By Trevor Gehlcken It seems like only yesterday but it was, in fact, 17 years ago that I joined a party of UK van journalists flying to Copenhagen to drive the new Renault Trafic for the first time. All rights reserved.Auto Express™ is a registered trade mark. Through clever design however, Renault have equipped the Renault Trafic with adequate room for both. Terms, conditions and fees apply. Entry-level Business models get electric windows, electric/heated door mirrors, an alarm and immobiliser, an adjustable steering wheel, a DAB radio with Bluetooth and a multifunction trip computer. But if you can afford it, the range-topping Sport model is worth the money, with an upgraded dashboard that gets a closeable upper storage compartment, leather-covered steering wheel and cruise control with speed limiter. As standard, the Renault Trafic has a solid safety specification. The Trafic range now features Renault's R-Link Evolution and Media Nav Evolution infotainment systems from the Renault car range. They also give them a reliability index of just 89, which is pretty good compared to the industry average of 118 (the lower the score the better). The 2.0 dCi makes life easy, too, while the six-speed gearbox has a decent shift. There's also the luxury seven-seat Trafic Space Class MPV, which takes on the Volkswagen Caravelle and Mercedes V-Class. The Renault Trafic is one of the most spacious mid-sized vans on the market, and this remains true with the arrival of the updated model in 2019. Motor blew up within the first 4500 kms and had to be replaced. Renault has revised the Trafic engine range down to a choice of two versions of the same 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel engine. Whichever you choose, Bluetooth is standard on all vans, so connectivity shouldn't be an issue. That's as far as the exterior updates go, but they could be enough to help draw in more buyers. More details . The Renault Trafic can transport a payload of 962Kg and gives the driver 115bhp to work with. Add the dual-clutch auto, and the best combined WLTP figure is 38.7mpg for both power outputs on offer. The change from 1.6-litre to 2.0-litre engines hasn’t radically transformed the way that the Renault Trafic performs, but it does bring a slight improvement. The best combined WLTP fuel consumption figure for the Trafic is 39.8mpg, which is the same for all three power outputs with the manual gearbox. The new 2.0 dCi engine comes with stop-start as standard to help improve fuel economy, while Renault's 'ECO' mode button has also been retained. The 1.6 dCi twin-turbodiesel has been replaced by a larger 2.0 dCi with a single variable-geometry turbocharger and stop-start fitted across the range. Some problems will only occur after many years of operation, others are related to technical solutions and forced the manufacturer to issue a recall. Owning 5. There are also 17in alloy wheels, front foglights, body-coloured mirrors and metallic paint thrown in. Increased equipment and a new exterior design round off significant updates for the popular TRAFIC model. The highlight from a user-friendliness point of view is Renault's Mobile Office which is found on Business+ models and above. It comes in 120, 145 and 170 guises, with 118, 143 and 168bhp respectively, All vans are front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a six-speed dual-clutch auto is offered with the dCi 145 and 170 engines. An overall length of 4,999mm for the standard Trafic means it's one of the longer vans on the market, and it means the standard panel van has 5.2 cubic metres of cargo volume in the back. You can also calculate a car's projected resale value via our price and specs page . Share 0 Tweet 0 LinkedIn 0 Pin 0 Email 0. Excludes Government, Rental and National Fleet customers. Press this and it dulls the throttle response on the van to keep the engine revs in check. Renault Trafic of the French Gendarmerie (pre-facelift) The current Trafic is the Renault-branded version of a panel van developed in a joint venture with Opel, and also sold as a Vauxhall Vivaro; it is also sold by Nissan as the Primastar.. It doesn't seem to be quite on a par with the rest of the cabin in terms of robustness, but it will definitely be a useful addition for those with paperwork to do on the move. The Sport is essentially a trim package that adds some more kit into the mix as well as sporty-ish 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, metallic paint, side steps and spoilers. Here’s an anniversary you might have missed – 2020 marked a rather incredible 40 years of the Renault Trafic. Our long term "far from ordinary" Renault Trafic is