Renault Espace: from minivan to SUV, or almost it

By Redação AutoIndústria | 3/28/23 | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

Launched in 1983, the Renault Espace enters its sixth generation. Always known as a minivan, the model keeps focused on family use but gained a new style closer to the sport-utilities, a global consumer fever that has not left many options for automotive designers and manufacturers.

The new Espace will be sold in Europe this semester, with five or seven-passenger options. The luggage compartment, aimed at families, is a highlight and can carry from 777 to 1,818 liters in the five-passenger version with the rear seats’ back folded.

The sixth generation, to dispute the European market C and D segments, is smaller and lower and 215 kg lighter than the previous. It is manufactured on the CMF-CD platform developed by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

Inside, stand out the digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the 12-inch multimedia central. Renault offers as an option a head-up display and a more than one square-meter sunroof.

The brand opted to give the Espace a hybrid drivetrain with a 1.3 gasoline engine and two electric motors – one working as a generator. The 199 cv drive unit can take the SUV-minivan from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.

Nonetheless, Renault emphasizes Espace’s autonomy, up to 1,100 km. According to the manufacturer, fuel consumption is 21.3 km/l, with 104 g/km CO2 emissions.

Besides 32 driver assistance systems, a special feature is the 4Control Advanced system that, up to 50 km/h, turns the rear wheels up to 5 degrees contrary to the front wheels, making maneuvers easier. Over 50 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front ones, but just up to 1 degree. In this case, the focus is on handling.