Car "Renault Traffic": owner reviews and model review

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

A car cannot be as fast as a sports car, roomy as a bus, and economical as a Smart at the same time. However, there are models that are able to combine the advantages of completely different machines. At least to some extent. It is to these that the Renault-Traffic car belongs. Today we will review the latest, third generation of the model.

Historical background

In Europe, the Renault Trafic model is considered one of the best-selling commercial vehicles, along with the Volkswagen Transporter and Opel Transit models. The second generation was produced and successfully sold for 13 years. True, in our area the car was not very well known. There are several reasons for this: a skeptical attitude towards French cars, the personal preferences of the 90s haulers and a weak advertising campaign. Years have passed and priorities have changed. And now, when the new Renault-Traffic has gone on sale, the model has quite ambitiously declared itself in our market.

Creating a new generation, the developers tried to improvecar in all respects, while retaining the strengths of its predecessor and not allowing a significant rise in price. In addition, the management set the designers the most difficult task: to reduce fuel consumption, but at the same time increase interior space and expand the list of useful options.

Exterior

It's time to get acquainted with the appearance of Renault-Traffic. Reviews of owners and experts echo that the exterior of the model has not only changed, but has changed dramatically. Of course, our hero is still far from the flawless Mercedes Vito in the latest modification. However, it is also very far from the German in terms of price. The new Renault-Traffic is noticeably larger than its predecessor and, let's say, "busier".

Following the example of the second generation, the model is available in different versions: cargo, cargo-passenger and passenger. The gamut of colors has also expanded significantly, many bright, fresh shades have been added. The bright color looks rather original on a car of such a class as Renault-Traffic. Owner reviews note that such a car looks much more fun, and it can be seen from afar on the road.

What's inside?

Before entering the passenger compartment, the driver encounters wide and heavy doors, the massive handles of which are horizontal. A step is definitely needed here, by the way, without it, you would have to show climbing skills. Height adjustment of the driver's seat is available even in the basic configuration, which is good news, because when driving such a large car, you want tohave a good overview. By the way, with the review, as the reviews show, there are no problems here. Large windows and huge rear-view mirrors (consisting of two sections, the lower of which has a hemispherical shape), cope with their task with a bang.

Useful options

In top versions, the central mirror can be equipped with a liquid crystal screen, which displays data from the rear view camera. Parktronic is also available for the car. Both the first and second options will definitely not interfere, since the car is very bulky and long, and the rear door divided in half negatively affects the view through the interior mirror.

If desired, a branded multimedia system with navigation can be installed on the car. Exactly the same system is installed on Renault cars. Even a simple, basic radio here has a convenient steering column control panel and a slot for a flash card. Another USB input is located on the top of the dashboard. So if you need to charge your phone, you don't have to turn off the music. Thus, almost all the options that are now installed on the Logan, Megane or Sandero passenger models are also in the Renault Traffic 2015 model. Owner reviews will not let you lie. Auto recognize really very comfortable. If you want cruise control, please. Or maybe you want a keyless entry system? No problem. And in the "Traffic" you can add side airbags and a folding passenger seat that turns into a table. In general, the choice of equipment depends on the budget and needs. For example, forit is unlikely that anyone will order a start from a button for a company car.

Ergonomics

Useful options are not limited to the level of comfort "Renault-Traffic". Reviews of the owners note the abundance of various niches, compartments and shelves in the cabin, which is very convenient, especially on long trips. And all this is even in the basic configuration. At the top of the dashboard is a convenient recess for containers with drinks. Here you can place both a bottle of water and a cup of coffee. The center console pleases with a convenient retractable cup holder. The cabin even has slots for coins. In total, the cabin has 14 compartments, the total volume of which is 90 liters. These may include a 54-liter container located under the passenger seat.

The dashboard of the third "Traffic" has noticeably changed. The shield received an electronic speedometer, which is much more comfortable than the analog dial. It takes the minimum time to read the speed. Tooltips have been added to the dashboard to indicate when the best gear shift is to take place.

The ventilation system and the deflectors themselves have also changed. And if for a passenger car this is a trifle, then in a minibus it is a guarantee of comfort. Passengers in the middle row have air ducts for the legs and a control panel for airflow on the ceiling. Deflectors are also provided for the rear row. All this indicates a high level of comfort for Renault-Traffic. Owner reviews, however, are noted as significantlack of inability to ventilate the cabin through the windows. Alas, all windows, except for the two front ones, are deaf.

