Renault Espace

Which Renault Espace Version Should You Buy?

The Renault Espace version to choose depends on whether efficiency, performance, drivetrain, or newer SUV packaging matters most. Among versions with measured consumption, the fifth-generation 1.6 MT (130 hp) has the lowest combined figure at 4.5 l/100 km. For acceleration, the fifth-generation and restyled fifth-generation 1.8 EDC (225 hp) lead at 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 224 km/h.

The Renault Espace version to choose depends on whether efficiency, performance, drivetrain, or newer SUV packaging matters most. Among versions with measured consumption, the fifth-generation 1.6 MT (130 hp) has the lowest combined figure at 4.5 l/100 km. For acceleration, the fifth-generation and restyled fifth-generation 1.8 EDC (225 hp) lead at 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 224 km/h. Buyers wanting the current SUV 5-doors body can choose the sixth-generation 1.3 CVT (140 hp), 1.3 CVT (160 hp), or 1.2 AT (200 hp); the restyled model offers the 1.2 E-Tech AT (200 hp). Performance, consumption, weight, clearance, and tank figures that are absent from the supplied specifications are identified below as not measured.

Renault Espace generations: what changed?

The first generation, produced from 1984 to 1990, was a Minivan with 7 versions. Its range included 2.0 MT, 2.9 MT, and 2.1 MT versions, with Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual gearboxes, FWD or AWD, and 150 mm ground clearance.

The second generation ran from 1991 to 1996 as a Minivan with 10 versions. It broadened the choice to 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.2 MT, 2.2 AT, 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, 2.1 MT5, 2.1 MT4, and 2.1 AT. Most were FWD, while a 2.2 MT (107 hp) offered AWD. Ground clearance was 110 mm, or 40 mm less than the first generation.

The third generation covered 1996 to 2002 and remained a Minivan, with 10 versions. Its range extended from the 1.9 MT (98 hp) to the 3.0 AT (190 hp). All listed versions were FWD, and ground clearance remained 110 mm.

The fourth generation ran from 2002 to 2006 as a Minivan with 15 versions. The supplied data shows 12 of them, spanning the 1.9 MT (117 hp) through the 3.5 AT (245 hp). Its first restyling, offered from 2006 to 2012, had 17 versions, of which 12 are shown; these include the 1.9 MT (117 hp), several 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT alternatives, 2.2 AT, 3.0 AT5, and 3.5 AT. A second restyling ran from 2012 to 2014 with 5 versions, all 2.0 Diesel models. Across the fourth-generation phases, the listed ground clearance is generally 120 mm where measured.

The fifth generation was offered from 2015 to 2019 as a Minivan with 4 versions: 1.6 MT (130 hp), 1.6 EDC (160 hp), 1.6 EDC (200 hp), and 1.8 EDC (225 hp). Its 2019 to 2023 restyling had 3 versions: 1.8 EDC (225 hp), 2.0 EDC (160 hp), and 2.0 EDC (200 hp). Every listed fifth-generation version is FWD, and ground clearance increased to 160 mm.

The sixth generation started in 2023 as an SUV 5-doors with 3 versions: 1.3 CVT (140 hp), 1.3 CVT (160 hp), and 1.2 AT (200 hp). The restyling began in 2025 with 1 version, the 1.2 E-Tech AT (200 hp). All listed sixth-generation versions are FWD.

Renault Espace engine and transmission specs

Repeated names are distinguished by power because their specifications differ.

Performance and fuel economy

For outright performance, the fifth-generation 1.8 EDC (225 hp) is the clearest choice: 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 224 km/h. Its combined consumption is 7.6 l/100 km, with 9.9 l/100 km in the city and 6.3 l/100 km on the highway. The same measured figures apply to the restyled 1.8 EDC (225 hp).

The fourth-generation 3.5 AT (245 hp) and restyled 3.5 AT (241 hp) both reach 225 km/h and complete 0–100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. Their combined consumption is 12.4 l/100 km, which is 4.8 l/100 km higher than the fifth-generation 1.8 EDC.

For economy, the fifth-generation 1.6 MT (130 hp) records 4.5 l/100 km combined, 5.1 l/100 km in the city, and 4.2 l/100 km on the highway. The 1.6 EDC (160 hp) uses 4.7 l/100 km combined but improves acceleration from 10.7 to 9.9 seconds and raises top speed from 191 to 202 km/h. That is 30 hp and 60 Nm more for a combined-consumption increase of 0.2 l/100 km.

