Seven seat Renault Triber is big on space

It’s called the Triber and it is a compact seven-seat alternative within the segment. I flew down to Durban to get behind the wheel and, I was pleasantly surprised, to be honest.

What is Triber?

The Renault Triber is a compact people mover but for some reason, Renault refers to it as an SUV, which I think is a bit bold. Sure, it does have a best-in-class ground clearance of 182mm and it looks quite rugged but I’d not go as far as to call it an SUV. It does, however, offer impressive space and practicality, 625-litres of luggage space in 5 seater configuration with an extra 31-litres of space in storage compartments.

The design

The Trider features a design which can easily be aligned with that of other Renault models on offer, such as the Renault Koleos and Duster. The front end is undoubtedly an attraction from a design element thanks to a prominent grille and projector headlights with LED daylight running lights. When viewed from the side, the strong shoulder lines, wheel arch flares and cladding enhance the overall look, as do the roof rails which can hold up to 50kgs. The rear end features a new design of tail light which Renault describes as being inspired by an eagles beak.

Interior design

I was pleasantly surprised by the interior design when I got into the car. The facia features an 8” touchscreen which comes integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Voice Command and video playback. You can expect a reverse camera with guidelines as well. Unfortunately, only one USB port is fitted. I would have liked to see more, considering the fact that this is a seven-seater. Rear passengers do however get ventilation in the rear with vents mounted in the roof lining. Another impressive feature is the keyless entry with proximity functionality. This means that the car will detect when you walk away and will lock automatically or prepare to unlock when you approach the car. It also features a push-button start/stop as well as a digital instrument cluster for added attraction.

How practical is it?

The Triber has been designed to be a seven-seater offering, the seat configuration is quite impressive. Owners can lower the second row, remove the third or even lower the front passenger seat. You can fit a surfboard and three passengers, camping gear and more. The Triber has been targeted to those wanting a car to fit their active lifestyle, a car that can be used for various applications.

Under the hood

Contrary to popular belief, the Renault Triber is not based on the Kwid, it makes use of a new platform construction. It makes use of a tweaked 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that features a dual VVT system which results in 52 kW/ 96 N.m torque. That said though you do need to work the 5-speed gearbox especially when you encounter elevations along your trip as I did when my launch route took us from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. It might struggle to thrill you but Renault does claim a fuel consumption of around 5.5l/100km.

Verdict

The Renault Triber is the newest addition to the segment, it brings with it a host of clever interior space usage and it offers safety features such as ABS, front and side airbags for those upfront and it looks good. Yes, the engine is its weakest point from an overall performance point of view. That said, the Triber comes in at R 164 900 for the entry-level Expression model. The Prestige derivative that I sampled at launch carries a price tag of R189 900 and represent the flagship in the range. Worth a consideration? At that price, yes.

Pricing

Renault TRIBER Expression     1.0-litre ENERGY   R 164 900

Renault TRIBER Dynamique     1.0-litre ENERGY   R 174 900

Renault TRIBER Prestige          1.0-litre ENERGY   R 189 900