Yes, now the Renault Espace is an SUV and is equipped only with a 200-hp hybrid engine. We tell you if this twist in your concept benefits you or, rather, the opposite.
We put the Renault Espace 2023 to the test for the first time. This is the sixth generation of this model, which was born in 1984 and has now taken a turn to get on the SUV bandwagon, which is the type of car that everyone wants.
Not only does its design change, but the new Renault Espace is now bigger than before, measuring 4,722 mm long, 1,843 mm wide, and 1,645 mm high. While the wheelbase is 2,738 mm. The free height to the ground is 18 cm, which is quite a lot for what is styled in this segment.
As was the case in the previous generation, it is available in a five or seven-seater version without this entailing an additional cost for the buyer. And it is offered in three versions, which from least to most equipped are: Roof, Esprit Alpine, and Iconic.
It is based on Renault Austral and has the same platform as this, which is the so-called CMF-CD (Common Modular Platform for segments C and D), which is the one that the new Renault Rafale will also use. In fact, it could be said that this new Espace is actually a Grand Austral, but the brand has preferred not to abandon this recognizable name.
Design: This is the Espace 2023 on the outside
From the B-pillar forward it is like the Austral. But the rear is longer and higher here, to accommodate up to seven passengers, offering better headroom in the second row and, in addition, a larger cargo area. Below I give you specific information.
On the front, the new Renault logo is striking, as is the grille covered with vertical blades. On the side, there is a lot of strength, with standard 19-inch wheels, and very marked tension lines, which reinforce its SUV appearance.
And in the back, it mounts a large spoiler, a lower part very worked with chrome that tries to give it a more premium air, and the name Espace in the center of the tailgate, with the final 'E' in gold to highlight that it is an electrified car.
Interior of the Renault Espace 2023
The dashboard is already known from the Austral and that's not bad, because it gives the impression of being very technological with a double screen in which the aeration nozzles are brilliantly integrated. In addition, it has quality upholstery and even materials that simulate hardwood on the dashboard.
The digital instrument panel is 12.3 inches and the main screen, which is vertically arranged, is 12". Almost everything is integrated into this central display, but they have managed to leave some functions with shortcuts at the bottom and separate climate control controls, so you don't have to fidget too much, and that's good.
The multimedia system of the Renault Espace is based on Google and that is a guarantee of fluidity and ease of use. You find everything fast and easy as if it had been your car all your life. And if not, you use the vocal commands, which work great.
The room in the second row (it tilts three ways and up to 31 degrees) is really ample if you move the seats to their rearmost position. There is a lot of space for the legs and also for the head (919 mm). In addition, the feeling of spaciousness is multiplied by the panoramic roof, which is optional (1,000 euros) for Esprit Alpine and Iconic.
The third row of seats and trunk
Fundamental in this case to talk about the third row of seats. And I must say that it is almost the least I liked. To begin with, because it is a taller car, access is complicated (children will almost have to climb) and, above all, because they have not designed a specific access system.
The second row moves forward, but the seat does not rise, only the backrest folds down a bit, to access the last row. And the truth is that there is not much gap.
Once settled, it is the third row of seats, I verify that it is more recommended for children, because the floor is very high and, therefore, the knees are very bent. In addition, the space available for the legs is not very wide, although you take away space in the second row with the longitudinal adjustment.
And headroom is also very tight. In fact, if you place the backrests at their most reclining angle, your neck will rest directly on the curvature of the ceiling and not on the headrests. And that in my case, I measure 1.73. If you are taller it will even touch the top of your head.
The trunk offers 159 liters of capacity if you use all three rows of seats. With five seats, the capacity is 477 liters if the seats are in their rearmost position and increase to 581 liters. And finally, if you fold the second row, the cargo volume is 1,714 liters.
Espace: The hybrid engine is the only option
As I told you at the beginning, the iconic Renault Espace is now a hybrid and is called E-Tech full hybrid 200. Its mechanical package offers 200 CV and is made up of a three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with 130 CV and 205 Nm of torque, while Two electric motors powered by a 2 kWh lithium-ion battery are added. And declares an average consumption of only 4.6 l/100 km.
The main electric motor has 50 kW (70 CV) of power and 205 Nm and its mission is to move the car in electric mode. Instead, the second electric motor, which Renault calls HSG (High-voltage Starter Generator) and has 25 hp and 50 Nm of torque. It is used to start the combustion engine and change gears.
Since we are talking about gear changes, I will tell you that the transmission is a multimode automatic and combines two gears for the main electric motor and four gears for the combustion engine.
In practice, it is perceived as a slightly slow change and sometimes it seems that it doubts that the gear will engage and gives a little jerk, although you keep the accelerator pedal at constant pressure. I understand that it is due to when it couples the electric motor to the combustion engine, but it is certainly not as fine and smooth as would be desirable.
You can choose different modes of operation of the hybrid system: 100% electric (only the electric motor drives the wheels), dynamic hybrid (the combustion engine and the electric motor combine to drive the wheels), e-drive (the electric motor drives only the wheels, the combustion engine works to recharge the battery), thermal (the combustion engine moves the vehicle and/or recharges the battery) and energy recovery (the wheels drive the electric motor that recharges the battery).
Under normal conditions, it always starts at 100% electricity and with the energy recovery system activated automatically during deceleration and braking. But the driver can adjust as desired with four levels of regenerative braking selectable via the steering wheel paddles.
The dynamic test of the Renault Espace 2023
The first thing to explain is that although it is an SUV model, it is only available with 4x2 (front) drive and it is not expected that all-wheel drive variants will go on sale.
What is offered as standard from the Esprit Alpine finish is the 4Control Advanced four-wheel steering system. You can activate it in any of the driving modes (Multi Sense system: Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Personal -customized-) and it starts up by default when you select the Sport position.
Its intervention is really noticeable and not only a smaller turning radius is achieved when maneuvering in narrow areas (it turns up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front ones), but also greater agility when you are driving (it turns up to 1 degree in the same direction). sense than the front ones), which helps you not to swing so much in the curves.
I must admit that I was surprised at how it behaves on curved roads. Without losing the typical comfort of the brand, it is true that it does not swing excessively and is more agile than expected. Perhaps you can tell that he now weighs 215 kg less than before.
Rivals and price of the Espace 2023
If you are looking for a seven-seater SUV, there are options on the market such as the Seat Tarraco or the Skoda Kodiaq, but if you also want it with a hybrid engine, then only its cousin, the Nissan X-Trail, the Peugeot 5008, the Kia Sorento or the Hyundai Santa Fe offers you that option.
The Renault Espace 2023 is available for 43,500 euros with the Techno finish, so it is one of the cheapest in its category, only bettered by the 5008. If you prefer the Esprit Alpine version, the price goes up to 46,000 euros and the Iconic to 48,000. And there will be no promotional discounts.
In addition, an option is offered through multi-option credit that allows you to buy the Espace with an Esprit Alpine finish for 349 euros per month (36 installments), with an initial installment of 10,000 euros and a final installment of 12,000.
Factors to decide the purchase
Clearly, you should think about buying an Espace if you need 7 seats and a large trunk on a recurring basis. I think the fact that it is now an SUV is also an advantage because now it is a car that conveys a more prestigious image and that is something that is given importance.
As it is a comfortable car, it is ideal for traveling. Therefore, it should be valued by those who travel many kilometers each year. And it cannot be overlooked that it has the DGT Eco Label, which is always an advantage when entering large cities.
Assessment
The best
Space in the second row,
trunk capacity,
four-wheel steering,
low consumption.
Worst
change response,
access and space in the last row.
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