Renault Master

The Master at a glance

Renault Master generations

Renault's mid-size van, the Trafic, sits below the Master and shares many of these partners; see our guide to the Renault Trafic.

Master I (1980–1997): Fiat-Sofim diesel and rear drive

The first Master was launched in September 1980 and built at the new SoVAB plant in Batilly. It was a conventional rear-wheel-drive van with a sliding side door. At launch it used a 2,445 cc Fiat-Sofim diesel, joined in 1984 by a 2,068 cc diesel and in 1990 by a 2,499 cc Sofim engine; rare petrol versions had 2.0 or 2.2 litres.

The heavier models with twin rear wheels were sold as the Renault B-series, B70 to B120, and renamed Messenger in 1993. The B70 diesel had 51 kW (70 PS) and the B80 petrol 59 kW (80 PS). The first Master stayed in production for 17 years.

Master II (1997–2010): van of the year and the alliance twins

The second generation arrived in November 1997 with front-wheel drive for the standard vans and a much more modern cab. It was named International Van of the Year 1998, and its Opel/Vauxhall Movano twin won the same title for 1999. From 2002–2003 a third badge appeared: the Nissan Interstar. The vans were built in Batilly and, for South America, in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil.

The engine list was long. It started with the 1.9-litre F9Q diesel of about 80 PS (59 kW). Above it sat Renault's G-type diesels of 2.2 and 2.5 litres, the Sofim 8140 of 2.5 and 2.8 litres, and Nissan's 2.5-litre YD and 3.0-litre ZD. Buyers could choose a five- or six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual gearbox. A facelift at the end of 2003 brought new headlamps, tail lamps, mirrors and dashboard, and Renault-badged vans got a new grille in 2007.

For the heaviest jobs Renault offered a rear-wheel-drive version, the Mascott (1999–2013), also sold as Master Propulsion, with a 3.0-litre diesel of 120 PS (88 kW) or 160 PS (118 kW). The Master II was also a favourite base for ambulances in Europe.

Master III (2010–2024): one van, four brands

The third Master appeared in the summer of 2010 and was the most widely shared. It was sold as the Renault Master, Renault Trucks Master, Opel/Vauxhall Movano (2010–2021), Nissan NV400 (2012–2022) and Nissan Interstar (2022–2024). For the first time Opel, Vauxhall and Nissan could also sell rear-wheel-drive versions.

All four brands used Renault's 2.3-litre M9T diesel with 100 to 150 PS (74 to 110 kW), a six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual. The range was huge: front- or rear-wheel drive, single or twin rear wheels, three lengths and three roof heights. Load volumes ran from 8 m³ for the low-roof van to 17 m³ for the longest high-roof model. Chassis cabs carried up to 2.5 tonnes, and some UK Movano versions were rated for 4,500 kg gross. A 4×4 version followed on 18 April 2016. Renault refreshed the grille in April 2014, and a bigger facelift came in September 2019 for the 2020 model year.

Master Z.E., the first electric Master

The electric Master Z.E. went on sale in 2018. It had a 33 kWh battery, a 57 kW (76 hp) motor with 225 Nm and a WLTP range of 120 km, charging at 7.4 kW on alternating current. In spring 2022 a 52 kWh battery raised the range to 190 km and added direct-current charging at up to 22 kW. In the same year Renault's joint venture Hyvia showed a production Master Van H2-Tech with a hydrogen fuel cell at the Paris Motor Show.

In Brazil the Master became a steady seller, from 1,308 vans in 2003 to a record 15,773 in 2025.

Master IV (from 2023): aerodynamic, electric and hydrogen-ready

The fourth Master was unveiled on 21 November 2023 at the Solutrans show near Lyon. Production began at Batilly late that year, with 216 vans built before January. Its sharply raked front and smoother body cut the drag coefficient by 20 % compared with the third generation. It was designed from the start for three energies: diesel, battery-electric and hydrogen. Nissan launched its own version, a new Interstar, in February 2024.

The 2.0-litre M9R diesels come with a six-speed manual or, for the two strongest versions, a nine-speed torque-converter automatic with the selector on the steering column. Renault quotes combined consumption of 7.4 to 8.4 l/100 km, on average 1.5 l/100 km less than the old 2.3, and 39 g/km less CO₂. The electric versions are limited to 120 km/h; the battery can also power tools on site.

By our calculation, the 87 kWh E-Tech uses about 19 kWh per 100 km on its official range (87 ÷ 460 × 100). The new Master was named International Van of the Year 2025 at the IAA Transportation show in September 2024, Renault's fifth win in that award.

Dimensions, payload and load space

By our count, moving from 3.5 to 4.0 tonnes gross adds about 500 kg of payload on both lengths. In many European countries, however, a 4.0-tonne van needs a heavier driving licence. If you need to check whether a high-roof van fits under a car-park barrier or into a workshop, our garage fit tool helps, and the comparison tool sets the Master against any rival.

Master IV against Master III and its rivals

By our count the new electric version more than doubles the best range of the old one (460 against 190 km). Its battery is only 67 % larger, so efficiency and aerodynamics explain much of the gain.

The main European rivals are the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Volkswagen Crafter and the Iveco Daily, all offered with diesel and electric drive. The Master's strengths are front-wheel drive with a low load floor on standard vans, the long-range electric version and the many badge twins, which help with parts and service.