Test Renault Trafic Passenger biturbo 120 HP

If we talk about medium-sized vans, undoubtedly, the Renault Trafic is one of the most reputable. The previous generation of the model was on sale for 12 years, being one of the preferred models along with its twins, the Opel Vivaro and the Nissan Primastar. In this new generation it only has the Opel Vivaro as a sister and it is no longer manufactured in Barcelona, but is instead assembled in Sandouville (France) and Luton (United Kingdom).

For the new Renault Trafic, an evolution in design has been opted for, especially in the front, higher quality finishes, more equipment and, above all, more modern and efficient mechanics, including biturbo engines such as the 1.6 dCi 120 horsepower of our test unit, which is presented in the Passenger Edition finish, the highest in the range.

Design changes

The changes in the design of the Renault Trafic are obvious. The front adopts some large optical groups, which leave aside the rounded design of the previous generation. Among them is a large front grille dominated by the Renault logo on a shiny black background. At the bottom of the bumper is also a grille, which extends to frame the fog lights.

The side view will remind us of the previous model, especially for the rear window shape. Being a van, forced to square lines, it is logical not to expect major changes, although one of the most characteristic elements of the previous model, the bulge on the front cabin, disappears in this new installment of the Renault Trafic. The rear shows pilots of a similar cut, vertical. Our unit has double doors, but can be equipped with a tailgate.

The Renault Trafic has a longitud of 5 meters, a width of 1,95 meters and a height of 1.971 meters. The wheelbase is 3,08 meters, but there is a variant of long battle, with 40 centimeters more wheelbase and therefore greater length. The long wheelbase is available on all trims and vans can have a higher roof. In the Trafic range there are also floor-cab versions for adaptations, double-cab and mixed vans.

Our unit mounts the Look Edition Pack (€413) that adds body-color mirrors and bumpers, a chrome grille and 17″ alloy wheels, notably improving the appearance of the vehicle.

A more mature interior

The interior of the Renault Trafic also features a number of important changes. The design is simple and in some elements it will remind us of the previous model, but in this new installment the optional Renault MediaNav and R-Link infotainment systems They take on greater prominence in the center console, mainly due to their low acquisition cost. Our unit was equipped with the MediaNav, easy to use, with quick response to keystrokes but with a navigation system that could be improved in terms of indications and some route calculations . Curiously, the maps were from 2012 and the vehicle was manufactured in 2014.

All the controls are at the driver's hand, even the cruise control and the limiter is in a logical position, something absolutely inappropriate for Renault. Due to the width of the Renault Trafic, the buttons to the right of the center console are quite far, such as the rear heated window button. An improvable detail is the leather steering wheel, which is partial. It is not upholstered in the spoke areas to save money and in the end, we will spend more time on plastic than on leather.

MediaNav multimedia system

There are various slide holes, such as the pockets in the doors, a small drawer to the left of the steering wheel, a large tray in the upper part of the dashboard, a cup holder that comes out of the gear lever area and two glove boxes, the classic large one and another on top of the dashboard, smaller. Renault also offers Support for mobiles and tablets that can be useful.

The clock chart is similar to that of Renault passenger cars and shows the high speed, in digital format, with the trip computer above it, the rev counter clock on the left and the fuel level clock on the right. Everything is easy to read thanks to its simplicity, but an engine temperature gauge is missing. In its place is a blue cold engine indicator and a red overheat indicator.

Information is displayed clearly

In terms of build quality, the Renault Trafic shows an interior to match, it is still a derivative of a commercial vehicle, because all the plastics are hard and the doors do not have padding or upholstery. This designed to last. The truth is that the adjustments are of good quality and we will not hear creaks or crickets while walking. Small details in shiny black, chrome and silver add a touch of modernity to the whole.

Great habitability, suspense in modularity

It is to be expected that the habitability in a model of these dimensions is remarkable. In the front seats there will be no problem. Both individual seats they have armrests on the inner side and lumbar and height adjustment (in the co-pilot you can opt for a double seat). The driving position is too high and upright and will allow us to see the traffic clearly, being able to anticipate ourselves. The cabin is high when getting on, although the step of the door facilitates the maneuver.

Accessing the second row of seats is just as easy. trails sliding allow access to a three-seat bench seat with small folding armrests between each of the seats. There are no large rear windows, instead we have small sliding windows that open. To access the third row of seats, with the same characteristics as the second, we find the first problems. Only one piece of the backrest on the right side tilts, so it will be mandatory to access from that side. There are no space problems in any of the places.

The seats in the second row cannot be folded like those in the third

There is air conditioning for the front seats and the second row also has its own regulation. In the second and third row the air outlets are located in the roof.

The trunk with the three rows of seats enabled is generous with 550 liters up to the tray, but we can expand it. The last row can fold down the backrest in one piece and can also be folded flat and tilted forward, freeing up much more space in the boot. The big mistake, in my opinion, of this van, falls back on the second row of seats. This backrest is not folding and the only way to free up the space occupied by the bench seat is to remove it from the vehicle. suppose a problem for those who want a camper van, since due to the impossibility of folding down the backrest of the second row, there would be no space to place a bed.