weighted down with bling and accessories that most fleet drivers can only dream about. As well as the panel vans in two wheelbases and two roof heights, Renault offers a six-seater crew van, a nine-seater minibus and a platform cab ready to take a host of conversions. The engine is produced since 2011. Renault reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Finally, another great piece of kit that we'd certainly consider from the options list is Renault's hands-free key card. Instead, we’ve brought along our new long-term Renault Trafic. The Renault Trafic models affected by this recall were manufactured between 29. The Renault Trafic's new 2.0-litre engine is a smooth performer. USB and 12-volt charging sockets also feature, and you can add 12-volt charging to the cargo area, too. What originally sold it to me was the capacity and the ride quality. But it’s a smooth and sophisticated one at that. Renault F4R 2.0 liter Engine Problems and Reliability. A thru-load facility means items as long as 4.15 metres can be carried, thanks to a hatch in the bulkhead under the standard twin passenger seat. The current Trafic first went on sale in 2014, but the introduction of new emissions-compliant diesels to the line-up in 2019 saw Renault also update the van's looks and technology. Body-coloured bumpers are also added at this point to enhance the look of the van. Chief among them is the introduction of Renault's latest infotainment systems from the car range. Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is You get a four-year/100,000-mile warranty, along with four years of roadside assistance as standard. This is a 2.5-liter turbodiesel, which has become the most powerful in the range of power units. My first Trafic a 56 plate went out of warranty at 60,000 which was after 2 1/2 years then the slave cylinder,clutch and ball joints needed replacing. The suspension delivers a reasonable balance between comfort and load carrying (we tried a Trafic with a 440kg payload), and the Trafic is pretty smooth on longer runs. Premium paint available at additional cost. >> Read our full Renault Trafic review It’s first and foremost a commercial vehicle. There's hardly any diesel rattle, while the most powerful 168bhp version also has 380Nm of torque at low revs, so it pulls sweetly from 1,600rpm. There's also a new six-speed auto gearbox offered in the Trafic. The Business+ model adds the 'Wide View Mirror', which is a giant vanity mirror on the passenger sun visor. And that’s putting it lightly. New: Reliability by Make and Model. This gives a torque rating of 290Nm at revs of 1600rpm. “Great ride, good economy, but would I buy another - NO!” Written on: 13/10/2013 by Adrianthejoiner (1 review written) I bought a Renault trafic, long wheelbase, in 2004, brand new. 2. On the road, the Trafic is largely the same as before, with a commanding view of the road, a comfortable driving position and good rearward visibility. Improved connectivity, bigger displays and more safety advance... What Car? There's R-Link and Media Nav systems on offer, so Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now compatible (CarPlay is only offered on Media Nav, though), while an all-grey finish for the plastic trim and additional silver trim on the dashboard give the interior a bit of a lift. A rear camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure and city braking are all available, too. Trafic trim levels are Business, Business+ and Sport with all models getting a DAB radio with Bluetooth, ESC stability control, a full steel bulkhead, remote central locking and a sliding side door on the left. 3. These systems allow you to hook up a smartphone and use either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, although the latter is only compatible with the pricier Media Nav system. That high driving position helps in town, while wide-angle mirrors - including the additional wide-view mirror in the passenger-side sun visor - help you to manoeuvre. Gear shift indicators and a light on the dashboard that changes from green to yellow to red depending on how heavy you are using the throttle also helps you to be more efficient. If you're setting up in business for yourself, Renault also offers a sign-writing package across its range that allows you to choose from sets of fonts and colours. 