New Renault Triber : The 2021 Renault Triber has brought the game of value a notch-or-two higher, in a body style that is not only unique but its also near unbeatable for the toss-up between four-metre compactness and true seven-seat ability!
This intelligently thought package is testimony to Renault’s acknowledgement of value-consciousness of the Indian market and the critical aspects of larger families struck with budgetary constraints.
Design Evolution
The new Triber continues to have a unique silhouette, but gets some subtle changes to its details which make it look sharper.
The front profile gets new chrome studded grille which blends with projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights that gives a more organized look than before.
The bumpers are updated with more defined lines and a more conspicuous silver skid plate accentuating its crossovers intentions.
Once profiled the intelligent packaging of the Triber becomes evident with a deceptively long 2636mm wheelbase extracted from the sub-four-metre length.
Stepped roof with useful roof rails, character lines that are strong, lines that are different, and new 15-inch alloys endow a sense of proportionate purposefulness that?s good to see, given the challenges of having to fit three rows of seats in such a compact overall length.
Cabin Innovation
The best part of the Triber is its interior, highly impressive in terms of space utilization, it effortlessly holds seven people, without making you claustrophobic.
The cabin uses a bright color theme with dashboard and door panels featuring hexagonal patterns for a modern, breezy feel.
The reworked instrument binnacle is now wider and sports a bigger multi-information display that is flanked by a pair of analog dials, but it’s the cabin’s 8-inch angle-display touchscreen that’s the real tech-talking point here.
The real magic is in the flexible seating configuration, with the second-row seats sliding, reclining and folding in a 60:40 split and the third row completely removeable to make a cavernous 625 litres of cargo space.
This ‘EasyFix’ system means the Triber is letting us carry passengers one minute, cargo the next, and it’s hard not to love the genius of the solution across such varied demands.
Performance Considerations
It’s powered by Renault’s 72 HP 1.0-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, which generates 96 Nm (71 lb-ft) of torque.
The rather modest engine intends to be frugal rather than powerful and claims a fuel efficiency of 19 km/l with the 5-speed manual and 18.2 km/l if opting for the automated manual transmission (AMT) option.
The engine’s nature is acceptable for city commuting when not above half load, but overtaking needs a bit of organising – especially if fully laden.
The clutch pedal in the manual is light and the gear shift feel is precise, which when combined with the AMT (available on the K10) rids all of you of the hassle in traffic, at least in the city, but the shifts aren’t smooth, something no one’s going to complain about considering the positioning of the car.
Driving Dynamics
The Triber’s road behaviour suggests that it has been carefully calibrated for Indian conditions, with the suspension setup doing a fine job of soaking up road imperfections without too much body movement.
Its 182mm of ground clearance also ensures broken roads are dispatched with confidence and the electric power steering is weighted just right for easy manoeuvring around town.
Stability on the highway is actually rather impressive for something this big, although at higher speeds it exhibits a little crosswind sensitivity, which is inevitable given the height of the body.
Noise isolation is improved over the outgoing model, but the engine is audible when pressed, especially in lower gears.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Leading Seating Flexibility in sub-4m segment
Real seven-seater with practical third row
Big load bay with removable third row
Tidy storage compartments all around cabin
For the price, it is a solid buy
Decent fuel economy for a seven seater
4-Star Global NCAP safety rating
Limitations
Somewhat underpowered, especially with a full load
AMT gear change is highly visible
Simple NVH shielding, especially at higher speeds
Fewer features than we’d like for a $50,000-plus five-seater
The third row is not easy to get into
Lack of wide network of service centers compared to mainstream market competitors
Not everyone will like the polarizing exterior styling
New Renault Triber: Market Position
The updated Triber serves a unique slot in India – a segment-first – delivering unrivalled versatility to budget-minded buyers who don’t need often to carry seven, but who also don’t want to jump to a substantially larger and more expensive MPV than really fits their needs.
The Datsun might arguably come closest on paper, but the Triber’s superior execution and thoughtful touches push it into a different league.
For those who have a rupee-aired mindset, and demand the most out of their hard earned money, the Triber is a clever answer between a hatchback and an MPV.
It’s typical of Renault, who have an innovative approach to the Indian market, identifying gaps in the market and targeting the missing consumer needs, rather than rehashing the Mundial makers’ platforms with token attention to local needs.
