Renault Master Review & Buyers Guide

Renault Master Review & Buyers' Guide

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£20,795 – £29,945

Available as	Engine options	Volume (m³)	Payload (kg)	MPG
Van, Crew Cab, Chassis Cab, Chassis Double Cab, Platform Cab, Dropside, Tipper, Box Van, Refrigerated, Minibus	2.3TD 100/125/146 hp	8.0 – 17.0	994 – 2,254	TBA

Our Verdict

Renault has hit the spot with this latest generation Master and we have no reservations, except that ESP should be standard across the board, in recommending it.

The current generation Master — also sold as the Movano by Vauxhall — is a very different proposition to its predecessor. For starters it has followed Ford’s lead with the Transit and is available with the option of front- or rear-wheel drive.

There’s a choice of three wheelbases and roof heights, four body lengths and the result is load space ranging from 8.0m³ to 17.0m³ and gross payloads of between 994kg and 2,254kg. Gross vehicle weights go from 2.8t up to 4.5t.

Twin unglazed rear doors and a nearside sliding side door provide load area access, and a full steel bulkhead is fitted to all models as standard in the UK, we are pleased to report. Renault has thoughtfully provided up to 20 load tie-down rings, depending on vehicle length.

As well as a three-seater van, it can also be had as a six-seater crew cab van, a chassis cab and a chassis crew cab. Renault is working on a line-up of one-stop shop conversions, some of which will be sourced from the factory.

Power comes from a range of 2.3-litre Euro 5 common rail diesels with outputs of 100hp/285Nm, 125hp/310Nm and 145hp/310Nm. They all feature a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard across all models, as is ABS. ESP, however, is fitted as part of the rear-wheel drive package, but is optional on front-wheel drive.

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We prefer the handling of the rear-wheel drive models, but the front-drivers don’t disappoint. The ride is on a par with the competition and noise levels have been reduced considerably compared to the previous generation.

The cab environment is a big step forwards from that of the predecessor. The gearchange remains dash-mounted and we have never seen so many storage cubbies and pockets. All-round visibility is excellent and there’s even a neat rear view camera available as an option, the screen for which resides in the back of the driver’s sun visor.

All bar the entry-level Freeway model come with a Carminat TomTom sat nav, complete with swivelling screen mounted at the top of the windscreen in the middle. The positioning takes a bit of getting used to, but a useful standard item nonetheless.

Service intervals are set at a very healthy 25,000 miles or two years and the standard mechanical warranty is three years/100,000 miles.