7 – Renault Trafic. In the following overview, you will find the most common problems for the Renault Trafic, for which Renault has announced a recall through the EU Rapex system. Our comprehensive reviews include detailed ratings on Price and Features, Design, Practicality, Engine, Fuel Consumption, Ownership, Driving & … The Renault Trafic is a medium van that competes against the likes of the Ford Transit Custom and the VW Transporter.This version was first launched in 2014. Our verdict. It eliminates the Trafic's blind spot by increasing the driver's field of vision down the offside flank of the van. However we are seeing these on very low mileage compared to the previous models. ... Overview 2. Up front the most recent update added a squarer shape for the lights and grille, while Renault's C-shaped LED daytime running light signature makes an appearance. As has often been the case, the Trafic proves to be good value for money when it comes to the level of equipment in its various trim packages, especially when compared with rivals from Mercedes and Volkswagen. Where the Trafic will really win over buyers is inside, where Renault has made some more significant changes. Next up is Business+, which brings manual air conditioning, the wide-angle passenger mirror, rear parking sensors and a mobile office package that includes a smartphone cradle and a fold-down centre seatback with detachable clipboard. If you need more seats, then the Trafic Crew Van is available, while the Trafic Passenger and Space Class versions are dedicated people movers. The fact that much of the running gear and architecture has been derived from the Transporter (in second place) may serve as a reason why. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. With this drivers can open the Trafic's doors, start the engine and drive away without ever having to take the key out of their pocket. There's a manual mode (but no paddleshifters) which is effective at holding gears when you're negotiating a steep downhill slope. You can pick between 90PS and 115PS versions of the engine and both are very refined in everyday use with little noise or rowdiness, even when worked hard. The 2015 Renault Trafic has a fairly big task ahead of it. In these vehicles, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) high pressure pipe may crack – this could cause the vehicle to stall, a loss of engine braking assistance and/or fuel leakage. In the back, the load area is unchanged, with the panel van coming in two body lengths and two roof heights, so cargo volume ranges from 3.2 cubic metres (for the Crew Van) to 8.6 cubic metres. Also new is LED load bay lighting, which bathes the area in brilliant white light. As before, the Trafic has a number of strong rivals. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2021. They also put six Renault models in their top 100 … You get a four-year/100,000-mile warranty, along with four years of roadside assistance as standard. Finally, there's the Nissan NV300 and Fiat Talento, both of which are built in the same factory as the Renault in France, and with similar kit levels and cargo space inside. Would you have thoughts on the relative merits of the single- versus the twin-turbocharger versions? Silver trim on higher-spec vans gives it a lift, too. There's up to 90 litres of storage space inside the cab, depending on which of the 14 possible storage spaces are present. It shifts smoothly, although it's a bit slow to react when you accelerate, and it does seem keen to kick down whenever you use the throttle, which can send the revs soaring. It is based on a weaker model with a volume of 2.2 liters and adds the latest developments in the field of engine building. Open the first and planks or piping of up to 2.94m in length can be accommodated. Also on Business+ models is a built-in smartphone cradle that locates your phone within easy reach and sight, although it's not the most sophisticated addition these days. A larger cradle for tablet devices can also be specified. Performance 4/5. Find all of our 2006 Renault Trafic Reviews, Videos, FAQs & News in one place. Extra airbags are cost options. Vauxhall's with as little as 22k miles are needing full bearing replacements as well as replacement gears. This is the twin turbo version and I thought it would have been much better. Again, that's in the short-wheelbase model. This is Renault's EDC auto, and it really takes the strain out of driving in town. is part of Haymarket Automotive, a division of Haymarket Media Group © Haymarket Media Group 2019. On the inside 4. I had my manual 2018 Renault trafic from december 2018 brand new. Special version of the Renault Trafic hits the road with black wheels and extra standard equipment, Far-reaching changes mean the Renault Trafic is still a top-pick for van buyers, Whether you’re looking for an off-the-shelf solution or a bespoke build, Renault Pro+ will have a conversion that’s ideal for your needs, Priced from £22,800, the new look