Renault Espace (03-12) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
The Espace is one of the most spacious people carriers around and makes an ideal car for larger families. The looks disguise its size well - it's more than 4.5 metres long - while inside it's roomy and versatile. It does most of the things you'd expect a people carrier to do, like have seats that fold and remove, lots of clever storage bins and the ability to carry seven people. But newer alternatives are even better and the fact that the rear seats in the Espace don't fold flat into the floor means overall practicality is somewhat limited. Changes for 2006 included a potent new 2.0-litre diesel plus interior upgrades.
4 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£18,970 - £34,200

Used price range:

£1,505 - £13,566

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Stylish appearance, incredibly spacious cabin, can carry seven, easy to drive

Thirsty petrol engines, seats don't fold flat

The Espace is one of the most spacious people carriers around and makes an ideal car for larger families. The looks disguise its size well - it's more than 4.5 metres long - while inside it's roomy and versatile. It does most of the things you'd expect a people carrier to do, like have seats that fold and remove, lots of clever storage bins and the ability to carry seven people. But newer alternatives are even better and the fact that the rear seats in the Espace don't fold flat into the floor means overall practicality is somewhat limited. Changes for 2006 included a potent new 2.0-litre diesel plus interior upgrades.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    4 out of 5

    "The bulk of Espace models are chosen with a four-cylinder diesel engine. Choices when this..."

  • Handling

    3.5 out of 5

    "Although the Espace excels on the motorway, it is not as unwieldy on twisty roads as you might..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    4.5 out of 5

    "All Espace models come with air conditioning and electric windows. The high seating position makes..."

  • Practicality

    4 out of 5

    "All models are seven-seaters (with the exception of the Initiale, which has six large chairs)."

  • Equipment

    3.5 out of 5

    "The Espace is well equipped with an automatic parking brake, automatic headlamps, ESP, traction..."

  • Behind the wheel

    3.5 out of 5

    "The Espace has always had a futuristic flavour and the interior of the fourth-generation model is no..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    3 out of 5

    "The Espace offers reasonable running costs and Renault servicing is competitive. However, emissions..."

  • Green credentials

    2.5 out of 5

    "The Espace performs fairly badly on the eco front. With an average of 213g/km CO2 across the range,..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    4 out of 5

    "The Espace has an impressive five star rating for crash safety from Euro NCAP. There's all the usual..."

  • Reliability

    3.5 out of 5

    "The Espace is now built by Renault (sounds bizarre, but previously it was manufactured by another..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    3 out of 5

    "It can be difficult to get much of a discount on a diesel version, but it should be easier on petrol..."

  • Buying used

    4 out of 5

    "The Espace can look expensive when compared to other people carriers, but it is well equipped and..."

  • Selling

    4 out of 5

    "Demand for the 3.5 V6 is limited as it's very thirsty. Unsurprisingly it's the diesels which command..."

Gallery

  • Interior Renault Espace (03-12)
  • Exterior Renault Espace (03-12)
  • Exterior Renault Espace (03-12)
  • Exterior Renault Espace (03-12)

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Owners' reviews