Renault Espace MPV (2003-2012): owner reviews

"The Renault Espace is huge, but the rearmost seats are cramped, and there’s not much room for luggage."

Carbuyer Rating

3.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.9 out of 5

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Reviews

Owner Reviews

  • 5 out of 5
  • 4 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5
  • 2 out of 5
  • 1 out of 5
thumbs up54%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

  • Engine (7 cases)
  • Electrics, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
  • Other (7 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
  • Suspension (2 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Suspension (1 case)
  • Brakes (2 cases)
  • Gearbox / clutch (2 cases)
  • Electrics (2 cases)
  • Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
  • Electrics, Engine (2 cases)

Review 1 of 59

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

34
Tell us what you think about your car?
starts every time no fuss, everything works as it should
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol

Year

1994

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
256,000 and is very reliable. I would never willingly part with it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Tell us what you think about your car?
no real problems but key fobs pack up regularly - for a keyless car pretty important!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

23
Tell us what you think about your car?
engine unreliable expensive to maintain
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

2 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Grand Espace, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

initiale, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Extremely comfortable and very easy to drive, you do not feel you are driving a large car
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Dynamique S, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent people carrier, very practical, pretty comfortable
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

priviledge, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Brilliant to drive and really comfortable but to gready on the fuel
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I was going to change this car this year, but it has been so good i haven't had to. In the current economic climate it's nice to know that i can keep a (french!) Car for over 4 years and it has been utterly reliable. The petrol consumption is poor and road tax high, but these costs are insignificant compared to changing it!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

25
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
It's very reliable but the tyres wear down quite quickly
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
very good
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Authentic, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
It's practical in principle, but turned out to be very costly due to bad engineering / french engineering
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

rxt, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2000

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Elize, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
223,000 miles and still a joy to drive. I am looking forward to taking this car four times round the clock. Watch this espace!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

RXE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2000

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
2.0 16v espace series 3, absolutely superb, closest car to a porsche 944 i've ever driven for performance and road holding, amazing fuel consumption for it's size (30mpg motorway cruising), incredible acceleration for overtaking, superb abs brakes and well balanced power steering. Bad seats are the biggest downside, like riding a log on long distances, parts expensive, and thank goodness i can do my own repairs. Would buy same model again, but not later models, too many electrical gizmo's to go wrong!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great car, very practical for a family. Very reliable
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

2 out of 5

Car Details

Model

initiale, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2004

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great styling and practicality. unreliable engine, multiple problems, new engine needed etc.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

RT X TD, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

1999

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Grande espace - had it for 10 years - it has been fantastically useful for transporting family on holidays wiith all the luggage/tents etc and great for large shops at ikea and taking stuff to the tip. On the downside expensive to run and door won't close properly last few years.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Race, 1.0-litre to 1.5-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2002

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Love the car and practicality but not it's reliability
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Previlege, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent. Does exactly what it was bought to do and even better
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

32
Tell us what you think about your car?
everything
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2012

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

31
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

30
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent, had no problems at all with it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

39
Tell us what you think about your car?
Left it for a week and battery flat.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
no problems experienced
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

27
Tell us what you think about your car?
Too early to tell - OK so far....
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

33
Tell us what you think about your car?
Electrical problems have presented as well as a steering box probel early on. Overal I am pleased with the car's performance and it suits me as a disabled person where it conveniently caries my disability scooter and wheelchair
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

34
Tell us what you think about your car?
In 40,000 miles of ownership, it has never missed a beat. It has used no oil either.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Initiale, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Comfortable and very versatile
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

tdi, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Its brilliant. Good leg room and easy to take seats in and out. I have 6 children and 3 grandchildren. Ages range from 26 to 13 months. Tallest son is 6' 4". Never complains of lack of room. Pushchair fits in boot. Boot big enough for weekly shop when only 5 seats in. Can't expect miracles.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

2 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Dynamique, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Poor. poor dealer. poor service, would not buy renault again
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Priviledge, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Very good
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Grand Espace Dynamique S, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Very practical and great for a big family
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Privilige, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Does what we expected. More expensive to run and insure than expected. Good reliability let down by indifferent and pricey service
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excelent, flexible, comfortable
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Dynamique 130 DCi, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Wonderful for the family.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Grand espace is a bit too large really.some interior trim could be better.seats heavy to remove. 2.0 diesel engine excellent.brakes /visibilty /road noise /safety all excellent. tyres expensive. 1 breakdown only due to faulty wheel bearing at 4000 miles
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique s, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

2 out of 5

Car Details

Model

The Race, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
When everything works, it's the most comfortable & practical car ever. When things go wrong (several times per year), even alan sugar would sweat at the bill!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
A really clever and comfortable car that has never let me down.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

>3 litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
nothing major has ever occurred
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
No breakdowns.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
After 6 weeks my car is still not fixed . I've never experienced anything this before. I can't write down what i think.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I feel that i got extreemely lucky with this car as it has served myself and family very well.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

basic, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2003

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Disappointing - poor engibne - poor indoor trim.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Privilegde, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great capacity, 2 surfboards inside plus luggage, kids and wife still not cramped!!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

dynamique, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2005

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Reasonable value to buy and own. Decent styling. Practical.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

36
Tell us what you think about your car?
No serious problems.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

37
Tell us what you think about your car?
Only broken down once - recall replacement part failed next day!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Grand, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Perfect for a large family and excellent mix of perormance and economy for such a big car
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

The Race, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Good spacious people carrier great for a young family. On going engine problem which is very intermittent.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Initiale, Above 3.0-litre, Petrol, Automatic

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Seven really comfortable idividual seats keep passengers happy and the quiet but extremely rapid engine whisks the family both on daily trips and loves summer holidays in france. For a large mpv the grand espace still looks a stylish vehicle. Love it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Grand Dynamique DCI 150, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2006

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Overall its a great car we are a family of 5 and it it had no problems taking us all to france camping with all the kit we needed, really comfortable to drive and for a big/heavy car it has plenty of go. it is a bit thursty but im not to worried about 34mpg. can be a pain to parc sometimes due to size and space in muti car parks. would and do recomend to others to buy if you need an mpv this has it all!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

i music, 1.0-litre to 1.5-litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

RXE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Petrol, Manual

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Brilliantly practical. Will carry 7 in air-conditioned comfort on leather seats, yet with the rear 5 seats removed it's almost as big as a transit - great for trips to the dump and buying building materials. Great stereo and abs add to it's qualities. Easily achieve 30mpg, which i admit is not the best, but it's complete versatility far outweighs it's running costs. Finally, with a plastic body and galvanised chassis i never need worry about rust. Best car i've ever owned - apart from my tr6!!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

The Race, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year

2001

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
On average it has broken down every 3 months! Had to be towed on half the occasions. Aa man said the espace model was very unreliable but not as bad as the laguna! I got a copy of the warranty work done in the first 3 years and it amounted to over £3,000 in parts alone. After that i thought surely it would be ok, but no. It was so unreliable my wife wouldn't drive it for fear of braking down. Sold it with only 51,000 miles on the clock. Renault rubbish - absolute rubbish.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

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