Renault Vel Satis

When Renault launched the Vel Satis in March 2002 it hoped to tempt buyers away from more traditional executive saloons like BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar by offering the ultimate luxury: space. And at nearly 16ft long and more than 7ft wide, the Vel Satis is very large indeed.

While buyers may like space, it wasn’t enough to make this car a sales success. In less than three years production for the British market had ceased.

But the Vel Satis’s failure as a new car doesn’t condemn it as a used one. In fact the heavy depreciation makes second-hand prices very attractive, the tiny number sold makes it exclusive and the generous equipment lists make it luxurious. If you want a big, comfy motor that turns heads but won’t break the bank then a used Renault Vel Satis is worth a look.

There are four engines to choose from, two petrol and two diesel. The smallest 2 litre petrol unit is turbocharged to produce a respectable 165bhp, giving it a top speed of 131mph and a 0-60mph time of 9.6sec. The 3.5 litre V6 petrol cost a hefty £7,000 more than the 2 litre when new and with 240bhp on tap you’d expect some vivid performance, but it shaves barely a second off the 0-60mph time although it does lift the top speed by 16mph. Available only with a five-speed auto box, the V6 petrol isn’t as efficient either: expect around 24mpg compared with 30mpg from the 2 litre.

For most buyers it’s the diesel engines that appeal. The smallest 2.2 litre 150bhp unit comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and achieves nearly 40mpg. The larger 3 litre diesel produces just 30bhp more, which when combined with the standard five-speed auto gearbox makes it only marginally quicker but lops around 7mpg off the economy.

In terms of equipment you’ll find alloy wheels, climate control, trip computer and traction control as standard. Privilège models gain reversing sensors and multi-CD players, while top spec Initiale models get satellite navigation, cruise control and xenon headlamps.

With the number of cars sold being so low it’s not always easy to find exactly the model you want so the best advice is to settle on the engine you want first and then be flexible on trim level and colour.

On the road the Vel Satis is a better car to travel in than to drive. The steering is very light and lacks feedback, the suspension is firm and the driving sensation is more MPV than luxury saloon. However, for passengers the experience feels very different. They will bask in the huge amounts of leg, shoulder and headroom as well as great visibility. The large seats are supportive and if you can find a Vel Satis with the optional DVD screens it’s like being transported in an upmarket cinema.

The car also comes with a decent boot. At 460 litres it may be smaller than a Mercedes S-class’s but it is much larger than that of a VW Sharan or Citroën C8. You’ll also find that the insurance premiums are reasonable, thanks to its sophisticated anti-theft protection. And you should be reassured by the proliferation of airbags that helped it achieve a five-star Euro NCAP score for adult occupant safety.

With the bulk of the Vel Satis’s depreciation behind it, the big Renault’s future looks a little brighter. Find a current owner and they will almost certainly speak passionately about the car; find one for sale with a decent service history and you could be tempted to join the club yourself.

• Power steering: Standard on all models but very light and lacking feedback
• Boot: At 460 litres it is much larger than most MPVs’ but not on a par with luxury saloons such as a Mercedes S-class
• Safety: Five-star performer in the Euro NCAP adult passenger tests. All models come with six airbags, ABS and traction control
• Satellite navigation: Standard only on the Initiale. Although not the best system on the market it is worth having and adds around £350 to a used car’s value
• Engine: The 2.2 dCi unit combines power with economy; the 3 litre diesel has proven to be very durable but is less impressive in terms of economy
• Automatic transmission: A five-speed auto is standard on the V6 petrol and 3 litre diesel models but it lacks the smoothness of change expected of a luxury saloon
• Dashboard: High quality materials and satisfyingly robust switchgear convey quality, but check all electrical items function correctly
• Service history: Most new cars were sold to company fleets so expect a full service history with invoices

• A 2004 04 registration Renault Vel Satis 2.2 dCi Privilège
  20,000 miles on the clock
  Pay £10,850 at a dealer or £9,795 privately
  

 © Jason Dawe Productions Limited February 2006