Renault Trafic mid-sized panel van gets improved cabin quality, The Renault Trafic delivers the goods with a big load area and efficient engines, Renault Kangoo, Trafic and Master Premier Editions get the special treatment to mark the brand's Sky Sports Premier League tie-in, Top tips and advice from a Renault fleet expert, New paint, wheels and black and yellow trim for these Formula One-inspired special edition vans, Renault Trafic SpaceClass targets the executive shuttle sector with up to nine seats and a modular layout, Renault has opened the order books for its Trafic and Master Passengers, with 6, 9 and 17 seat versions available, Sketches give a taste of what we can expect from the new Renault Trafic, The Renault Trafic was a styling revolution for vans when it arrived back in 2001, here's our video review, The Renault Trafic is available in six body styles and can carry a competitive payload but rivals offer better standard safety equipment, New Renault Trafic Black Edition revealed, Renault Trafic: a far-reaching facelift for the mid-sized frontrunner, Renault Pro+ vans: The home of conversions, Prices for facelifted 2019 Renault Trafic van announced, New Renault Kangoo Trafic and Master Premier Edition vans revealed, Top tips to look after your van (sponsored), Renault Formula Edition Trafic, Kangoo and Master vans, New Renault Trafic SpaceClass 2017 review, 2015 Renault Trafic and Master Passenger minibuses on sale. After six months of being our video team’s runaround van, our Renault Trafic has made its way back to the French brand’s headquarters. In this case, your engine will shake. All four of these are even more car-like to drive than their rivals, but they do sacrifice ultimate carrying capacity when compared to the Trafic. An internal ceiling rack is also available as an option, along with Renault's Ready4Work range of fully warrantied internal racking and storage solutions. Elsewhere, the Vauxhall Vivaro - a van once closely linked to the Trafic - now shares its running gear with the Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch and Toyota Proace. Renault also offers a number of conversion options, including a camper van. Renault Megane 2, Renault Laguna, Renault Espace (2, 3, 4), Renault Trafic 2, Praga R1, Renault Clio Sport. Operators may well be casting an anxious eye towards the Trafic's front light clusters (especially the LED ones) and the big painted bumpers on higher-spec vans, but Renault assures us that repair costs on the Trafic have been kept firmly in check. The bumpers on the entry-level versions are unpainted as standard. It's a middle front passenger seat with a fold-down back that reveals a table with detachable clipboard and a laptop storage space. 1. All of these vans have plenty of space and car-like touches in the cabin and are well worth a look. Renault Trafic. Offer available on new MY20 & MY21 Renault TRAFIC ordered between 01/01/21 and 31/03/21 and delivered by 15/04/21. Renault claims that there is an improvement of around 2 per cent in terms of fuel efficiency when the new 2.0 dCi diesel is directly compared with the older 1.6 dCi engines. If there are any common problems and complaints about Renault's reliability or faults, they'll likely show up on our Renault problems page. The larger capacity is designed to help the Trafic meet the latest emissions legislation, as well as improve responses. We have seen many faults on Renault Trafic vans, these are some of the more common: Many owners have reported problems with starting Renault Trafic vans, amongst the most common of reasons for this is a failed fuel pump . This allows the left hand door that carries the Trafic's rear numberplate to be locked in place so very long items can be poked out of the right hand door and carried with rear lights and numberplate visible. Learn how it drives and what features set the 2006 Renault Trafic apart from its rivals. The Renault TRAFIC has been named Medium Van of the Year 2020 at the annual Fleet World awards ceremony.. Mt current Trafic 3 1/2 years old has had a failed steering pump and rack. Although the design has changed slightly the new Vauxhall Vivaro B's/Movano, Renault Trafic Mk2/ Master and Nissan models have the same gearbox. The Trafic is built at GMM Luton Vehicles, Luton in the UK, along with the Vivaro and Primastar.. 1. 