2020 Renault Master vs 2021 Volkswagen Crafter

What's the difference?

The Renault Master range has been refreshed, and this was our first chance to see what changes have been made. 

You should be able to tell just by the look of the 2020 Master that there’s a new design with a more modern looking front-end. And the inside has been thoroughly modernised, too.

But with contemporary rivals such as the VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter - both of which launched in all-new generation guises in 2018 - the question is whether the ageing, yet facelifted Master is worthy of consideration. 

We spent a week with it - and covered plenty of kays in it - to find out.

There aren’t many vehicles with more versatility than the Volkswagen Crafter. You could brand it multiple different models, that’s that much variation available.

Take the model tested here: the Crafter 50 LWB TDI410 SCC 8 speed auto RWD 4.49t GVM (with tray), or model code SZCD8DT. This van-based light truck is one of 47 variants available in the VW Crafter 2021 cab-chassis line-up. And there are also 32 van options and soon there’ll be four variants of Mini Bus, as well. Yes, there are more than 80 versions of the Crafter to choose from!

We’ve tested the Crafter van before, but this was our first chance to assess the cab-chassis model, which competes both against the likes of the Renault Master and Mercedes Sprinter cab models, but also the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter light truck.

Does it make sense for business buyers? Let’s find out.