Renault Trafic SpaceClass 2021 test: our opinion behind the wheel

It is the dream machine for students to go to winter sports with friends, the ideal vehicle for families on the road to vacation, the perfect van for transporting employees.

It is the Renault Trafic, heir to a model launched four decades ago, which comes in passenger transport version to take advantage of an aesthetic update, accompanied by technological developments.

Behind this modernized facies, with a revised grille, redesigned shields and a C-shaped light signature, this van produced in France, in Sandouville, can now hide new equipment.

Among them are adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking in urban areas, blind spot monitoring and a lane departure warning, all optional.

The Trafic also welcomes a new more rewarding dashboard, adorned with a beautiful 8 inch touch screen responding to the Easy Link system, with glove box in drawer, storage in the upper part and a “balcony” gear lever which benefits the driving position, always very neat.

And for the modularity aspect, the Traffic, capable of carrying up to 9 seats, is available in Combi as well as in a “grand luxe” version, called SpaceClass.

The first, more accessible, embarks two three-seater benches, the first partially tilting forward for access to the last row through one of the sliding side doors.

The second, much more user-friendly and flexible, has three seats in the third row, reclining independently of each other.

With the Signature pack, they are preceded by two sliding armchairs and equipped with armrests, which swivel so as to travel facing the road, or to take advantage of the passengers seated behind.

There, a sliding block incorporating shelves (for work or for meals) allows provide a lounge area or “mobile office”.

Ergonomics geared towards well-being and exchange, able to appeal to families or employees and VIPs driven by private drivers.

We never run out of space on board and the trunk volume remains giant. And if it must be admitted that air noises are present, comfort is preserved and each row benefits from specific ventilators.

At the wheel, the comparison with a luxury sedan is not an option. But in this 170 hp version, systematically equipped witha double-clutch robotic transmission, driving pleasure is real.

The gearbox smooths out each gear change, the torque available from low revs ensures more than adequate liveliness for “take-off”, the mechanical soundproofing is neat and the behavior remains safe.

We even find ourselves exceeding the speed limits, unwittingly, on expressways where diesel is never lacking in enthusiasm.

The latter also sees his diet stabilize around 2,450 rpm at 130 km / h, which gives it a certain sobriety. And, thanks to its 80-liter tank, coffee breaks are more frequent than refueling.

In addition, if it is necessary to adapt its behavior to preserve the comfort of the passengers, this Trafic shows an astonishing handling despite some movements of body, proving even rather dynamic.

And the defects of the road are well absorbed, without any resonance box effect, often found in utilities, appearing.

The mechanical range of this passenger transport version also counts a 150 hp diesel engine and is available in an extended version (+ € 1,200), increasing the total length from 5.08 meters to 5.48 meters.

There remains the question of the price, set at more than € 50,000 (without options) in our trial version, with an extended wheelbase. A pretty price, but rather well placed when comparing the endowment to that of potential competitors from across the Rhine.

Renault Trafic SpaceClass test – our opinion:

Without being badged Mercedes or Volkswagen, this Trafic offers services of comfort having nothing to envy to those of its German rivals, and a roominess which is superior to them.

It lacks only motorized sliding doors. In addition, French is pleasant to drive, soft, comfortable and efficient.

WE love

Habitability and modularity
Presentation and proposed equipment
Performance and approval

We like less

Use of options advised
No electric side doors
Malus XXL

Technical sheet (Renault Trafic SpaceClass dCi 170)

Engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder diesel, turbo, 16 valves, common rail, Stop & Start, 1,997 cc³
Transmission: traction, robotized with double clutch, 6 speeds
Power (hp @ rpm): 170 to 3,500
Torque (Nm at rpm): 380 to 1,500
Empty weight (kg): 2 146
Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 5,08×1,96×1,97 (5,48×1,96×1,97 en L2)
Wheelbase (m): 3.10 (3.50 in L2)
Turning diameter (m): 12.4 (13.8 in L2)
Max speed (km / h): 186
0 to 100 km/h (s): 10 ”6
Standard tires: 215/60 R 17
Test tires: GoodYear Efficient Grip cargo
Conso. Mixed WLTP (l / 100 km): 7.1 to 8
Conso. during test (l / 100 km): 9.2
Tank (l): 80
CO₂ (g / km): 186 to 208
Malus: € 7,851 to € 20,396
Safe at 7 (l): 1,800
Elbow width AV / AR / AR2 (cm): 164/167/162
Country of manufacture: France
Warranty: 2 years / 100,000 km
Fiscal power: 9 CV
Base rate: € 49,100 (dCi 170 EDC)
Price of the tested version: 56,350 €

PROPOSED RANGE (Renault Trafic SpaceClass)

Diesel, from 150 to 170 hp, from € 45,900 to € 50,300

AVAILABLE OPTIONS (Renault Trafic SpaceClass)

Signature Pack (2 individual sliding and swiveling seats at 2^th row + front side airbags + heated front seats + front and rear parking sensors + reversing camera): € 4,000
Easy Drive Plus pack (lane departure warning + blind spot monitoring + autonomous urban emergency braking + automatic switch from headlights to low beam): € 1,400
Drowsiness detection: 250 €
Front and rear automatic air conditioning with additional boiler: 700 €
Front passenger bench with storage under the seat: 200 €
Smartphone charging by induction: 200 €
Reinforced battery: 70 €

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