Among the restyled fifth-generation diesels, the 2.0 EDC (160 hp) returns 5.1 l/100 km combined and reaches 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. The 2.0 EDC (200 hp) returns 5.3 l/100 km and takes 9.1 seconds. The stronger version therefore adds 40 hp and 40 Nm, cuts 1.4 seconds from acceleration, and raises top speed from 200 to 215 km/h, while adding 0.2 l/100 km to combined consumption.

For every sixth-generation 1.3 CVT, 1.2 AT, and 1.2 E-Tech AT, 0–100 km/h, top speed, city consumption, highway consumption, and combined consumption are not measured in the supplied data.

Renault Espace dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels

No exterior length, width, height, wheelbase, interior dimensions, seating capacity, or trunk-space measurement is supplied, so each is not measured here.

The first-generation 2.0 MT (103 hp) weighs 1200 kg kerb and 1820 kg gross, with 150 mm clearance. The AWD first-generation 2.0 MT (114 hp) weighs 1508 kg, which is 160 kg more than its FWD counterpart at 1348 kg.

In the second generation, the FWD 2.2 MT (107 hp) weighs 1282 kg, while the AWD 2.2 MT (107 hp) weighs 1534 kg: an AWD increase of 252 kg. Both have 110 mm clearance and a 77-litre tank.

Third-generation measured kerb weights span 1490 kg to 1737 kg, while gross weights span 2250 kg to 2510 kg. Clearance is 110 mm, and the tank holds 78 litres. Listed wheel sizes are 205/65 R15 and 215/55 R16 for the 2.0 MT (140 hp) and 2.0 AT (140 hp).

The fourth-generation data includes weights from 1665 kg for the 2.0 MT (136 hp) to 1885 kg for the 3.0 AT (180 hp). The tank is 83 litres, and clearance is generally 120 mm where measured. Listed fourth-generation wheels are 225/55 R17 and 225/60 R16 on specified 2.0 MT (170 hp) and 2.0 AT (170 hp) versions.

The fifth-generation 1.6 MT weighs 1615 kg kerb, while the 1.6 EDC (160 hp) weighs 1734 kg. Both have 160 mm clearance and a 58-litre tank. Listed wheel choices are 235/65 R17, 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, and 255/45 R20. Restyled models use a 56-litre tank; their wheel sizes are not measured.

For all sixth-generation versions, kerb weight, gross weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured.

Which Renault Espace version should you buy?

Choose the fifth-generation 1.6 MT (130 hp) if measured fuel economy is the priority. Its 4.5 l/100 km combined figure is the lowest in the supplied specifications, and its power density is about 81.4 hp per litre.

Choose the fifth-generation 1.6 EDC (160 hp) if you want the strongest balance of Diesel torque and measured economy. It develops 380 Nm, returns 4.7 l/100 km combined, and carries about 10.8 kg per hp. Compared with the 1.6 MT, it provides quicker acceleration and a higher top speed without a large consumption increase.

Choose the restyled fifth-generation 2.0 EDC (200 hp) if stronger Diesel performance matters. It has the highest listed Espace Diesel torque at 400 Nm, approximately 100.2 hp per litre, and about 8.9 kg per hp. Its 5.3 l/100 km combined consumption is only 0.2 l/100 km above the 160 hp version.

Choose the 1.8 EDC (225 hp) when acceleration is the deciding number. It produces approximately 125.1 hp per litre and carries about 7.3 kg per hp, supporting the measured 7.9-second acceleration time. It is quicker than every other version with a supplied 0–100 km/h result.

Choose the fourth-generation 3.5 AT (245 hp) if you specifically want the largest and most powerful listed Gasoline engine. Its 3498 cc, 245 hp, and 330 Nm deliver 8.1-second acceleration, but its 12.4 l/100 km combined consumption makes the efficiency trade-off explicit.

Choose the second-generation AWD 2.2 MT (107 hp) or the first-generation AWD 2.0 MT (114 hp) and 2.9 MT (153 hp) only when AWD itself is essential: all listed Espace versions from the third generation onward are FWD. The data also shows the weight consequence clearly, with the comparable second-generation AWD 2.2 MT weighing 252 kg more than the FWD version.

Finally, choose the sixth-generation 1.2 AT (200 hp) or restyled 1.2 E-Tech AT (200 hp) if the SUV 5-doors body and Hybrid fuel type are the priorities. Each combines 200 hp, 205 Nm, 1199 cc, Automatic transmission, and FWD. Their power density is approximately 166.8 hp per litre, the highest calculated figure in this catalogue data, but performance, economy, weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes remain not measured, so they cannot be ranked numerically against the older versions on those criteria.