By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Is the improved version of Renaut's MK3 Master van the most complete large used LCV proposition the market can offer from the 2019-2024 period? Renault thinks so. Some rivals claim greater sophistication, but this Master delivers much of what they offer at a significantly lower price. As usual with this model, there's a vast range of capacity options to choose from and this smarter looking MK3 Master really upped its game in terms of efficiency, safety, infotainment and technology. If you're a business browsing in this segment, it's a real contender.

Models

Large-sized van (2.3 CDTi diesel / EV)

History

Everything about Renault's largest van, the Master, is big - including the sales it stacks up in Europe. In our market, it doesn't tend to be the first large van that business buyers consider. Renault thinks it should be and substantially revised the MK3 version of this LCV in 2019 to create the model we're going to look at here, which sold until early 2024. The Master has been around in one guise or another since 1980, with that first generation model lasting for 17 years. Its 1997 replacement stuck around for a mere 13 years until the third generation Master first appeared in 2010, continuing to share its design and all its engineering with two key segment competitors, Vauxhall's Movano and the Nissan NV400. All three of these LCVs were substantially upgraded in 2019, but this Master's visual facelift was much wider-reading. More important still were the changes made inside - the cab was significantly redesigned. And there were key differences beneath the bonnet, where the twin turbo 2.3-litre diesel engine got more power and greater efficiency. Plus this model could by now be ordered in full-electric Z.E. form too. That Z.E Master variant was updated in 2020, given a bigger battery with a longer driving range and renamed the Master E-Tech. As before, packing up a Master is no small task, given loading capacities of anywhere between 8 and 18m3 in standard van models. And that torquey 2.3-litre dCi engine can haul big weights too - up to 4.5-tonnes, if you're really piling on the pounds. Could a used version of this big French LCV contender be for you? Let's find out.

What You Get

If we were to tell you that this was a completely new fourth generation version of this Master, you'd probably believe us. The visual changes made to the front end as part of this updated MK3 model's 2019 facelift certainly suggested that. Renault needed here to bring the visual identity of this model more into line with smaller vans in its LCV line-up. The key visual change with the 2019 update lay with a freshly designed handlebar-shaped front grille, which gained chrome highlights with the pricier 'Business+' trim package. It's flanked by re-styled headlights featuring the C-shaped LED light design that by 2019 was a Renault commercial vehicle signature. The brand hoped that the contrast between the vertical lines of the grille and the horizontal emphasis of the more upright bonnet and re-profiled front wings would give this revised model a stronger and more powerful look. But practicality wasn't forgotten and to that end, the steps in each corner of the bumper were retained so that when necessary, it could be easier to step up and clean the windscreen. The cab delivers the kind of satisfyingly commanding view of the road ahead that you'd want from a large segment LCV of this type. In some areas, even by 2019, this Renault's cabin design was starting to feel its age (the fact that there's no steering wheel reach-adjustment for instance), but efforts were made with this revised model to try bring things a little more up to date wherever possible. There was a smarter steering wheel and a revised instrument binnacle but perhaps the key change was the addition of a ''MediaNav Evolution' infotainment system with a 7-inch centre-dash screen. Along with GPS mapping, this delivers the smartphone-mirroring functionality you'd want if you were planning to use your Master as a mobile office. The optional desk top that folds out of the middle seat backrest will help if that's the case. It's a three-seater cab of course, which in this case sees plenty of centre-space width but rather restricted knee room thanks to a central storage area, one of no fewer than 22 separate compartments provided around the cab for stowage of your odds and ends. The biggest of these is an optional compartment that, where fitted, resides beneath the two passenger seat bases. Right, let's look at the practicalities of running this Master. Operators will be choosing between four body lengths - L1, the L2 model, L3 and L4: and three roof heights - H1, the H2 variant and H3. That means a wide range of cargo capacity choices - anything from 8 cu.m and 2,583mm of load space length in the base L1 H1 variant, right up to 17.0 cu.m and 4,330mm of load space length in the very biggest L4 H3 model, which can swallow up to four euro pallets. With the volume mid-range L3 H2 body shape, there's a 12.3 cu.m cargo capacity and 3,083mm of floor length. Interior cargo bay roof height varies between 1,700 and 2,144mm, depending on the roof option you've selected and whether you've gone for front or rear wheel drive. All models feature a load area width of 1,765mm - which on single rear wheel models narrows to 1,380mm between the wheel arches. There are four 'GVW' Gross Vehicle Weight options offered to Master operators - 2.8, 3.3, 3.5 or 4.5 tonnes. And the possible payloads can be as much as 2,167kgs but of course that again will vary according to your choice of variant. A typical L3 H2 model can take up to 1,384kgs. As for running costs, well updates to this model's 2.3-litre dCi biturbo diesel engine made a big difference to running costs. The 150PS version of this unit was 17% more frugal (the WLTP combined cycle fuel reading is up to 47.9mpg); and around 13% cleaner (the NEDC-rated CO2 reading is 156g/km). With, say, a L3 H3 150PS Master model, Renault reckons this would save an operator £303 over a four year / 80,000 mile operating period. And further savings would be accrued through the fact that with this revised model, servicing intervals were extended to every 25,000 - or every two years, whichever comes first. Plus of course it'll count greatly in this Master's favour that the French brand has such a wide van-specialist dealer network.

