Review: Renault Master 2016

Renault Master L2H2
2016 Large Van Comparison Test

Renault dominates the European van scene and that prowess is evident in its latest Master.

Simply,
it does everything well, while there are any number of thoughtful and
practical features scattered throughout the vehicle.

Introduced to
the Australian market at the start of last year, manual models like the
one on test here were updated with a more powerful Energy dCi165
engine. A four-cylinder turbo-diesel with a twin-turbo setup, its
120kW/360Nm gives it an extra 10kW/10Nm compared with the previous
dCi150, which remains as the sole powerplant when paired with an
automated-manual transmission (AMT).

Other changes included the
adoption of an idle-stop feature as standard on manual models and an
upgraded stability control program, now with a hill-hold feature,
trailer-sway control and Grip Xtend – an enhanced traction control for
use on soft ground.

The Master's door opens wide to reveal a very
tastefully finished cabin. There's a generous step to aid entry but
surprisingly no grab handle, while the usual expanse of cabin plastics
are softened by the two-tone design and plenty of flowing, rounded and
rather organic mouldings. The general fit and finish of the plastics is
impressive – it's a cut above what you might expect in the commercial
arena.

In general it's a pleasant place to be, with any number of
storage compartments and trays to store all manner of items both large
and small. There are cupholders and bottleholders right where you need
them and the centre seat back folds forward to reveal a large flat
workspace that can be angled towards driver or passenger. It has yet
another storage tray and two more cupholders.

The
tough rubber flooring feels cushioned underfoot, while the standard
steel bulkhead with window has three coat hooks. The driver's seat has
two-tone cloth upholstery and comes with lumbar support and an armrest –
an optional suspension seat is also available.

The
air-conditioning controls are large, easy to use and easy to get to, as
are all the controls in general – it doesn't take long at all to feel
familiar with all the features on offer. Standard inclusions run to a
cruise control and speed limiter, gear-change indicator, radio with
CD/MP3 and audio streaming, a chilled glove box and reverse parking
sensors.

Vision from behind the wheel is excellent, with skinny
A-pillars, large mirrors and windows and a good view to the front
courtesy of the sloping bonnet. The bulkhead window is large too,
although the headrest of the centre seat does obscure the view to the
rear (in any case, unless a third passenger is present the centre seat
will be folded forward to give access to that workstation and storage).

We
like the large central analogue speedo, even if the numbers favour
common European speed limits (30km/h, 50km/h etc.), and the shift
indicator is easy to read in the central digital display.

With
the bulkhead in place the cab is remarkably quiet – the Master is only
outdone by the Ford Transit in this respect – and the engine note is
really quite subdued, with a hint of a whistle from the turbo lending it
a little bit of character.

We had no complaints about the
Master's performance, either. It was bettered only by the Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter in our performance testing, the runs hampered by changeable
weather conditions as they were, and in the lower gears it powers away
from idle to just shy of 4000rpm.

The manual gearbox is a standout
– the Master shifts smoothly and cleanly through its ratios, aided by a
light clutch with a quick take-up. It was the nicest manual gearbox on
test, just ahead of the 'box in the Ford Transit.

The ride isn't
quite as refined at the Transit or Sprinter but it's equally as good as
anything else in this company, loaded or empty. Like the Transit, the
Master is nicely balanced through the bends and displays only a minimal
amount of body roll, while it's anything but harsh over speed humps
after which it regains its composure quickly.

As
a front-drive van the Master's turning circle is getting up there but
it's far from outlandishly large, while it's 3.75 turns lock to lock at
the wheel. The steering wheel itself is adjustable for tilt but not
reach; and features large buttons for the cruise control with a separate
pod behind it for Bluetooth telephony.

The load bay is accessed
by a side sliding door and two 50:50 barn doors at the rear. It's the
usual bare painted steel affair but the steel glazed bulkhead is
standard, as is mid-height internal wall protection.

The tie-down
anchor points are small but you do get 10 of them, and the rear doors
open to 270 degrees. Importantly, the Master had the lowest load floor
height of the bunch – 510mm – while it also had the second-biggest
measurement between its wheelarches (1380mm). There were no grab handles
either at the side or rear.

Renault credits this L2H2 Master with
a 1583kg maximum payload capacity. That's bettered here only by the
Daily, while the French vehicle's 2500kg braked towing limit falls
toward the lighter end of the scale.

On the safety front, the
Master makes do with just two airbags – well behind the Transit's six –
and side and curtain airbags aren't available even as an option. It
does, however, benefit from the aforementioned updated stability control
program.

The Master triumphed when it came to fuel economy,
sipping just 8.7L/100km over the duration of the test. That's 0.6L
better than the next best model, the Sprinter.

Renault
makes plenty of noise about its aftersales backup and in this respect
it stacks up well. The company offers a three-year/200,000km factory
warranty that can be extended by one or two years. The warranty period
include roadside assistance, while service intervals are pegged at 12
months/30,000km.

Last year saw Renault roll out its Pro+ network
of dealers with LCV specialists – people who know the brand's commercial
vehicles inside out, and who can work with customers to fit their van
out to meet their specific needs.

Taking its fuel economy,
performance, easy driving nature and long list of pragmatic standard
inclusions into account, and its competitive purchase price, and
Renault's Master stacks up well on just about every front.

It
blends load-lugging ability with a high degree of comfort and all-round
capability – if the lack of a traditional auto isn't a deal breaker,
this is one van that's more than the sum of its parts.

Related reading:
>> Large Van 2016 Comparison: Introduction
>> Ford Transit (from $47,680 plus ORCs)
>> Fiat Ducato (from $44,000 plus ORCs)
>> Iveco Daily (from $49,501 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (from $44,490 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Crafter (from $41,990 plus ORCs)
>> Large Van Comparison - The Verdict

2016 Renault Master L2H2 pricing and specifications:
Price: $45,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/360Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drive: Front
GVM: 3510kg
Wheelbase: 3682mm
Payload: 1583kg
Load space: 10.8 cubic metres
Towing (braked): 2500kg
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (as tested)