1997 Renault Espace RT review from UK and Ireland

One of the rear door seals split at 110000 miles, as a previous reviewer commented, but was easily fixed with window sealer, which has lasted.

Both rear brake cylinders needed replacement at about 115000, which seemed reasonable, not too expensive.

Panel bulbs have started popping at about 120000, and very hard to replace.

This seems to be about the best of the MPVs. It seems very quick for such a large vehicle, and can easily accelerate to 110 mph going up a German autobahn-grade hill, full loaded.

Driven gently, it is also very economical, being capable of well over 40 mpg, which gives over 700 miles on it's generous tank, the furthest I've been between fill-ups.

It's is also comfortable for all passengers, although rear passengers find the leg position, rather than space, a little strange since there is no foot well. I've managed a 1000 mile journey without much of a break without getting backache, although it's not quite as comfortable as my 940 Wentworth was, which is why I didn't give 10 out 10.

All seats remove very easily, transforming the vehicle into a van, but the back seat have to be removed to make full use of the load space behind the middle row, a drawback compared to a Volvo estate.