Renault Master van review: Parkers Van of the Year 2025

• Easy to drive, smooth and quiet
• Strong engine combinations
• Only most powerful engines get automatic ‘box

There are three diesel engines to choose from in the Renault Master range, with the brand kicking things off with a 130hp unit. This is then joined by a 150hp and 170hp version of the same 2.0-litre engine. Other countries get a 110hp version too, but this isn’t planned for the UK

This is largely because the 130hp makes so much sense for the majority of buyers, and it is expected to account for the majority of sales. It’s a smooth engine that feels more powerful than its rating suggests, with a good level of low-down push.

It doesn’t feel massively different to the electric version in terms of performance, but that is partly because the E-Tech takes a comparatively sedate approach to low-down speed.

We haven’t had a chance to try out the more powerful engines yet, but on paper they offer more for those who are looking to tow, carry heavy loads more regularly and those who are looking to create a heavy conversion. The reality is that the 130 model will be up to the task if your needs aren’t too out of the ordinary.

Simple behind the wheel

The Renault Master’s excellence comes through its simplicity. It won’t escape your notice when you are up close outside that this is a big van, but it does all it can to ensure that it doesn’t feel like it. The seating position is excellent, and the view out fantastic. This is aided in a large part by the huge windows, both out front and to the side. The front pillar between the door and the windscreen is not too wide either, while the door mirrors are large enough without being obstructive.

There is also the option to add a rear-view ‘mirror’ in the form of a digital display so you can see directly behind you even with a solid bulkhead and rear doors. This isn’t exactly the same as a mirror, as your eyes take a fraction longer to adjust to the changed perspective, but it is definitely preferable to not having one and needing to rely on the side mirrors.

That squared off front end makes the Master easy to park, too, as it is simpler to see the extremities of the van. This is handy as you only get rear parking sensors as standard and none at the front.

A light steering rack also aids with those parking manoeuvres, although it offers enough weighting up at higher speeds to allows the van to hold its line on the motorway without too much input. The brakes are one factor that might require a little mental adjustment though – they are a little on the sharp side, so you might find them feeling a bit grabby until you modulate your right foot accordingly.

• Modern layout and dash
• Some disappointing storage
• Old school handbrake

There are a couple of features in the Renault Master cabin that feel very out of place on the electric version but are a little more in keeping with an entry-level manual diesel model. That said, they are still somewhat retro.

They are a physical handbrake lever and a key you insert into an ignition and turn manually. Neither are that odd, just at odds with what is otherwise a modern and sophisticated cabin. The handbrake lever will be phased out by the end of 2025 on the automatic diesel (and the E-Tech) but there is no word on whether you will get the option to get in and press a button rather than fumbling for a key.

Those elements are very much a minor part of the interior, though, which is all geared towards the driver, with a slight S shape to the dashboard so you can see more of the information screens and are able to reach the various storage spots.

Large screen as standard

The Master comes with a 10-inch touchscreen on every version, with wireless smartphone connection included as standard. The only upgrade for the higher Extra trim is more Google integration, with voice control and navigation. Renault reckons that most big companies won’t necessarily want that level of kit, so it’s great that the most important stuff is all included on the basic model.

This screen is pretty standard, with some handy shortcut buttons down the side. They are integrated in the screen, though, so you might need to take your gloves off to use them. The great news is that you will be able to adjust the climate control with thick sheepskin mittens on, should you so wish, as they are controlled by a row of chunky dials lower down on the dash.

There is also a wide array of physical buttons on and around the steering wheel, with the volume controls behind the wheel on a dedicated stalk. Your phone also has its own spot, in the form of a little shelf down to the left of the gear lever. It’s handily located, but from a distraction perspective it would be better if it was tucked a little more out of sight.

It's a slight shame the the information cluster is not as modern as it is in the electric version - the diesel gets an old-fashioned display that is slightly trickier to read at a quick glance.

Storage could be better

I have one major gripe with the Master’s cabin, and it has nothing to do with retro-style control features. For years now, right-hand-drive Renaults have lost out when it comes to storage in the interior. Left-hand drive models get a clever sliding-drawer style glovebox that is both spacious and handily shaped.

However, this disappears when the steering wheel flips to the other side of the vehicle, as Renault doesn’t move the fuse box at the same time. The fuses remain on the left side of the cabin and take up a large chunk of space behind the dash. This means that we only get a tiny classic glovebox – you’ll not be able to get much more than a pair of actual gloves in there. Come on Renault, move those fuses.

The other storage features are all present and correct, with some handy lidded boxes on the top of the dash a set of highlights. The pockets in the door are not the biggest but still decent enough to take a bottle on either side.

• Excellent value for money
• Smaller fuel tank but decent economy
• Wide service intervals

So many of the great things that the Renault Master does would be irrelevant if it cost double what its predecessor did, but that is far from the case. In fact, Renault has kept the pricing pretty much the same as the previous model, which means it remains really competitive in its class.

As an example, it is close in pricing to the likes of the smaller Ford Transit Custom, and not a single one of the diesel models costs more than £40,000 at launch. And this is with a good level of standard equipment, making it fantastic value for money.

Renault Master mpg

The Renault Master’s fuel economy is decent, but doesn’t set new standards for the class, with the claimed official figure topping out at just over 37mpg.

Renault Master servicing

The Renault Master service intervals are handily far apart at 24 months or 24,000 miles.

Renault Master warranty

The warranty is one area that is a little disappointing on the Master as it is just three years or 100,000 miles. Rivals offer much longer cover, with the Toyota the current best in class with up to 10 years of cover for its vans.

Renault Master standard equipment

There are only two different trim levels for the Renault Master, the slightly confusingly named Advance being the entry level one – confusing as it doesn’t advance on from anything. This is then joined by the Extra trim. Highlights of both trims are as follows:

Renault Master Advance equipment highlights

• Automatic lights and wipers
• Heated and powered door mirrors
• Passenger bench seat with underseat storage
• Manual air conditioning
• Solid vertical bulkhead
• 0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Loading bay lighting

Renault Master Extra equipment highlights

• Google built in, with voice control and navigation
• Front fog lights with cornering function
• LED lighting in the load bay
• 12V plug in cabin area and on D-pillar

This version of the Renault Master is all new, but the engines are ones that have featured in various vehicles over the years. The old Master was never much of a feature in the list of the most reliable vans, but its smaller and younger sibling the Renault Trafic was a regular in there, which will give hope and reassurance.

• All safety kit comes as standard
• Some features not offered on the diesel

Renault is targeting a high safety score for the Master, although it had yet to be assessed at the time we first drove it in the UK. The level of kit suggests it should do well though.

• Driver and passenger airbags with passenger ‘bag cancellation
• Speed limiter and cruise control
• Active emergency braking
• Driver attention and drowsiness warning
• Rear parking sensors
• Lane keep assist
• Alarm

The electric version gets a few more features that the diesel misses out on. That means you only get a blind spot warning and pedestrian and cyclist collision warning systems only on the E-Tech.