What You Pay

Please contact us for an exact up-to-date valuation.

What to Look For

These vans are pretty tough, but there are a few things you'll need to look out for. It's the usual advice with large vans to buy on condition rather than year and look for a vehicle that has tended to have performed lightweight delivery duties rather than consistently butting up against its payload limits. We've heard reports of gearbox faults: listen hard for whining noises on your test drive. There've been a few issues with the electrics, so make sure that all the connectivity works properly - Bluetooth-linking and so on. Check for load bay scuffs and scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a Master 2.3 dCi 163hp - 2019) Air filters are around £23-£41. Oil filters are around £8-£22. A fuel filter is around £30. Front brake pads are around £39-£54; rears are about £28-£50. Front brake discs cost in the £98-£150 bracket. Rear brake discs are typically in the £83-£138 bracket. Wiper blades are around £12-£16. Headlamps sit in the £197 bracket. A tail lamp sits in the £155 bracket.

On the Road

The engine range still used the same 2.3-litre dCi ENERGY diesel engine as part of this mid-term update, but for this enhanced model, this long-running powerplant featured quite a few improvements for front-driven variants. There are three different power outputs, rated at 135, 150 and 180PS and the most powerful variant was available with the option of the brand's semi-auto manual automated 'Quickshift6' 6-speed clutch-less transmission. Every version of this Euro 6d-TEMP engine is a biturbo unit and all variants of it featured a new cylinder head, a new cylinder block, an improved variable turbo with an integrated exhaust manifold and, as standard, all ENERGY-spec powerplants got the brand's stop start system. As a result, efficiency was usefully improved. Rear-driven variants didn't do quite as well, partly because they continued with the older 'Heavy-duty homologated' version of this 2.3-litre powerplant, which offered 130 or 145PS outputs. Rear-driven versions do of course tow better (up to 3.5-tonnes if correctly specified) and they offer more traction. Mind you, all Masters work surprisingly well in low grip conditions, thanks to the inclusion of a clever 'Grip Xtend' feature built into the ESC stability control system. On the move in this Renault, you'll find that other competitors from the 2019-2024 period are quieter at speed but engine noise is kept in check by a dual mass flywheel and a crankshaft with eight counterweights help to cut vibration. The 100%-electric battery-powered Zero Emissions 'Z.E' version doesn't of course have any refinement issues at all. In its 2019-2020-era Z.E. form, it used a 33kWh lithium-ion battery that when fully charged, had a WLTP-rated driving range restricted to just 75 miles - and that falls to only 50 miles in Winter. That Z.E Master variant was updated in 2020, given a bigger 52kWh battery with a longer 126 mile driving range and renamed the Master E-Tech. All versions of this LCV feel very planted on the highway and with all variants of this updated model, there was the peace of mind of extra camera-driven safety kit - though most of it was optional: things like autonomous braking, Blind spot alert and Lane departure warning. In town, the smooth ride can get unsettled by poorer surfaces but this Master feels admirably easy to manoeuvre for such a large vehicle, aided by light steering, a relatively tight turning circle and nice touches like the wide-angle mirror fitted to the inside of the passenger sun visor that allows the driver to see if anything - or anyone (a cyclist for instance) - is in the vehicle's nearside blind spot.

Overall

The market's largest vans, LCVs like this one, are more significant than you might think. If, increasingly, goods can be carried in efficient, eco-friendly vehicles like this rather than in smoky lorries, then everyone will benefit. Few large van rivals from the 2019 to 2024 period offer quite such a practical alternative for goods transit as this Renault Master and those that do struggle to match this French model's value pricing, sensible convenience features and low running costs. True, build quality could be a little tougher and a few of the options made standard but that apart, this is a remarkably complete package. Which if you've packages of your own, could make a remarkably astute choice.