Handsdown Honest and Well sorted product, Priced impeccably.
Visited the Gurugram showroom on the launch day and came back thoroughly impressed with the offering at this price-point.
They did not have the TD vehicle ready at that time, so, reserve my comments on the performance. My humble observations:-
- Typical sharp Renault styling ala Captur and Kwid, but with some new flair.
Halogen Projector headlamps are standard through the range and the DRLs are placed in the fog-lamp housing (no fogs though).
Cladding provided on the front, back and wheel arches, the one on the side is wafer thin, almost sticker like.
- Does not look sub 4m at all! Due to the flowing designs, even the 14" (165/80) Tyres don't look puny. (Suzuki should take some cues for the fender claddings).
Do checkout the LR Defender styled stepped roof, which houses the rear AC Vents and liberates head-room for the 3rd row.
- Rear also gets the scuff plates like the front and almost a flat rear-end.
'Eagle-eye' split tail lamps break the monotony.
Minimal Chrome on the stock vehicle, but they do have a 'Chrome' Package mentioned on their web-site for people looking for Bling!
- The vehicle inside the showroom was carrying that package. Again see the stepped roof and muscular detailing.
Actually, in darker colors the bonnet and roof creases appear more appealing.
Blue is the color for MPVs these days! ( eh.. XL6?)
- Doors open at a nearly a 90 degree angle. Dual tone themed cabin looks relatively premium.
- On the inside it really is a spacious 3 seater for a large family. Climbed directly to the last row to check out the Triber's USP.
Full marks to Renault for carving out the space. The flexi-seating is not a marketing gimmick and is quite easy to use.
The seats though are on a slimmer side.
- Good headroom and the option to remove and stow away seats is so smart, really.
- Check out the Adjustable headrests on the rear 2 rows and fixed grab-rails on all 3.
Rear gets adjustable roof mounted AC Vents and a charging socket.
- And how does one control the air flow? a switch mounted between the front two seats. French Quirks!
Also, notice the air cooled storage box instead of centrally mounted AC Vents for the rear 2nd row passengers.
- They get cooling from the pillar mounted vents. Notice the extra long door open lever (it is noticeably long on the outside too) and the pull up door locks.
The middle row can recline and slide. Lovely to have that when used as a 5 Seater.
Also see the Speaker cover design, Attention to details is evident. Sound quality is ok with 4 speaker and 2 tweeter (front) set-up.
- Controlled via a 8"inch touchscreen display. Software is on par with competition and provides Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Video playback facility.
Really liked the door-unlock toggle located below the display, fitted like a lambo!
Gets push button start and a suave card shaped key. Also see the fabric seats with textured finish, they have good side bolstering.
- The front seats also house the Side Airbags. Plus 10 for safety
But, being built to rather attractive cost, there are some handicaps like single nozzle air spray mounted on the bonnet, some hard plastics, low res instrument cluster screen, no AMT, no BS6, pseudo McPherson Front struts etc. But overall fit and finish levels are great.
- Split tail lamps in action and the subtle Chrome package detailing. The rear door part houses the reverse lamp and the red area seems to be the reflector.
- Do note that the top-end vehicles do not have the dual tone alloy wheels as seen in all the marketing campaigns and even in the brochure too. They are an accessory.
- Other cool and quirky accessories seen on the Web-site
Loaded version! Graphics and Carry On. The roof-rails did not seem to be that sturdy though.
Illuminated gear lever, wouldn't it be great if the selected gear also gets a different color
If the regular IRVM is plain jane for you!
Wonder how the ORVM LEDs get connected to the blinker circuit.
- To sum up, the TRIBER leaves a good first impression. But, the elephant in the room i.e. the 999cc engine and its performance would need to be checked too. However, as mentioned earlier too, many underpowered cars have happily chugged on Indian roads for long.
For an outdoorsy family, At this price (7.3lacs Onroad! for the Top-end), it is really a steal.
Let's go camping!! GO TRIBER!!