Renault Triber
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | India |
| Parent | Renault |
Renault Triber
The Renault Triber is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) equipped with three rows of seats, manufactured by the French carmaker Renault through its Indian branch, Renault India. It was officially introduced in India on 19 June 2019 and became available for purchase in August 2019. Built on the Renault–Nissan CMF-A+ platform, the Triber is aimed at the budget-friendly family MPV market.
Guided by the design expertise of Laurens van den Acker, the Triber is powered by a 999 cc B4D inline-three petrol engine that produces 53 kW (71 hp). Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed Easy-R automated manual gearbox. The vehicle sports a compact yet roomy 5-door wagon configuration with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive setup.
Its principal measurements include a wheelbase measuring 2636 mm, an overall length of 3990 mm, width of 1739 mm, height of 1643 mm, and a curb weight close to 947 kg. Within Renault’s Indian lineup, the Triber competes directly with models such as the Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kwid.
Development
The Triber was developed under the internal code "RBC" and shares the CMF-A platform with the Kwid. Nevertheless, over 90% of its components are unique to this model and not shared with other Renault or Nissan vehicles, reflecting its larger footprint within the CMF-A platform range.
Laurens van den Acker, Groupe Renault’s Corporate Design head, referred to the cabin as a "miracle," emphasizing its ability to accommodate three rows of seating within a sub-four metre length. This was accomplished by reducing the bonnet and engine bay size, which restricted engine options to smaller petrol units. The vehicle’s width stretches , optimizing interior space—particularly in the second row that comfortably fits three passengers. The extended wheelbase combined with minimized overhangs boosts interior length to roughly 3 metres. The second-row seats come with reclining and split-folding capabilities, while the third row includes dedicated air conditioning vents, armrests, and charging ports. Removing the third-row seats increases boot capacity by up to .
One notable engineering focus was enhancing third-row headroom, often constrained by rear hatch hinge designs. To address this, the rear roofline is elevated to provide more vertical space and accommodate roof-mounted AC vents; this raised section is subtly concealed by roof rails.
The Triber adopts a faux-crossover aesthetic that imparts a robust appearance and places it within the SUV category—a segment favored by Indian buyers who appreciate elevated driving positions and higher ground clearance.
Triber Express
In 2022, Renault introduced the Triber Express in South Africa—a light commercial vehicle variant that omits rear seating and incorporates a steel cargo cage accessible via tailgate or rear doors. This version supports a load volume of and a payload capacity of .
2025 facelift
On 23 July 2025, Renault unveiled an updated Triber model featuring redesigned headlights and taillights, an optional beige interior color scheme, an improved climate control interface, and wireless smartphone charging functionality.
Powertrain
The Triber is equipped with an enhanced version of the Kwid’s 999 cc BR10 three-cylinder petrol engine, generating at 6,250 rpm alongside torque at 3,500 rpm. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual gearbox. A compressed natural gas (CNG) variant is anticipated to launch by December 2024.
Export markets
Renault distributes the Triber to emerging markets with right-hand drive configurations, including countries like Indonesia and South Africa. The vehicle made its Indonesian debut on 12 July 2019 and was presented at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show during the same month, where it garnered more than 1,000 reservations. Customer deliveries commenced in March 2020. The RXZ variant available in Indonesia is distinguished by exclusive 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. Subsequently, the model was introduced in South Africa in February 2020.
In July 2022, after an absence of nine years, the Triber returned to the Brunei market, offered exclusively in the RXZ trim.
Safety
| Global NCAP ratings (2021) | |
| Adult occupant rating | Template:Rating |
| Adult occupant score | 11.62/17.00 |
| Child occupant rating | Template:Rating |
| Child occupant score | 27.00/49.00 |
Tested in its basic safety configuration—featuring two frontal airbags and lacking ISOFIX anchor points—the Indian-built Triber underwent evaluation by Global NCAP in 2021. It achieved a four-star rating for adult protection and three stars for child safety. During the frontal impact test, the passenger compartment showed instability, though intrusion into the footwell area was minimal. The rear-facing Q1.5 child dummy attained maximum points, whereas the forward-facing Q3 dummy’s head movement exceeded acceptable limits, indicating less effective protection. Recommended child restraint systems included the Britax BabySafe Group 0+ and Britax Duo Plus Group I, both installed using three-point seatbelts due to the absence of ISOFIX fittings on base models.
In India, dual frontal airbags are standard equipment on the Triber, with optional side torso airbags available; however, ESC is not offered. Not every seating position is equipped with three-point Seat belts or headrests. ISOFIX mounting points are restricted to higher-end trims.
The version sold in Africa was awarded two stars for both adult and child safety by Global NCAP in 2024, referencing results from Latin NCAP conducted in 2016.
Sales
| Year | India sales figures |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 24,142 |
| 2020 | 38,906 |
| 2021 | 32,766 |
| 2022 | 31,678 |