Renault Triber first drive review: The most VFM car in India?
The most affordable MUV in the country gets a mid-life update. Has it just received a pretty face, or is there more than meets the eye?;
The MUV caters to a different niche of customers who want practicality out of the car - Shot by Shubham Hadke for evo India
The Indian automotive industry is in a phase where consumers are shifting towards more premium cars and SUVs. The age-old requirement of cars as transport from point A to point B has evolved. Style has entered the equation. That, mind you, is not what the Renault Triber is about. This MUV caters to a different niche of customers – who still look for maximum practicality and value in their car and don’t really care what’s under the hood. In fact this is the first car brochure I have come across that does not even mention its engine specs. That may be because it houses a 1-litre, 3-cylinder nat-asp engine that delivers 71bhp and 96Nm. But hey! This thing starts at just ₹5.76 lakh and goes up to ₹8.6 lakh, aided by the new GST slabs.
Renault Triber facelift features
This update includes frills like an 8-inch infotainment display with an updated UI and wireless Android Auto and CarPlay (wired earlier), digital instrument cluster (TFT earlier), cooled storage space, wireless charging, keyless entry (which is extremely convenient as the car locks and unlocks based on the proximity to the key), push button start and, second and third row AC vents. Not included in this list is a sunroof, because this car’s modified CMF-A platform was designed to be light and practical, and would not be able to support it. Though this lightness also keeps the overall weight of the car to 947kg and allows it to be fairly fuel efficient with ARAI figure claiming 20kmpl with the manual.
Renault Triber facelift engine and performance
It’s safe to say that we are not expecting a lot of performance. 0-100 comes up in 17.4 seconds with the 5-speed manual. The other option of transmission is the AMT, available only on the top trim. The steering is very light and makes it very easy to use in the city, but nervous on the highway. The brakes work well in city speeds but emergency braking from high speed isn’t as confidence inspiring on those weedy tyres. The suspension does well to deal with rounded speed breakers but thuds loudly on sharp potholes. Overtaking the traffic requires working on the gears to keep the revs in the power band. In all, it’s best within the city and a handful on the highway. Why not fit a turbocharger and give it some more grunt you ask? “Accommodating a turbo would have compromised the cabin space, the very USP of the vehicle” – Renault’s official quote.
It houses a 1-litre, 3-cylinder NA petrol engine that delivers 71bhp and 96Nm - Shot by Shubham Hadke for evo India
Renault Triber facelift space and practicality
And that is what this vehicle is all about – space, practicality and most importantly, value. This 7-seater is a model of value for money proposition. The boot space is 84-litres with all the seats up – that’s not a lot. But like most MUVs you can fold the third row down to make space; unlike most MUVs though, you can remove the third row entirely and convert it into a furniture gobbling 625-litre boot. The seating is impressive. While the second row slides and reclines, it can crowd the third row when fully pushed back. However, you can easily find a comfortable compromise for everyone by sliding the middle row to the center of its range. It is a good time to mention that this is a sub-4m car, pretty much the same length as that of a Skoda Kylaq.
Renault Triber facelift verdict
Beyond the tech upgrades, the Triber facelift introduces a refreshed bumper, grille, and taillamps, all centered around the new Renault logo. It is undeniably smarter and more modern. Ultimately, the Triber isn’t for those seeking a status symbol; it’s for those who need a tool. It is less an extension of one's lifestyle and more an extension of what is possible, on a budget.