Faults:

- Driver's side window mechanism broken, repair kit cost 10 € on eBay.

- Exhaust heat shields corroded and rattling, fixed with new washers and bits of old licence plates.

- Front springs broken, 80€ on eBay, but quite a job replacing them. Stabilizer links replaced with the springs.

- Fabric lining of A-pillar and other small trim pieces coming loose.

- Rear brake sqealing when reversing.

- Occasional, ESP and park brake errors, go away after ignition reset. For now.

General Comments:

Needed a car to replace a rusty Toyota Previa that is able to carry a family of 7 comfortably and economically, and the Espace has not yet disappointed.

Engine:

The Nissan designed 2.0 dci 173ps is excellent! While not the quietest around town, it is cultivated on the highway, pulls well and has been reliable. Steer well away from the older 1.9, 2.2 and 3.0 diesels, they are cheap for a reason. Fuel consumption on my commute averages 8.5 l/100 km. At highway speeds, fully laden and with a roof box, 7.5 l/100 km. Sounds boring but that is what a family car needs.

Suspension and ride:

Unlike its modern German, Italian and French rivals, the vehicle is based on the Laguna, and not on a commercial van. Consequently, it rides like a big, soft limousine. And also reportedly tends to eat up its front suspension. Mine rolls on stock 245/45/18 tires and feels planted even at 200 km/h. Corners must be taken leisurely, though, and bigger bumps have caused the suspension to bottom out.

Interior:

Why I bought it. 7 big, comfy, black leather seats, five of them with Isofix. The ones in the back can be thus arranged, so the second and third rows face each other, allowing their child occupants to share food, drinks, laughs, screams and kicks. A drawback of this arrangement is getting in and out of the back is a challenge. In Initiale trim, the car comes with 3-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, xenon headlights, glass roof, split rear hatch, CD-changer, heated electric seats, SatNav, and, and, and.... The Grand is 20 cm longer than the standard Espace, so there is also space in the boot for a stroller and some bags or two large suitcases. Another overlooked feature are the roof rails. A bit finnicky to adjust, but practical and very quiet, compared to some after-market rails.