6 – Mercedes-Benz Vito. The Trafic has a really good reputation and a strong reliability record. The Renault Trafic isn’t a stripped out people mover. I've been waiting for the new 1.6dCi version of the Renault Trafic van/people-carrier to arrive, and I'd be grateful to know your opinion of the reliability record of the engine to-date. There are now three power options on offer, with the middle version – with 145 horsepower – the one that suits the van the best. In 2003, Renault engine engineers developed a new engine for the Trafic series. Driving 3. Should something go wrong, Renault's PRO+ network of van centres offers a van-for-van courtesy vehicle while yours is off the road, a diagnostic report within the hour and a maximum 48-hour lead time for servicing and repairs. Both times a £1500 repair bill just out of warranty. The main one is the Ford Transit Custom, but there's also the Mercedes Vito and Volkswagen T6 Transporter. These are good vans to drive, with lengthy load space and efficient engines, whether the newer 2.0-litre models or the original 1.6-litre versions. Excludes Government, Rental and National Fleet customers. 7 / 10. ReliabilityIndex place Renault in tenth on their reliability table. Rear main seal leak. My priorities are reliability and longevity. Remarkably though, we’re still only on the third generation of Trafic after the original soldiered on for 21 years. Yep, the mid-sized van replaced the iconic Estafette way back in 1980 and is still going strong having sold over two million units. Moreover, Renault includes a special 'load through bulkhead' on Business+ models and above. For all the latest van reviews, news, advice, and videos visit our dedicated van section here. However, updated with a facelifted front end in mid-2019, the Trafic on sale in 2020 now boasts a range of 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines with as much as 170hp and the option of a six-speed automatic gearbox, enhancing its all … The Renault Trafic is an extremely popular van, but as with any vehicle faults will develop with use. Owning . The 2019 update added options such as front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera and automatic emergency braking. Renault has brought a number of passenger car touches to the interior of the Trafic, but the van's cabin is still designed primarily as a working environment. Renault Trafic 2014 prices in UAE starting at AED 71,000, specs and reviews for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, with fuel economy, reliability problems and showroom phone numbers. The Renault Trafic has been steadily climbing the FN50 reliability rankings over the last three years, and now finds itself ranked a highly impressive fourth. The Renault / Nissan R9M engine has an aluminum head with double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (16 valves in total). Overall, the van's dimensions are unchanged, and the same Business, Business+ and Sport trims are for sale, while Black Edition adds a different look to the van. I also found that when loaded with about 900 kg of weight the van struggles. Ignition coils last not so long. Premium paint available at additional cost. This is basically 2 flaps, one at floor level in the bulkhead behind the passenger seat and a second under the passenger seat itself. Vehicle's history VIN Check • Renault UK Recalls • Common Problems • Check VIN. Renault reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Crucially, this enables the smallest Trafic to carry three Europallets or 11 standard sheets of plasterboard. And stripes. In addition, there are tips to improve your driving style within the infotainment system, which can help you to produce a real-world economy benefit if the driver takes any notice. The improvements to the TRAFIC deliver lower emissions, improved fuel consumption and a reduction in service and maintenance costs. Under the bonnet is the other area where updates have been made. Running costs and reliability. The Renault R9M 1.6 dCI 130 is a 1.6 l (1,598 cc, 97.51 cu-in) straight-four 4-stroke turbocharged diesel engine from the new Energy family co-developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On the security front, all models get deadlocks, an immobiliser and an alarm, while Renault offers a number of deadlocks and security add-ons as part of the Trafic's range of accessories. Business+ adds air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, the clever load-through bulkhead and Renault's Mobile Office (dashboard device cradles plus a middle passenger seat that folds down to reveal a clipboard and lab-top storage). All-new models tend to suffer in reliability surveys but the second-generation Crafter – introduced in 2017 – is fairing relatively well. 2020. The full steel bulkhead forms a robust barrier between occupants and cargo, then there's a driver's airbag, ABS with EBD and ESC stability control with hill start assist and Grip Xtend to help out on slippery surfaces.