The Renault Grand Espace is a long wheelbase (LWB) version with increased rear leg room and boot size.

PSA decided the Espace was too expensive and too risky a design to put into production, preferring to focus on nursing Talbot back to financial health.

The design ended up using the longitudinal layout, which allowed for more flexibility in engine fitment and also made developing a four-wheel-drive version easier.

[10] The design featured a body of fibreglass, mounted on a warm-galvanised steel monocoque spaceframe, using the same technique and assembly line at the factory as the Talbot Matra Murena.

[9] In 1984, American Motors Corporation (AMC) announced it would begin to market the front wheel drive Espace in the United States.

[13][14] The minivan was exhibited to consumers at the 1985 Chicago Auto Show, but AMC's negotiations with Matra continued over the vehicle's import pricing.

[16] Building upon its success, the Espace was revamped in 1988, with most of the remaining Talbot/Simca content being replaced by equivalent Renault parts.

[17] Brazilian Ford Concessionaire Grancar, in cooperation with Toni Bianco, developed a faithful copy of the original Espace in Brazil in 1990.

Called the Grancar Futura, it was powered by four-cylinder engines (AP1800/AP2000) from Ford/Volkswagen's local lineup, while using the dashboard from the Ford Del Rey and the Escort's fuel tank.

[18] A heavily revised Espace was launched in January 1991, adopting the Renault family look, to replace the Talbot themed styling of the original.

In 1995 a version of the turbodiesel with a variable vane turbocharger was added to the lineup; thanks to this, power increased from 88 to 92 PS (65 to 68 kW).

The most notable feature of the Espace III was the radically futuristic interior (including an elongated and centrally mounted dashboard, digital speedometer and radio/CD display).

During 2001, Matra and MG Rover discussed a possible deal to build reskinned Espaces, as well as market them.

The fourth generation Espace arrived in November 2002, being the first entirely Renault developed and produced model.

[32] In October 2010, a slight redesign was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show (Phase III), with minor cosmetic changes, LED lights and improved equipment.

[33] In 2002, Renault goals were to deliver 450,000 units of the Espace IV before 2009, which would account for 20% of the European market for an MPV.

On 22 June 2012, Renault announced a restyling of the Espace (Phase IV), the second important after 2006,[34][35][36] incorporating the "family feeling" design concept of Laurens van den Acker.

The Renault Espace IV has received decent to good reviews from motoring journalists and is often cited as one of the best vehicles in the large MPV class.

[4] The Renault Espace has radar adaptive cruise control as an option, and active emergency braking.

[45] It is offered with the latest version of Renault's R Link 2 information system (voice control, navigation, Bluetooth and radio), engine stop start, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning and road sign recognition with speed limit alerts, 360 degree sensors, reversing camera and a hands free parking system.

The lower powered diesel was discontinued in January 2022 and currently the Espace is only offered with the Blue dCi 190 EDC engine with 189 PS (139 kW).

[48] The fifth-generation Espace was preceded by the Initiale Paris concept car, which is similar to the production version.

[57] Unveiled on 28 March 2023, the sixth-generation Espace is heavily based on the Austral, sharing most of the body panels including the front end and the interior.