Renault Espace VI

The previous fifth-generation Espace eschewed its large MPV form into a premium midsize crossover that is deemed controversial for loyalists but it still works like a people carrier. For this all-new, sixth-generation model, the antithesis of the Renault Espace is getting deeper, shaking away its MPV image further and becoming even more of a crossover.

2024 Renault Espace

Starting at 44,500 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new, sixth-generation, Renault Espace is further shaking away its MPV image that became the hallmark of the Espace heritage for nearly four decades in favor of a crossover image because in the new normal, crossover SUVs are becoming as big as superheroes in movies and TV nowadays. Despite becoming more of a crossover, it still works like an MPV, meaning it's capable of tackling through almost all walks of life.

2024 Renault Espace

Beginning with the exterior design, while this is basically an enlarged Austral, the all-new Espace is now as big as the now-defunct Koleos. Yes, the Koleos is now officially extinct and the Espace is taking over the spot that was left vacant by the Koleos' demise. With its Austral looks and Koleos sizing, the Espace looks like the best of both worlds or rather a rock and a hard place, metaphorically speaking.

2024 Renault Espace interior

While the new interior features typical Renault stuff like the bent-over touch-screen in the middle that runs on Google with over 50 embedded apps for your doom-scrolling pleasure as well as the Harman Kardon high-fidelity sound with 12 speakers and sound spatialization technology, the all-new Espace is offered in either a five-seater or a seven-seater. Depending on the variant, it can carry up to 1,818L of boot space with the second and third-row seats folded down, more than you can fit into the Koleos.

2024 Renault Espace

As expected, the sixth-generation Espace is front-wheel-drive only just like its predecessor, meaning it only fits through city streets and some dirt, but not too much dirt, and because it's now running on an entirely new platform and comes with the 4CONTROL Advanced four-wheel steering, it drives better than its predecessor, I presume.

Under the hood, it's powered by the same 1.2L E-TECH Hybrid as the Austral. It produces 200PS of power output and mated with the 6-speed AT, the fuel economy is 4.6 L/100 km based on WLTP standards. This engine is engineered to have 1,100km of autonomy as Renault estimates.

For safety, the all-new Espace features a host of ADAS such as Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy, Automated Park Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, RCTA, and Occupant Safe Exit, among many others.

Shaking away its MPV image further is deemed unsatisfactory for Espace loyalists since its predecessor but the all-new sixth-generation Espace is still living up to its mantra by being capable of tackling through all walks of life like a decent people carrier. A proper competitor to the Mazda CX-8 if you ask.

With its Austral looks, Koleos sizing, E-TECH, and a host of safety tech, the Espace of the new normal is all about getting ready for almost everything and perhaps certain questions about the new model are better left unanswered.

Available Colors: Bleu Nocturne, Blanc Nacre, Rouge Flamme, Gris Schiste Satin, Gris Schiste, and Noir Etoile.

Photo: Renault

Renault Espace V

For over three decades, the Renault Espace has been one of the most important cars in history. Although it's the least sporty car ever made, it has been one of the greatest seismic shifts in automotive history. It's no wonder why the people carrier is invented for the said purpose. In recent history, it seems that the Espace is too much underappreciated for a people's carrier no matter how many full model changes occurred. Desperate and Renault's going to remove the Espace from the map but the name's too sacred because it's the name that put the people carrier to the automotive world so with no choice left, Renault decided to keep the Espace for a while but modernize it with a whole new spin.

2015 Renault Espace

So what's the spin? It has transformed from a large MPV of yesteryears to a luxury crossover of today. It wasn't quite pleasing to the loyalists but despite being a full-sized crossover, it still feels like a people carrier because you can still fit some families, dogs, or businesses in it. You can even use it on weekends whether it its a shopping trip or a road trip from one countryside, province, prefecture, or whatever you call it, to another.

It's quite shoddy why they've turned the Espace from a lackluster MPV to a modernized crossover for whatever reason but by the looks of it, it has some premium feel to its sleek design. and even though it looks big for a tall people carrier, the Espace isn't half bad to look at.

2015 Renault Espace interior

In its three-decade history, the Espace is well-known for its clever interior and for this brand new Espace, the interior's redefined with something classy but with a hint of cruelty in it. Inside, you can opt-in for either a 5-seater or a 7-seater, and for the cruelty of it, there's no twin center glovebox from the previous Espaces, no swiveling seats (because swiveling seats are so old-school), and worse of all, no CD player. What you see on the dashboard is an iPad-esque touchscreen loaded with Renault's next-generation R-Link telematics system.

On the upside, there's no need to get rid of seats for luggage purposes. You just have to fold down the seats at the touch of a button and no problem. You can do whatever you want like most people carriers do. You can sleep in it, work in it, play in it, the possibilities are endless but why? Maybe it inherits the same versatility from past Espaces. That's for sure.

2015 Renault Espace

To be a practical people mover, the engine has to be practical and the new Espace, it's offered with just a small 1.6L engine with three different setups. First, there's the efficient ENERGY dCi 130 which is mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox, producing a reasonably 130PS of power, and 320Nm of torque. The combined fuel economy is 22.2km/L. Then, there's the petrol-powered Energy TCe 200 engine connected with a 7-speed EDC gearbox which produces a more powerful 200PS of power, 260Nm of torque, and combined fuel economy of 16.1km/L. And lastly and the core of the range is the ENERGY dCi 160 engine mated with the 6-speed EDC gearbox. This engine has the most torque of the three engine variations with 160PS of power and 380Nm of torque.

Amazingly, this high-torque diesel engine draws its inspiration from Renault's Formula 1 engines and you can expect similar engine techs as seen on F1 engines such as a transverse water flow system, U-Flex piston rings, and a greatly reduced friction by surface super finishing.

It's not just the engines that shine the Espace out from the rest but thanks to the new platform and refined aerodynamics, it's lighter as well and with the available 4Control chassis, it feels more nimble as well.

2015 Renault Espace

Although the new Espace lacks some of the classic Espace features of yesteryears with its clever features, added room, and its bold design, it really works its charm although my point of regret is because of the lack of a CD player, its traditional dashboard that lacks the dual glovebox from past Espaces, the choice of diesel engines which will soon be forced out when Parisian laws prohibit cars using them goes on effect, but it's the pricing that made me regret and with prices start at 34,200 Euros, more expensive than the Renault Scenic.

Also, it's available exclusively for left-hand drive markets. Sorry.

Available Colors: Noir Etoile, Marron Glace, Blanc Nacre, Gris Cassiopee, Beige Dune, Gris Platine, Bleu Celeste, Blanc Glacier, and Noir Amethyste.

Photo: Renault