Renault South Africa has quietly reintroduced a nameplate many of us had almost forgotten. The Trafic Passenger is back, and this time it arrives as a proper 9-seater people-mover rather than just another commercial van with windows. After nearly two decades away from our market, the French brand is taking another swing at the large MPV/ minibus space currently dominated by the Toyota Quantum, Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Transporter.
Renault has tried to move the vehicle away from pure workhorse territory. The front end carries the brand’s current design language with C-shaped LED daytime running lights and a more purposeful look. On the top Techno+ derivative you get body-coloured bumpers, 17-inch diamond-cut alloys and privacy glass that help it look less like a panel van with seats and more like a serious family or shuttle tool.
Inside is where the real conversation starts for most Mzansi buyers. The cabin can be configured for three, six or nine seats. Fold everything down and you are looking at up to 6 000 litres of load space, which then gives you that panel van that you might need. Rear passengers get their own climate controls, sliding windows and plenty of USB ports.
Under the bonnet sits Renault’s familiar 2.0-litre Blue dCi turbodiesel. It produces 125kW and a healthy 380Nm, sent to the front wheels through a 9-speed automatic. On paper the numbers look solid, and on the road the package apparently delivers. The engine pulls cleanly from low revs and the gearbox is said to be smooth enough that you forget it is there on the highway. Claimed combined consumption sits between 6.2 and 7.2 L/100km depending on load and conditions. With an 80-litre diesel fuel tank, theoretical range edges past the 1 000km mark.
Pricing is competitive for what is on offer and what rivals are also charging.
Renault Trafic Passenger Prices
Evolution – R979 999
Evolution+ – R1 016 999
Techno+ – R1 049 999
