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Renault Master
The Renault Master is one of the largest and most spacious wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) available, making it an excellent choice for anyone who needs plenty of room for a wheelchair, passengers, mobility equipment or luggage.
Unlike smaller car-based WAVs, the Master is a full-size van conversion. This gives it a huge amount of usable interior space and makes it particularly suitable for larger powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters and families or organisations that simply need more room.
Depending on the conversion, some Renault Master WAVs can even accommodate two wheelchair users at the same time.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Vehicle Type | Large Van |
| Typical Wheelchair Position | Rear |
| Conversion Types | Rear / Multi-Position / Multi-Wheelchair |
| Wheelchairs | 1 – 2 depending on conversion |
| Automatic Available | Yes |
| Petrol Available | No |
| Diesel Available | Yes |
| Best For | Larger Wheelchairs, Families, Groups & Organisations |
Typical Wheelchair Compatibility
| Wheelchair Type | Typical Suitability |
|---|---|
| Manual Wheelchair | Excellent |
| Compact Powered Wheelchair | Excellent |
| Large Powered Wheelchair | Excellent |
| Bariatric Wheelchair | Excellent |
| Mobility Scooter | Excellent |
A Seriously Spacious Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Space is the biggest reason to consider a Renault Master.
While smaller WAVs often require compromises between wheelchair space, passenger seating and luggage capacity, the Master gives converters a much larger area to work with.
This can be particularly useful for someone using a large powered wheelchair, bariatric wheelchair or mobility scooter, where width, length and headroom can become limiting factors in smaller vehicles.
The additional room can also make journeys more comfortable. Rather than the wheelchair user feeling squeezed into the rear of the vehicle, many Master conversions provide a much more open and spacious passenger area.
There can also be valuable additional room for shopping, luggage, medical equipment or other mobility aids.
Two Wheelchair Users
Certain Renault Master conversions have enough room to accommodate two wheelchair users simultaneously. This is relatively unusual among everyday wheelchair accessible vehicles and is one of the Master’s biggest advantages. A two-wheelchair Master can be ideal for couples who both use wheelchairs, larger families, care providers, charities, community groups and other organisations transporting more than one wheelchair user. Floor tracking allows each wheelchair to be correctly positioned and secured using the appropriate wheelchair restraint system. Not every Renault Master can carry two wheelchairs, however, so always check the individual vehicle specification.The Benefits of a Larger WAV
Choosing a larger wheelchair accessible vehicle isn’t simply about carrying more people. The extra interior space can make everyday travelling much easier. There is more room around the wheelchair, more space for larger chairs and mobility equipment, and greater flexibility when arranging passengers. It can also make securing a wheelchair easier because there is generally better access around the chair. For longer journeys, having additional personal space can make travelling considerably more comfortable for both the wheelchair user and other passengers. A larger vehicle can also provide valuable room for luggage, shopping, medical equipment, walking aids or a second mobility device without having to compromise wheelchair space.Who Is the Renault Master Best For?
The Renault Master is particularly well suited to wheelchair users who have outgrown smaller WAVs. It’s an excellent option for large powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as families needing room for several passengers, luggage and mobility equipment. It’s also particularly useful for:- Families requiring lots of wheelchair and passenger space
- Couples or families requiring space for two wheelchair users
- Users of larger powered or bariatric wheelchairs
- Care homes and care providers
- Charities and community organisations
- Schools and activity groups
- Community transport providers
At a Glance
Advantages
- Exceptionally spacious interior
- Excellent for larger powered wheelchairs
- Some versions can accommodate two wheelchair users
- Wheelchair lift makes boarding easier
- Floor tracking provides flexible wheelchair positioning
- Plenty of space for passengers, luggage and mobility equipment
- Flexible seating arrangements
- Excellent choice for families, groups and organisations
Things to Consider
Significantly larger than a car-based WAV
Requires more room for parking and manoeuvring
Higher driving position
Seating layouts vary considerably between conversions
Lift dimensions and maximum weight should be checked against the wheelchair
Renault Master Wheelchair Lift
Most Renault Master WAV conversions use a wheelchair lift rather than a traditional access ramp.
The lift is normally located at the rear of the vehicle. The wheelchair user moves onto the lift platform and is then raised smoothly to the level of the vehicle floor.
Many lifts are operated using a simple handheld or remote control.
For users of larger or heavier powered wheelchairs, a lift can be considerably easier than travelling up a long ramp. It also means that the vehicle does not require the very long ramp that would otherwise be necessary because of the Master’s higher floor.
The exact dimensions and weight capacity of the lift vary between conversions, so these should always be checked against the wheelchair being used.
Flexible Floor Tracking
One of the most useful features found in many Renault Master wheelchair conversions is floor tracking.
Tracking consists of secure rails installed into the vehicle floor. Wheelchair restraints and, on some conversions, passenger seats can be attached at different points along these rails.
This provides considerably more flexibility than a WAV where the wheelchair position is effectively fixed.
Depending on the conversion, the wheelchair can potentially be positioned further forwards or backwards within the passenger compartment. Seats may also be repositioned or removed to create additional wheelchair or luggage space.
This makes the Renault Master particularly useful when the way you use the vehicle is likely to change from one journey to another.
Seating & Passenger Space
Passenger seating varies considerably between Renault Master conversions. The large rear cabin means converters can create a wide variety of layouts, combining wheelchair positions with conventional passenger seats. Some seats may also be mounted on the floor tracking, allowing them to be repositioned or removed when extra wheelchair or luggage space is required. The front cabin itself is also spacious. Many versions have room for the driver plus two front passengers, making it possible to carry three people before even considering the rear passenger compartment. For families and organisations, this combination of wheelchair and conventional passenger capacity can be a major advantage.Driving a Renault Master
The Renault Master is a large vehicle, but its high driving position provides excellent visibility of the road ahead.
Once accustomed to the vehicle’s dimensions, many drivers find the elevated driving position comfortable and confidence inspiring. However, buyers moving from a conventional car or small WAV should remember that the Master requires more space when parking and manoeuvring. Vehicle height is also worth remembering when entering car parks or locations with height restrictions. For some buyers this additional size won’t be necessary. But where interior space and wheelchair flexibility are priorities, the benefits can easily outweigh the disadvantages.