Test Renault Espace – From trendsetter to trend follower

I thought the test was about a Renault Espace, but that picture looks like an Austral?

That’s right, but it’s really the new Renault Espace. The progenitor of the MPV is actually an SUV in its latest guise. One that shares its platform and powertrain with the Austral and also has strong external similarities. The big difference is of course at the back, where the Espace has considerably more content and – unlike the Austral – allows a third row of seats.

The third row of seats is an option, what will it cost?

Nothing at all, so at least it’s not too expensive. Actually, the third row of seats is standard on the Espace and you can leave it out if desired. In that case you will of course get a little more luggage space. Depending on how you set the standard sliding rear seat of the Espace, you get 581-777 liters and with the second row of seats flat it becomes 1,818 liters. The seven-seater offers 477-677 liters with the rear seats upright and 1,714 liters with the seats flat. If you put the third row of seats upright, an almost symbolic 159 liters remain. Very nice: there is a recess for the parcel shelf under the luggage floor, so it can simply be taken along.

Great for kids, or people who don’t like to complain.

Okay, and can you sit decently in that third row of seats?

As an adult, not really. If the people in the second row want to settle in a bit, it’s doable, but both head and legroom are scant. That is more or less the norm in this segment. It is better for children to persevere, although getting in and out is still a challenge. On the back seat it is fine to do if it is a bit back. The headroom is sufficient, although it is not overly spacious in versions with the panoramic roof as in the test car. Up front it is all Austral in the Espace. It looks nice, it works very well and there is a lot of space to put stuff away. Still a touch of MPV.

Do the powertrains match the Austral?

Yes, but in the Espace you have no choice: there will only be an E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 for the time being. So a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo engine that drives the front wheels via a four-speed gearbox without a clutch on one side and a 70 hp electric motor which drives the same front wheels via its own two-speed gearbox. The combustion engine’s transmission can shift gears thanks to a second 25 hp electric motor that takes the stress off the drive and acts as a generator for the more powerful electric motor when necessary. It all works fine if you don’t ask for too much power. But because the Espace is about 100 kilos heavier than the Austral and you can use it with seven people, you sometimes have to ask for more power and then the hybrid is a bit fickle. One time the powertrain reacts immediately, the other time it has to think for a while before the hybrid takes action.

Lots of Austral in the Espace, looks nice and works ok.

Speaking of action: does it want to turn the corner a bit?

Yes, but the chassis is as soft as a cheesecake and the Espace weighs about 1,600 kilos, so although there is more than enough grip, the chassis does not invite you to make sharp turns. Four-wheel steering and a multi-link rear axle are standard on the Esprit Alpine and Iconic, and although that is very nice for parking maneuvers, it does not make the Espace a dynamic car. Doesn’t matter, because the SUV is definitely comfortable. In addition, it is one of the few hybrid seven-seaters that can be yours for less than €50,000.

There is sufficient space in row two, the bench is standard sliding.