Renault Master Van FWD LM35 Blue dCi 150 Ad ce

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.

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.