Reviews - Renault

Overall Rating

The Renault Trafic fits into Renaults van range above the Kangoo and below the Master in size. As with the Master the Trafic has gone under recent revisions in styling, equipment and the latest Euro IV engines.

• Euro IV engine
• Enhanced interior spec with some clever touches
• Wide choice of model range

• Too early to tell how revisions will withstand time

The latest Trafic model revised in December 2006 features a re-designed front end using one-piece headlamp units with built-in indicators and a restyled radiator grille moving the Renault badge as they described to me inwards. At the rear, there are revised lamp units and a useful footplate for added practicality. Inside there has been an improvement in quality, especially around the new dashboard. As well as some new clever ideas like shelves below the instrument panel and a refrigerated glove box that is linked to the air to keep those drinks cold in the summer. Height adjustable steering wheel makes for a comfy ride. Equipment levels have been improved where even the basic Trafic models get features like a 30W single-CD RDS radio, ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution), remote central locking with deadlocking and an insurance approved (category 1) alarm and immobiliser. A maximum payload of up to 1.2 tonnes it's easy to load with wide opening doors for easy access. The wide model choice remains between two wheelbases - short 3098mm and long 3498mm, two roof heights - short 1.96m and high 2.50m and three body types: panel van, commercial passenger vehicle with 9 seats and platform cab. The best-selling version, the SL (short wheelbase, low roof), has a load volume of 5m³, with a load length of 2.41m and an interior height of 1.38m. The long wheelbase version has a load volume of 5. 93m³ and 40cm additional length. The high roof versions have 7m³ and 8m³ capacities and standing-room interior height of 1.91m. There?s also a popular six-seat Trafic Crew Van variant, offered in both short and long wheelbase versions of the low roof models, with a load area of up to 4m³. The engine line-up sees the introduction of Euro 4 standards bringing two versions of the latest 2.0 dCi diesel engine developing either 90 or 115bhp. Next step up is the 2.5 dCi engine with 150bhp. All these engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox but if you go for the 115 or 150bhp models you can have the option of a six-speed semi-automatic Quickshift6 transmission. For petrol lovers Renault also still offer a 2.0 16V petrol derivative with 120bhp which also meets Euro 4 standards.

The revised Trafic certainly sees some spectacular interior touches, I still can't quite believe the cooled glove box if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. This van catapults Renault to the top of the mid-van sector.