5

    "The Avantime comes with front and side airbags, as well as curtain airbags, and although there is no..."

  • Reliability

    2.5 out of 5

    "Renault doesn't have a great reputation for reliability, and although this is slowly improving, the..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    0 out of 5

  • Buying used

    3 out of 5

    "Only a few hundred Avantimes were sold in the UK, and there are plenty around that have been well..."

  • Selling

    3 out of 5

    "There will be people around looking for a car that stands out and makes a statement, and the..."

Gallery

  • Interior Renault Avantime (02-03)
  • Exterior Renault Avantime (02-03)
  • Exterior Renault Avantime (02-03)
  • Exterior Renault Avantime (02-03)

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