THE Renault Espace is playing in a very hard game these days.

It was the first European MPV and, for a long time, had no competitor - it took Ford 10 long years to catch up with the French maker.

But, these days, the market is more crowded and, with the second generation Ford Galaxy just launched, there's much hotter competition facing the French product.

But there are still some things about the Espace that make it stand out. You can, for instance, have it in two lengths, as either the Espace or Grand Espace, and it also still feels very luxurious.

Renault recently breathed fresh life into the model with a new two-litre turbodiesel engine pumping out 175bhp - not at all bad for an engine of this size.

So, to revisit the Espace for the umpteenth time in its 22-year history, I opted for the longer length car with the latest diesel and recently introduced Initiale trim. It turned out to be a good move, although the price is a little frightening at £33,275.

This new engine is, says Renault, the most powerful diesel of its size on the market and helps give the Espace range an upmarket feel.

Spec check Renault Grande Espace Initiale 2.0 dCi 175
Price: £33,275
0-62mph: 9.8secs
Max speed: 126mph
Engine size: 1,995cc
Max power: 175bhp
Insurance group: 14
Features: Seven-seats, Bluetooth Nav Com System, front and rear parking sensors, climate control with driver/ passenger controls, bi-xenon headlamps, full leather upholstery

While its competitors chase mass sales, you get the feeling that Renault is quite happy appealing to those who want just that little bit extra.

That said, Renault sold 48,877 Espaces in Europe last year, to take an 18.5 per cent share of the top MPV market. That's quite some achievement when you consider just how much choice buyers have.

There's no doubt that driving an Espace still feels a little bit special. Its driving position has you set well back from the base of the windscreen, with the fascia also set well forward. As a result, you don't quite feel you are sitting in the front even when you are in the driving seat and, as the car turns, it feels as if it is pivoting about you.

When you first drive an Espace, this feeling can be a little unnerving and the car's size intimidating. It's something you have to persevere with but the reward is worth it.

The latest Ford Galaxy has rear seats that don't come out. You just flip them over when you want to get into load-carrying mode.

Renault still uses the old-fashioned-style seats that lift in and out, but, for the 2006 model, the seats were made much easier to remove, install and adjust. They are still heavy, though, which some people will find a bugbear.

If you regularly plan to carry seven adults, then you will, no doubt, need the much longer Grand Espace. But if seven adults is a rare event, and you more frequently carry four other passengers with plenty of luggage or mainly children in the back, then the Espace will suffice.

As a five-seater, the Grand Espace is of limousine proportions, particularly with the centre row of seats slid right back. Three adults fit into the row of three individual chairs with ease and they have plenty of leg and hip room, although I noticed taller people found headroom a bit restricted.

With a good load on board, that new engine makes the car feel quite invigorating to drive. From nought to 62mph takes a very good 9.8 seconds and top speed is 126mph, no mean feat for a two-litre motor in such a large body.

The engine drives as standard through a six-speed manual box and at 70mph is turning at a fraction over 2,000rpm in top gear. It gives the car an average consumption of 36.5mpg, quite the best I have ever achieved in any Espace, petrol or diesel.

-Maurice Hardy