RENAULT ESPACE IV 2.0 (a) Turbo & RENAULT LAGUNA TEST DRIVE & OUR IMPRESSION

On a lovely Sunday, me & some of my friends gather to test two Renaults for some photo shoots and test drives; the premium MPV called RENAULT ESPACE IV 2.0(A) Turbo & the new lovely RENAULT LAGUNA COUPE 2.0T (a).

Firstly, many thanks to Mr.Azmi and his team from TC Euro Cars for their support and full cooperation.

We head to Hartamas, Gombak, Ulu Yam, Tanjung Malim and back to KL for some video and photo shots. Our night shots have to wait for next week due to time constraint.

Anyway, lets talk and share about the driving experience, people expectations and so on.

RENAULT GRAND ESPACE 2.0T (A) Mk IV

BRIEF HISTORY

The 1st model that Renault built it actually (previously, the body and final assembly is actually made by MATRA from Mk I to Mk III). Launched in France in 2003, imported  in Malaysia from 2008, priced at a premium RM290K+. Maintain the previous Espace concept of a premium 7 seater (2+3+2 layout) MPV, movable & detachable chair, big windows, big windscreen, airline dashboard, etc but added with some more power, better handling and improved safety.

DESIGN & EXTERIOR

Grand Espace (as it names suggest) is much longer than the standard version (about 1 feet), so you have more luggage space (normal issues in MPVs). Design is "hate it or love it" affair. IMHO, the previous model have better looking, the new version (not so new actually) looks more modern and muscular but a little weird in the front.

Size is actually not that big from the outside if you compare to other "luxury MPVs" in Malaysia such as Toyota Alphard, Estimas, Honda Elyssion or Nissan Elgrand. Inside it roomier but not that significant due to the bigger sized chairs. Inside is quite spacious , a little better than previous Espace but by a small margin. The big windows and the cockpit style dashboard gives it an airy feel and that spaciousness feeling. I can say the design is a little unique and non-conventional and it stands out of the crowd. As there are so many Estimas, Alphards, and other Japanese MPVs, the Espace is different.

As Renault is from France, they love being different.

 the design is a little unique and non-conventional and it stands out of the crowd. As there are so many Estimas, Alphards, and other Japanese MPVs, the Espace is different

INTERIOR

The dashboard is quite unique and vast compared to normal MPVs but if you are an owner of a previous Renault Espace III, all the controls and design will be right at home and will be familiar in no time. However, new drivers to this model will need to take about 1-3 days to familiarize its buttons and location of switches that are grouped; airconds on the right door, audio buttons behind the steering wheel, starter button and start card/key is low (near the gear stick). However, some positioning takes a while to familiarize and maybe the location of the buttons or switchgear is not suitable such as the cruise control/speed limiter on off is low below the right side of dashboard, hidden among other switches (lamp leveller), which can be dangerous if you try to switch it while on the move. The auto handbrake also was put on the same location, which is a little awkward to operate sometimes, IMHO put on the centre console or using of foot brake is more suitable.

"new drivers to this model will need to take about 1-3 days to familiarize its buttons and location of switches that are grouped"



All the plastics on the dashboard and other components inside it using much better plastics compared to previous Renaults and other Japanese/Korean vehicles. However, it does not have the same level of quality feel and fit & finish of the newer post 2009 models of Renaults (Laguna, megane) or its German rivals such as Audi or Mercedes yet.

Its vast & very big sunroof makes it feels special and spacious. It also come with curtain to stop heat to enter the Espace cabin.

The unit on the move. Looks different, feel different and priced differently.. he he

The centre digital speedometer concept was carried over from the previous Espace model started in 1997, then copied by other manufacturers

No, ESSO did not sponsor this blog. We are actually waiting for the Laguna coupe to be washed for photo shoot session. 

The buttons are placed quite uniquely here and there (but at its normal place for Renault Espace owners), but once you remember all the places and feel comfortable with it, you will feel or wonder why does other cars or MPVs was not designed like this, it just feel practical and easily accessible.. ha ha.

 

"buttons are placed quite uniquely here and there , but once you remember all the places and feel comfortable with it, will be ok"

The seats are semi leather and very comfortable in a firmer way. Firmer seats give better support for long distance driving to the body, but still very comfy. All the rear seats come with its own seat belts and can be slide, recline and detach individually. This seating positions configurations is preferred by most European MPVs (2+3+2) compared to Asia/Japan/Korean MPV (2+2+3) due to the MULTI PURPOSE function rather than the MULTI PEOPLE VEHICLE which is popular in Malaysia. As they do many DIY stuffs, this 2+3+2 helps with multiple configuration of seats and different size of loads, but you need to take away the seats and store it somewhere which is a disadvantage.

The party piece is its huge sunroof. The biggest for an MPV. It really helps for all the passenger to feel the space especially once the sunroof curtain is opened. The glass can also be opened, which is cool especially for the kids.


RIDE & HANDLING

The Espace on our favourite route (Ulu Yam - Batang Kali - Tg Malim). 

It did not look GRAND but looks sportier and quite compact if compared to its rival within its price range (RM295,000 without insurance)

Ride is comfortable but a little firmer compared to previous models. Handling aka cornering is significantly better than its previous versions and even compared to other models of MPVs in the market. Bad roads can send some vibrations inside the cabin due to its firmer suspension. On highway, it feels so planted and at home even at higher speed than the legal limit. It wins hands down compared to most of other Korean or Japanese MPVs in feeling very solid and secured.

"comfortable but a little firmer compared to previous models. cornering is significantly better than its previous versions"


SAFETY
5 star Rating from EURONCAP proves that this is a very safe MPV. It comes with 6 airbags as standard, ESP, ABS, EBD and ISOFIX for baby seat, not to mention pretensioner seat belts.

COMFORT
People buy Renault because of this. With rear airconds on every row as standard, it helps a lot in our hot climate. Seats are very comfortable especially long journey (but bulky & heavy if dismantle). Comes with climate control and its good actually. The extra space at rear helps a lot in luggage areas or if an adult need to seat on the last row.

RELIABILITY, DURABILITY & MAINTENANCE

We do not have database on this because it is sold in Malaysia since 2008 and most of the owners of this version did not yet share their experience on this matter yet. But we expect and hope the reliability record will be improved compared to the previous models, with better maintenance and reduced ownership costs.





CONCLUSION
If you or your friend which drives a Japanese or local cars, I believe his/her 1st impression os "WOW!! Like a spacecraft or spaceship.." this is what I got from many friends who get inside an Espace from this version or the previous version. It is simply an awesome MPV.

The improvement may not significant compared to the previous ESPACE III model it replaced, but from a non owner of a Renault Espace, it makes a lot of differences, and I believe most of them will appreciate its uniqueness.


VERDICT :
- design that is different from the masses of MPVs
- comfortable but a little firm suspension
- spacious, futuristic and quite expensive
- stick to most of previous Espace traits and tricks
- premium MPV with unconventional design
- seats bulky and comfortable but quite tricky to get inside/outside last row with all seats inside

OUR RATING
Design & Exterior = 3.5 out of 5
Interior = 4 out of 5
Ride = 3.5 out of 5
Handling = 4 out of 5
Comfort = 4.5 out of 5
Safety = 5 out of 5