Renault Grande Espace Estate 2003 - Present

The Renault Espace is the old dame of European MPVs and as one of the first to market it has set the standard for a long time.  The Grande Espace is, as the name would imply, a bigger version of this very successful car.  It offers more room through it’s longer wheel base, but shares many features, the inside features a similar set up sharing trim levels and some furniture.  It can also carry seven people and if full of clever storage bins. 

Approaching the Grande Espace one can’t help but be taken aback by it’s sheer size.  The Espace is an extremely long and cumbersome looking vehicle.  While piloting the big Renault you’re often surprised at how nimble the big motor is.  The smaller version is great on the motorway and the Grande is no exception but it’s almost as good on smaller roads too.  It’s no city slicker but it’s surprisingly nimble, certainly when you compare it to the school minibus, something of similar size from your youth.  Air con and electric windows come as standard and the seats are individually sculpted and score well for comfort and can slide to vary the amount of leg room offered.  This combines to make the Grande Espace a very nice place to be.  The seats unfortunately, don’t fold flat, but they can be removed relatively easily, if you’re strong enough as they are heavy.  There are plenty of storage spaces dotted around the cabin and the extra space is used well to make the cabin easy to get around even if there are a handful of people in it.

The engine line up is very similar to the standard Espace, just sensibly dispatching the entry level mode.  The entry petrol engine is the 165bhp 2.0T, while the smallest diesel is the 150bhp 2.2 dCi.  Six-speed manual gearboxes is preferred on all four cylinder units while Automatic transmission is also offered on the 2.2 dCi, whith both petrol and diesel V6 models are auto-only. Petrol engines comprise normally aspirated or turbo-charged 2.0-litre units, as well as a 245bhp 3.5-litre V6 - a detuned version of the engine used in the Nissan 350Z. Changes for 2006 include a new 2.0-litre dCi available in 150bhp and 175bhp versions. The higher power version feels almost as quick as the V6 diesel.

The Renault Grande Espace takes the people carrier and raises the size without compromising on the drive or the ride.  There are good engine options available if your budget will stretch.  There are also enough on the used market to be able to pick up bargains here and there.

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