Mercedes-Benz V-Class W447 vs Renault Espace MK5

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

W447 · 2014 – 2026

The current V-Class (W447), on the rear-wheel-drive W447 platform.

Renault Espace

MK5 · 2015 – 2023

The fifth Espace (MK5), a large MPV on the CMF-CD platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Pick the V-Class for a roomy, comfortable premium people carrier with flexible seating and strong diesels.

Best engine: The V 250 d (190 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Renault Espace

Pick the Espace for a very roomy, comfortable seven-seat MPV with strong engines.

Best engine: The 1.8 TCe (petrol) or 2.0 Blue dCi (diesel).

Read the full guide

Performance

V 250 d · Diesel vs 1.8 TCe 225 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz V-Class	Renault Espace
Power	190 hp	225 hp Winner
Torque	440 Nm Winner	300 Nm
0–100 km/h	9,9 s	7,6 s Winner
Top speed	206 km/h	224 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	89,2 hp/t	136,4 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	161 g/km	150 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,1 L/100km Winner	6,5 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz V-Class	Renault Espace
Boot	610 L	680 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.410 L	2.100 L Winner
Wheelbase	3,20 m Winner	2,88 m
Length	5,14 m	4,86 m
Ground clearance	15,0 cm	—
Turning circle	11,8 m	11,1 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.500 kg Winner	1.850 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz V-Class	Renault Espace
Platform	W447 (rear-wheel-drive base)	CMF-CD
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	OM651/OM654 2.0/2.1 diesel · M274/M264 2.0 petrol	1.6 TCe · 1.8 TCe · 1.6 dCi · 2.0 Blue dCi
Transmission	9G-TRONIC automatic	EDC7 automatic
Fuel	Diesel	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6d
LEZ access	⚠️ Banned from Antwerp & Ghent from January 1, 2026	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

OM651 chain campaigns (early examples)
9G-TRONIC fluid service
Sliding door / tailgate mechanism

Renault Espace

EDC automatic: juddery at low speed
Electronics and infotainment: glitches
AdBlue/DPF on short-trip use (diesel)

Pros

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Facelift (2019) brought refined OM654 engines and 9G-TRONIC
4MATIC all-wheel drive on most diesels
Marco Polo camper variant on the same base

Renault Espace

Very roomy seven-seat cabin
Comfortable, composed ride
Strong 1.8 TCe and 2.0 Blue dCi

Cons

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Compact variant (610 l) limited with 8 seats
High purchase and running costs (premium)

Renault Espace

Large and less agile
Diesel: AdBlue/DPF on short trips

Driving experience

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Big, comfortable and van-like by design. The V-Class steers lightly with little feedback, rides smoothly enough for its size, and feels tall and commanding from behind the wheel, with a huge glasshouse and good visibility. Rear-drive is standard and 4MATIC adds traction, but this is a people carrier, not a car to hurry. The V 250d and V 300d diesels pull strongly and stay reasonably hushed, and the 9G-Tronic shifts unobtrusively. It is built to carry up to eight in comfort over long distances, and it does exactly that.

Renault Espace

Comfortable and composed for a large family vehicle, with a focus on long-distance refinement. Ride quality is absorbent, though some early examples felt soft in body control. Steering is light and accurate enough for the size. Optional 4Control four-wheel steering improves low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability. Diesels are refined and strong for motorway use, while petrol engines offer more responsive acceleration. EDC dual-clutch automatics are smooth once warm but can show low-speed hesitation or judder when cold.