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

Safety

The Espace has an impressive five star rating for crash safety from Euro NCAP. There's all the usual safety features, plus curtain airbags on all three rows of seats. Security consists of shielded deadlocks, electrically-assisted de-clutching steering lock, card-entry system and marked parts.

NCAP Test

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  • Adult Occupant Rating

    5 out of 5
  • Pedestrian Test Rating

    2 out of 5
3.5 out of 5

Reliability

The Espace is now built by Renault (sounds bizarre, but previously it was manufactured by another French firm on behalf of Renault). If feels sturdier and better built than before, but recent Renaults have had only average reliability.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

A recall in 2004 for possible smoke emissions from the dashboard vents. There was a further recall for the same issue in 2005.

Other

A recall in 2003 for a potentially faulty handbrake.