The rear row sofas are quite wide and, as was customary with the "beads", almost flat. In the second row, one section tilts to give passengers access to the third row of Renault Traffic. Driver reviews note a small backrest tilt and, as a result, a not very comfortable fit for rear passengers. Even in the cabin of the updated "Traffic", in comparison with the older generation, there is not enough (but not critical) headroom.

Cargo capacity

That's what the predecessor definitely didn't have, so it's a trunk with a volume of 1800 liters. By laying the rear sofa, you can increase this figure to 3400 liters. If there is a need to transport a long load (refrigerator, wardrobe, etc.), the sofas can be simply dismantled. But here you can not do without an assistant - the weight of the sofas is quite large. After dismantling, we get a completely flat floor. Rear doors swing open 90 or 180 degrees for easy loading/unloading.

Renault Trafic engines

For the new "Traffic", the French company offers a new generation of turbodiesel power units. There are only two motors. Both have a volume of 1.6 liters. The power of the first is 115 horsepower, and the second - 140 (twin turbo). The first gives 300 Nm of torque and consumes 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. The second gives 340 Nm of torque, but consumes only 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers. Consumption is indicated in mixedmode. Of course, the consumption figures declared by the manufacturer are indicated taking into account the empty cabin. As you may have noticed, there is no "Renault-Traffic" gasoline in this generation. Owner reviews show that gasoline units are not needed for such a car.

The third "Traffic" has an ECO button, which, according to Renault, can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. The main task of this function is to “chop off” the maximum torque bar. It should be so in theory, but in practice a comfortable ride results in a consumption of 7 to 8 liters.

In Eco mode, the car picks up speed very sluggishly, especially when the air conditioner is on. Therefore, the use of this mode is not at all justified, because for normal acceleration you have to “twist” the engine more, which obviously does not lead to savings. That's where the economy mode is useful, it's on the highway or in traffic when you go at a constant speed. Of course, the younger engine rides a little sluggishly. But the Renault-Traffic turbine, installed on the top-end engine, greatly affects the dynamics.

Transmission

"Renault-Traffic" (equipment does not play a role) is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The first gear, as befits such machines, turns on briefly. And the sixth can be useful especially on the track. The clarity of inclusion and the course of the scenes are far from the standard, but they do not cause hatred for the French auto industry. Thanks to the anti-recoil system, you can safely start on any slope. The basic version has an anti-lock braking system, and for a surcharge you can get ESP and a trailer assistance system,which eliminates the buildup of the body.

On the road

Dynamics has already been said, so let's talk about comfort and handling. Even at a speed of 130 km / h in front you can calmly talk, good noise isolation and a pleasant fuel consumption figure create the feeling that you have been taken care of. In terms of handling, of course, the car is far from being a passenger car, but it drives quite well, and most importantly, it is obedient and understandable. Successful suspension tuning and long travel allow you to move comfortably even on our specific roads. But this applies only to those sitting in front.

Rear passengers of Renault-Traffic (diesel), of course, do not get such comfort. And even when fully loaded, the stern still shakes. And this is normal for cars of this class. "Traffic" can be both a family car and a truck, but "commercial veins" make themselves felt. The rear suspension is designed for increased loads. Therefore, for the versatility of the car you have to pay for the comfort of the rear passengers.

Market prospects

Reno-Traffic (diesel) has occupied the niche of its predecessor in the company's commercial line, but whether it can become a bestseller is still unclear. It will be difficult for French production to compete with market leaders. Moreover, Ford and Volkswagen also delight the public with new products. So the French will definitely not be able to play on novelty. Nevertheless, the hero of today's story deserves attention. By the way, the price of the car starts at $25.5 thousand. The new "Transporter", for example, in a 2-liter version costs 38 thousand.

Conclusion

Today we learned what the third generation of the Renault-Traffic car is. Photos, reviews and expert assessment helped us get a better idea of the car. Summarizing the review, we can say that the car, compared to the previous generation, has taken a big step forward. He became more interesting and comfortable. Cargo characteristics have also increased. This is a truly versatile car that allows you to solve any problems. And with such fuel consumption, it’s not a pity and just go to work. The French knew how to bribe. Perhaps, in the future, Renault-Traffic 1, 9 will appear. Owner reviews, however, show that a turbocharged 1, 6 engine is also quite enough.