A 2023 Renault Trafic Van Review
The upgrade Renault Trafic for sale - what’s new inside and outside, but also what improvements to the safety equipment were made?
The Trafic competes against the likes of the Ford Transit Custom and the Volkswagen Transporter. It was previously updated in 2019 when the original 1.6-litre engines were replaced by the new 2.0-litre turbodiesels that form the basis of the current range. These offer up to 170hp and the option of an appealing six-speed automatic gearbox.
What's new for the Renault Trafic?
The front of the New Trafic – as Renault is calling it – is ‘completely new’. Alongside that big grille, there is fully LED lighting with Renault’s signature C-shaped daytime running lights, and beneath it, there’s a redesigned front bumper, described as ‘elegant and dynamic’.
There are no changes at the rear, but as before, the updated Trafic comes in two lengths and two roof heights. The trim structure has been revised a couple of times.
On the inside, there’s a new dashboard with an emphasis on horizontal lines, better-quality door panels with wider armrests, a new gear lever and a new instrument panel. Infotainment options are brought bang up-to-date with Renault's car range, which also lends the Trafic a number of interior trim parts.
Most significantly of all, however, the prior version of the Renault Trafic was heavily criticised by the Euro NCAP crash safety body because of its lack of an active safety kit – to the extent that it was actually ‘not recommended’.
This updated Trafic has taken serious steps towards correcting this and is now available with a substantial number of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking (which Renault refers to as active emergency braking).
Renault Trafic strengths and weaknesses
Strengths include the impressively comfortable and car-like driving experience, good real-world fuel economy, and the joint-longest loading length in the mid-size van sector, alongside its sister van the Nissan NV300. This is essentially the same as the Trafic (and built by Renault), though the Nissan comes with a five-year warranty as standard.
Up until 2019, the Vauxhall Vivaro was also based on the Renault Trafic (though built in Luton rather than France). But with a change of ownership making the British brand part of the former Peugeot-Citroen PSA Group (now renamed Stellantis) a newer Vivaro has been launched based on the same platform as the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace. This was also true for the Fiat Talento, but the same happened in 2021 as Fiat also joined the Stellantis group.
In terms of weaknesses, you will find that many rivals are available with higher payload ratings. And as we've mentioned, older versions didn't have the greatest safety rating.
Renault Trafic body styles and variants
The Trafic comes in two lengths and two roof heights, making a total of four body variants.
It’s also sold as a panel van, a crew van (with second row of seats) and as the Trafic Passenger, essentially a compact minibus with up to nine seats. A platform cab for conversions is also available, as well as a 'luxury' passenger carrier called the SpaceClass, which competes against the Volkswagen Multivan.
A load-through flap in the bulkhead means items such as pipes up to 4.15m in length can be accommodated. This is fitted as standard on most models.
Full details of load area capacity are listed on this dedicated Renault Trafic dimensions page.
Verdict: Is the Renault Trafic any good?
The Renault Trafic is a good choice for a medium van if you don’t need the highest possible payload ratings. The latest version looks sharp, offers a safety kit that's right at the top of the class, and has a broader range of engines, all of which meet the very latest Euro 6 emissions regulations. The 2022-onwards interior is a big improvement, too.
Info shared from https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/