Car Statistics: Renault - Espace Series 97 (3 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

Design clearly drawn from the look of previous generations. Handsome enough, if not particularly imaginative.

Handling (3 stars)

Espace buyers aren't looking for backroad thrills - which is just as well thanks to the vague driving experience.

Comfort (4 stars)

Supportive seats and excellent noise insulation make the Espace an excellent place to spend time.

Quality (4 stars)

Solidly constructed and with lots of premium-feeling materials in the cabin, although the minimalist dashboard design can get confusing.

Performance (3 stars)

Entry level engines lack urge, especially when asked to deal with bigger loads. More powerful DCi diesels are the pick of the range - 3.5 litre V6 petrol is too thirsty and expensive to make sense.

Roominess (4 stars)

Loads of room for five occupants, although the third row seats are lacking in legroom. Buyers can opt for a slightly longer

Costs (3 stars)

Fuel economy is reasonable considering the Espace's vast dimensions, but it's expensive to insure and depreciation is steep.

Value (2 stars)

Newer rivals have left the Espace looking very expensive, especially as you move towards the top of the range. Big discounts are available though, suggesting that Renault dealers agree.

Stereo (4 stars)

The audio system gives good sound quality throughout the cabin once you've got used to its slightly confusing control layout. Satnav is a very expensive option.