Biturbo engine, the perfect option

In this new Renault Trafic, the new biturbo engines over everything else. The mechanical range consists of four versions of the Renault 1.6 dCi engine. Those of 90 and 115 horses have a turbo and those of 120 and 140 horses they are twin-turbo, with a small and a large turbo that work at low and high revs respectively. The gearboxes are always six-speed manuals.

And motor 1.6 dCi Twin Turbo 120 hp that we have tested is the most efficient in the range in terms of homologation, with an homologated average of 5,7 liters, which is 0,9 liters less than the 115 horsepower. The delivery of torque and power is more linear and it is a very interesting option, considering that it costs just 400 euros more than the 115-horsepower one. The maximum torque is 320Nm at only 1.500 revolutions.

El refinement of this mechanic is also one of the strengths. As soon as you start it will be clear that it is quite silent and above all, that it does not transmit any vibration to the interior. It is a very pleasant engine to drive, especially in the city, because is linear, no dead zones. The six-speed gearbox also has precise routes and the lever is very close to hand with respect to the steering wheel. At first we might notice that the pedals are too high, but it is more for the feeling of driving a van if we are not used to it.

The gearbox has good staggering up to fourth gear, but the fifth and sixth are very long and many times the optimal thing will be to reduce to gain speed with more ease. In mountain passes we will see that the behavior of the engine is very good if we circulate in the area of approximately 2.000 laps. Contrary to what is usual, this Trafic works better at low and medium turns than up, where deflates after 3.500 laps. Although it is true that we have not traveled loaded, with 120 horses the Renault Trafic is more than agile given its characteristics.

As in many other models of the brand, the Renault Trafic has a echo button, that modifies throttle response and according to the brand itself, it helps reduce consumption by up to 10%. I don't particularly like the loss of performance that can be seen in this Renault Trafic with the Eco function activated, so I have carried out most of the test in conventional mode, where the engine is more pleasant.

It will be in urban routes where the excellent operation of the Stop & Start system. It stops smoothly when we stop and starts quickly and smoothly when you step on the clutch, quickly. Only the 120 and 140 horsepower Twin Turbo engines have Stop & Start.

Good dynamic behavior

Another section in which the Renault Trafic gets a good grade is in dynamic behavior, taking into account the limits of its nature, since it is still a van. The management has a good degree of assistance in all kinds of situations and in the city it is very pleasant. Driving on highways, we could miss a little more hardness, but gear ratio is correct, since if it were more direct, the reactions to the lateral wind could be more abrupt. With a lot of wind we will notice that the trajectory must be corrected, especially when overtaking trucks that act as barriers.

On the road it is agile, thanks in part to the engine. Very twisty areas are not preferred of this Trafic, which is clumsy in strong and fast support changes, but if we trace the curves delicately, without being abrupt with the direction, we can circulate at fast rates. The poise is very good and although the body rolls, the good set-up of the rear axle is to be appreciated. In many vans are a bit bouncy, something that does not happen in this traffic.

Maneuverability and visibility

A tailgate allows for better visibility

The dimensions of the Renault Trafic are considerable, but when it comes to driving it is not as big as it seems. The maneuverability is good and we will have very good visibility forward and to the sides. in our unit with double rear doors rear visibility is poor. They are very useful for parking the rear parking sensors and the camera, which is displayed in the rear view mirror.

The references, in front, are taken well thanks to the high driving position and the short front of the van. The rear-view mirrors offer very good visibility and the lower part of these allows us to see the curbs when parking.

Stable and contained consumption

In terms of consumption, we will see that the Renault Trafic is quite stable, always moving around the same figures. Trying to reach the 5,7 liters that the brand promises under normal driving circumstances is practically impossible. It will be difficult to go down from 7,0 liters, really. During more than 900 kilometers of testing, combining motorways, cities and highways, our average obtained was 7,7-7,8 liters, oscillating between both figures. In highway tours we could go down to 7,3 liters, but if there is a strong wind it is easy to hover around 7,7 liters. These figures are always with one or two people and little or no load.

Our veredicto

With this new delivery of the Renault Trafic, those of the rhombus make their intentions clear for maintain leadership position in your segment. It is a very well resolved product, especially in the tuning and above all, with the 1.6 dCi Twin Turbo engines, which are refined and efficient.

It does not reach the level of vans like the Volkswagen Transporter, much less the Mercedes V Class (better to compare it with the Vito), but its prices are significantly lower. A weak point, quite serious in my opinion, is the lack of internal modularity, especially as far as the second row is concerned. A large percentage of those who buy these types of passenger vans do so with the intention of adapting them to camper vehicles. A backrest that does not fold makes it impossible to place the bed, as we have already said.

Another point to note is that only includes two airbags as standard, driver and passenger front. The side and curtain airbags are optional, with an extra cost of 440 euros and highly recommended to equip.