The Renault Espace IV (Phase IV, 2012): A European Minivan’s Enduring Appeal
The Renault Espace IV (Phase IV, 2012) represents a late-stage iteration of a true pioneer in the European multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment. Launched in 2012 as the final facelift for the fourth-generation Espace, which originally debuted in 2002, this model continued Renault’s legacy of innovative family transportation. While never officially sold in the United States, the Espace holds a significant place in automotive history across the Atlantic, particularly in Europe, where it essentially invented the segment in 1984. The 2012 Phase IV model, specifically with the 2.0 dCi (173 Hp) Automatic powertrain, was designed to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market, offering a blend of space, comfort, and efficiency that had defined the Espace nameplate for decades.
Positioned as a premium, full-size minivan, the E
