A MORE COMMANDING MASTER (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 91

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.

Modelsword count: 7

Large-sized van (2.3 CDTi diesel / EV)

Historyword count: 274

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 Getword count: 719

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.

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