Item: Used Renault Vel Satis 2002 - 2005
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.</p>

<p dir="ltr">From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.</p>

<p dir="ltr">To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.</p>

<p>With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.</p>


RENAULT

VEL SATIS

<p>The Renault Vel Satis is a quirky, well specified French executive car with plenty to recommend it</p>


Used Renault Vel Satis 2002 - 2005

<p>The Vel Satis is extremely cheap to buy. So few were sold new in the UK - just 1400 in three years - that there's little reliable information for dealers to base a valuation on. They'll just want to shift them, and that means bargains for used buyers. Get a decent price for a good example, and it should be a lot of car for the money.</p>

<p>Fuel economy goes from the poor (24.6mpg for the 3.5 V6 petrol) to the very acceptable (our favourite, the 2.2 diesel, returns 39.8mpg).</p>

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The Renault Vel Satis is a quirky, well specified French executive car with plenty to recommend it

<p>The petrol line-up consists of the 165bhp 2.0-litre and the 245bhp 3.5-litre V6, while diesel choices are the 150bhp 2.2-litre or the 180bhp 3.0-litre V6.</p>

<p>Launched on an 02 plate, all cars come with the usual executive features, including climate control and alloy wheels. There's also ESP, anti-lock brakes, twin front and side airbags, plus a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.</p>

<p>Our pick is the 2.2-litre diesel. It has just enough under the bonnet to gain speed smoothly, but there's no trace of the torque steer that affects the more powerful models. It was the UK best seller in the three years the Vel Satis was available to buy new, which means there's more chance finding one second-hand, and it's got the best fuel economy.</p>

<p>Trim levels are Expression, Privilege and Initiale, although the latter was only available on the V6s. Go for Privilege if you can find one.</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

<p>Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.</p>

<p>The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.</p>

<p>And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.</p>

Executive

<p>Reliability data on the Vel Satis is hard to come by for the same reason that it's hard to set its residual values - not enough were sold in the first place - but it's worth noting that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> rarely does very well in customer satisfaction surveys.</p>

<p>There haven't been any Vel Satis recalls, and we've heard nothing from owners about major glitches or faults.</p>

<p>Many cars were leased out to fleet users, so beware of purchasing a high-miler where the service schedule has not been kept to religiously.</p>

<p>Make sure someone locally - be it a main dealer or independent garage - can service the car properly for you. So few were sold that it's possible not every franchised workshop will still be geared up to give them the regular maintenance they will need.</p>

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<p>Following in the long and proud tradition of large French saloons that nobody in Britain buys new, here's another. The Renault Vel Satis is a five-door executive car with lots of standard kit and Renault's reputation for excellent safety.</p>

<p>The Vel Satis is a great motorway cruiser with impressively little wind and engine noise at the national limit. However, it's not so great if you attack the corners, and on uneven surfaces the soft, generally smooth ride gets choppy.</p>

<p>It's very comfortable behind the wheel: thanks to firm seats wuith plenty of adjustment, the Vel Satis provides an ache-free drive. However, the interior is let down by the layout of the controls, and by irritatingly small audio buttons.</p>

<p>Space is another of the car's strong points. There's good room for three in the back, although headroom is a little tight, and a large hatchback boot allows luggage to extend into the cabin if required.</p>

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Used Renault Vel Satis 2002 - 2005 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Renault VEL Satis hatchback?