Similar in style and appeal to the regular Espace, the Renault Grand Espace Minivan is longer and designed to carry more people. It provides comfort and convenience for passengers, although it could be a little roomier in the cargo compartment. It is possible to create more room in the back, but only if there are fewer passengers on board than there are seats. That is not to say that making more room is not a little inconvenient considering the rear seats have to be completely removed due to their inability to fold into the floor the way that they do in competitor vehicles. The interior is worth the extra hassle if cargo space is not the primary motive for interest in the Renault Grand Espace Minivan, however. There are many features that are provided standard which makes the purchase price a little more worthwhile, but it is definitely on the pricier side of the minivan market. The available features make driving convenient, even though they are not as easily accessible as some vehicles, and there is plenty of room to move around and get comfortable. With great acoustics that allow for a quiet ride, kid noise excluded, the overall feel is worth the test drive.
The ride itself is pretty decent. The Renault Grand Espace Minivan provides a smooth ride as the suspension takes most of the heat form rough roads, but this is definitely not a vehicle that should be taken on back roads simply for entertainment value. The handling is okay but not especially firm when it comes to corners and it does not really have the ambition to get up and go no matter what engine is chosen for under the hood. Fuel consumption is about average as well, so there is nothing overly spectacular about the Grand Espace besides the space that it offers and the features that make driving convenient. It is pleasing to look at, however, even if it is not very distinguished. The Grand Espace provides an attractive front for all of the comfort that has been put into it, while retaining the Renault safety stance that their vehicles have become known for. When looking for a family vehicle that is more than capable of getting the job done, the Renault Grand Espace Minivan is worth a peak as long as the funds are available. Without all of the frills that make for unique vehicles, this is one that cuts right to the heart of a family road trip where comfort and safety are top priority.