It’s always reassuring when you finally find your tribe. Even more so when you find the perfect car for you and the gang to go gallivanting in. It’s just a happy coincidence that it’s called a Triber.
The Renault Triber first made landfall in SA in 2020 and has since been well received, with 30,000 units sold locally to date. Part of the appeal has always been its attractive price tag, its modular design, which allows for a lot of cargo loading options, and the fact that it manages to squeeze seven passengers into a vehicle that is less than 4 m long (which is also, incidentally, why it’s been a firm favourite with e-hailing taxi owners). Many of these Tribers can be found in KZN, so when it came time to launch the second iteration of this MPV, Renault headed to Durban to hang with its tribe.
REFRESHED AND READY
The new Triber benefits from a refreshed sporty SUV-inspired look (which also brings it in line with Renault’s new design identity), with Renault’s new brand ID emblazoned on the tailgate, a new piano black grille, sculpted bonnet design, redesigned bumpers, advanced LED projector head lamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lamps, and new LED tail lamps. The interior benefits from new upholstery options, a snazzy dual-tone dashboard with integrated 8” floating touchscreen display and a cooled centre console and lower glove box. A wireless charger, a belongings-takeaway reminder, and a rear-view camera are also nice-to-have new additions.
For added peace of mind, for you and your tribe, the new Triber boasts additional safety features, including six airbags as standard across all variants, and a segment-first front parking sensor.
Sadly, the new additions haven’t been continued under the bonnet, where the same 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the previous model does duty, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, or an optional five-speed AMT on the top-spec model. With a max power output of 52 kW and 96 Nm of torque, this engine has always been underpowered, especially with all seven seats occupied. Though we didn’t test-drive the new model at the launch, one would expect a similar result.
LAST WORD
It hasn’t deterred Triber fans in the past, though, so it’s unlikely to be a sticking point with the new model. And, besides, there are far more exciting numbers to focus on than the power output. The two most impressive being that the new Triber has substantially elevated its offering with no fewer than 31 new features across the range. And even more amazing is that the entry-level Triber Evolution MT is priced at only R218,999, which is made all the more astounding by the fact that it is R10,000 cheaper than the outgoing entry-level Triber while boasting 13 more features than its predecessor!
Those are the numbers that are likely to talk to South African customers. And to their tribes – who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself and your tribe in a new Triber soon.
PRICING: RENAULT TRIBER
Renault Triber 1.0 Evolution – R218,999
Renault Triber 1.0 Techno – R233,999
Renault Triber 1.0 Iconic manual – R249,999
Renault Triber 1.0 Express panel van – R249,999
Renault Triber 1.0 Iconic auto – R259,999
Report by NICKY FURNISS | Images © RENAULT SOUTH AFRICA
