New Renault Trafic arrives in Australia

NEARLY a year after the order books opened in Europe, Renault’s updated Trafic mid-size van is now on Australian soil. However, the 2023 Trafic arrival Down Under isn’t just a case of cosmetic surgery: it heralds a big shift for Renault’s local LCV strategy.

While the pre-facelift Trafic range opened at $39,590 for the entry-level 85kW 1.6-litre turbo diesel with a six-speed manual, the eight-variant-strong 2023 Trafic family starts at $48,200 before on-roads. That’s a sizable jump, but one that’s partially explained by two factors: Renault has dumped low-output engines for its midsize van, while simultaneously pumping up the level of standard safety equipment.

All variants now receive the 2.0-litre turbo diesel by default, with the workman-grade Trafic Pro offering the option of a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic in either short-wheelbase or long-wheelbase form.

Generating 125kW of power and a peak torque figure of 380Nm from just 1500rpm, the ‘170 dci’ powertrain was previously only available to the up-spec Trafic Premium and Trafic Lifestyle, with the cheapest variant to use that engine offered at $47,090.

However, with the range-topping Trafic Lifestyle Crew moving up by a little over $6K to a new RRP of $62,200, Renault’s mainstay commercial vehicle is now positioned as a quasi-premium product more akin to Mercedes-Benz’s Vito than Toyota’s HiAce.

The provision of a manual option for the 2.0-litre is also something that wasn’t seen previously, with those seeking a three-pedal six speed having to make do with the weak-wristed 85kW 1.6 or the slightly more muscular 106kW version of that same engine.

With the 2023 Trafic now offering the same level of power and torque regardless of transmission selection, owners won’t have to make sacrifices in the engine room for the sake of a gearbox. 

Fuel economy for those looking at a manual will however be slightly worse. While the old 85kW engine burned an average of 6.6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, its 125kW replacement consumes a claimed 7.2L/100km. The EDC automatic, meanwhile, is more efficient with its 6.5L/100km claim, which represents a 0.8L/100km improvement over the outgoing auto-equipped 125kW model.

As for other specification improvements, the Trafic’s maximum payload now weighs in at 1279kg for the LWB - an improvement of 29kg over the pre-facelift Trafic. The maximum tow capacity has also been lifted to 2500k for the Trafic Pro SWB and LWB manual - a 500kg boost - though other variants tug less, with auto-equipped LWB Pro, LWB Premium and LWB Lifestyle only rated for 1630kg on a braked trailer.

But for some operators, the most critical change may be the long-awaited addition of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) to the Trafic’s equipment list, with the collision-avoiding technology now fitted as standard on all variants alongside Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Stepping up into the Trafic Premium or Lifestyle nets more safety gear, with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, tyre pressure warning, front and side parking sensors and speed sign recognitions now standard for those variants.

Beyond the front-end redesign which brings the Trafic into line with the rest of Renault’s contemporary line-up, the 2023 Trafic’s interior has also been gifted a new dash and gear lever, along with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display that integrates Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 4.2-inch colour multi-function display in the instrument panel.

The mid-spec Premium grade adds keyless entry, a wireless phone charge pad, laptop-sized stowage bins and an A4-sized fold-out document shelf, while the Lifestyle Crew Van brings a baked-in satellite-navigation system to the aforementioned 8.0-inch infotainment package.

The Trafic Pro comes standard with a rear liftgate and left sliding door only, while the Trafic Premium upgrades the tailgate to barn doors and adds another sliding door to the right side. The Trafic Lifestyle Crew van adds glass to those side doors, and features higher-quality interior furnishings, increased sound insulation, a triple-seat rear bench, sun blinds in the side doors, a heated driver’s seat and climate control.  

Service intervals are set for every 12 months or 30,000km, with the Trafic range covered by Renault’s five-year/200,000km commercial vehicle warranty.

2023 Renault Trafic pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.