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Renault Vel Satis

Executive luxury has never come as cheap as this. Thanks to Renault, you can get your hands on a BMW 5-Series rival for £13,000. The French firm's unloved Vel Satis may not be the most obvious choice for businessmen on the move, but there are benefits.

June 2004

Executive luxury has never come as cheap as this. Thanks to Renault, you can get your hands on a BMW 5-Series rival for ΂£13,000. The French firm's unloved Vel Satis may not be the most obvious choice for businessmen on the move, but there are benefits.
Firstly, it looks like no other competitor - and secondly, rampant depreciation ensures early examples cost less than a brand new family car. As well as that unique styling, what makes the Renault desirable is its luxurious, lavish cabin. Standard equipment levels are equally impressive, while there is indulgent space for five.
Ignore petrol models unless they're cheap and go for a diesel. The 2.2 dCi is fine and will return 40mpg. But the 3.0-litre V6 dCi is a stunner, providing speed, economy and refinement. Look out for electrical niggles, and be ready to hunt as used examples are rare.
Checklist

* Interior: numerous faults can arise here, so check the climate and cruise control systems. Also, examine electric windows, auto wipers, switches and instrument panels.

* Engines: fuel injection sensors can fail on 2.2-litre dCi. ECU and electronic parking brake faults are common - as is keycard start trouble, but a 'spare' is hidden in the card.

* Gearboxes: diesels' clutches wear fast and gearshifts stiffen - new boxes are often needed on the mechanically identical Laguna. V6 models available with reliable auto only.

* Bodywork: investigate bumpers for parking damage as the Vel Satis is large and scrapes are common. Lack of model identification makes it difficult to decipher trim levels.

* Tyres: most regular fault concerns tyre pressure sensor display in the dashboard. Spurious messages are very frequent, and punctures sometimes demand a new sensor, costing ΂£75, including fitting.
Driving Impressions
THIS is a tall car with soft suspension, and certainly isn't built for twisty roads. The Vel Satis is capable enough, but its natural environment is straight tarmac - the bumpier the better if you want to be impressed by its smooth ride.
The controls are light and easy, too, and the diesel engines provide effortless motoring. While the 2.0-litre petrol is a little gruff, the 3.5 V6 is fun, albeit thirsty. Enormous front seats adjust in every direction, with the backrest splitting for optimum comfort. But the car's biggest strength is its refinement.
Glass's View
Despite its distinctive styling, new and used car buyers have failed to identify with the Vel Satis. It competes in a sector of the market that's been diminishing steadily for a number of years, and as a result it has sold in very small numbers. Its limited availability has done little to keep values firm, either. However, rapid depreciation means good news for the used car customer who is looking for excellent value for money. The diesel versions make the most sense. Jeff Paterson, senior editor, Glass's Guide
Life With A Vel Satis
The Vel Satis is a proper French car. It's an expression of style over sensibility, and one which I am proud to drive. I'll have to keep it a long time, though, as otherwise I'll lose too much money when I come to sell." Henri De Maupin, Lewes, East Sussex
I'm glad my Vel Satis is a company car, so I avoid the depreciation hit. It attracted me because it was different, but it hasn't been very reliable. Martin Gurney, Bolton, Lancashire

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Renault's flagship is very big and very clever, but is it a step too far? The firm's ambitious move into the luxury market with the Vel Satis has certainly raised eyebrows. Pitching it into 5-Series territory is a bold act - particularly when you consider the Renault's premium price and the excellence of the German offerings in this sector. But if the comfortable cabin, luxurious trim and smooth engines are anything to go by, the Vel Satis deserves every chance it can get.

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1 Comment

Review from Vel Satis owner, Northern England

What people often say about luxury French cars is true! As soon as I saw a pristine condition Vel Satis for sale on Autotrader and went to inspect it, I was smitten! For a start, it’s absolutely huge, very luxurious and cossetting with large captain’s chairs in the front and cricket-pitch size legroom in the back, and they are as rare on Britain’s roads as hens’ proverbial teeth.

Brushing aside the controversial-yet-lovable quirky looks for the moment, the 3 litre V6 Isuzu-sourced diesel engine pulls this heavy, tall car quite zestfully if desired. But if you’d rather pootle along gently, the Toyota-based 5 speed automatic gearbox (complete with a tiptronic-style lever, I might add!) proves to be pretty smooth for the majority of the time, aside from an occasional lurch when setting off.

A Vel Satis in this guise can be driven quite fast whilst retaining a feeling of safety and solidity, and the car is especially suited to motorway driving. Alas, B-roads are quite a different story, as the car’s firm suspension results in a rather wallowy cornering experience and the car crashes over potholes and speed bumps.

The electrically-adjustable, heated seats, the very good Carminat sat nav system with its colour display, the voice synthesiser which tells you if something’s wrong, the 6-speed CD changer, cruise control, the huge boot and the Vel Satis’ other features at this Initiale trim spec level are features you easily get used to. As is the whole Vel Satis experience in general. Sure, the tyres for the 18” wheels are expensive, parts are hard to source and running costs are quite high, but if you want a car that you can fall in love with and own in the knowledge that you’re one of a rare few, then this is the car for you.

And does all this come at a high purchase price? Erm, no – used Vel Satis prices average at £3,500 for examples with reasonable miles on the clock. If you love cars and you’re committed to one in the long-haul, then go on, grab yourself a used Vel Satis! http://www.vel-satis.org

By RenaultVelSatis on 11 January, 2011, 7:50pm

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VERDICT

    Renault's flagship is very big and very clever, but is it a step too far? The firm's ambitious move into the luxury market with the Vel Satis has certainly raised eyebrows. Pitching it into 5-Series territory is a bold act - particularly when you consider the Renault's premium price and the excellence of the German offerings in this sector. But if the comfortable cabin, luxurious trim and smooth engines are anything to go by, the Vel Satis deserves every chance it can get.
 

OTHER EXPENSES

Depreciation:2
Running costs (ppm):N/A
Insurance groups:13-16

HISTORY

    2002: Vel Satis launched with 165bhp 2.0-litre turbo or 245bhp 3.5 V6 petrol engines, plus 150bhp 2.2-litre dCi and 180bhp 3.0 V6 dCi diesels. Choice of Expression, Privil
 
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