Suzuki Ertiga vs Renault Trafic Passenger

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Suzuki Ertiga in South Africa

Suzuki Ertiga

1.5 GL AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 363,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 138 Nm ⛽ 15.4 km/l
VS
Renault Trafic Passenger in South Africa

Renault Trafic Passenger

Techno+ Diesel 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,049,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 125 kW 🔧 380 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Ertiga vs Renault Trafic Passenger: the short answer

Trafic Passenger has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ertiga remains close.

Ertiga starts ZAR 675,099 cheaper Ertiga from ZAR 304,900 · Trafic Passenger from ZAR 979,999

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Ertiga Trafic Passenger
Maximum Power Ertiga77 kW @ 6000 rpm Trafic Passenger125 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque Ertiga138 Nm @ 4400 rpm Trafic Passenger380 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size Ertiga1462 cc Trafic Passenger1997 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Ertiga15.4 km/l Trafic Passenger13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Ertiga180 mm Trafic Passenger199 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Ertiga

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Trafic Passenger

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Ertiga

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Trafic Passenger

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Ertiga Trafic Passenger
Model Introduced Year 2019 2026
Generation Second generation on HEARTECT-derived extended platform with 2,740mm wheelbase specifically for 7-seat layout; K15B engine consistent across second-generation Ertiga globally Current long-wheelbase nine-seat Trafic Passenger introduced to the South African retail range in 2026 with 125 kW Blue dCi power and EAG9 automatic transmission
Facelift History Second-generation Ertiga launched in SA in 2019; updated specification in 2022 added improved infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; GL AT variant added to expand automatic lineup Current Trafic face and smart-cockpit specification with three South African grades: Evolution, Evolution+ and Techno+
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style MPV MPV
Color Note Pearl Arctic White, Premium Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Pearl, Oxford Blue Metallic -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment MPV Large MPV
Tare Mass Kg 1165 kg -
Vehicle Type MPV MPV
Spec Ertiga Trafic Passenger
Length 4395 mm 5480 mm
Width 1735 mm 1956 mm
Height 1690 mm 1973 mm
Wheelbase 2740 mm 3498 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 180 mm 199 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 153 l 1890 l
Kerb Weight 1165 kg 2160 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1680 kg 3070 kg
Payload Capacity 550 kg 910 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 2500 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 9 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 3 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 6.9 m
Front Headroom 995 mm 1019 mm
Rear Headroom 990 mm 1060 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1028 mm
Rear Legroom 935 mm 930 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Ertiga and Trafic Passenger comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Ertiga 29 vs Trafic Passenger 55.

Efficiency index: Ertiga 59 vs Trafic Passenger 55.

Safety-equipment index: Ertiga 86 vs Trafic Passenger 90.

Practicality index: Ertiga 55 vs Trafic Passenger 88.

Ownership-cover index: Ertiga 71 vs Trafic Passenger not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Trafic Passenger leads by 14 points

Trafic Passenger has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ertiga remains close.

Evidence leader 73 /100
Lead 14 points
Data 81% source coverage
73
#1 Evidence leader

Trafic Passenger

81% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 90 Check Performance 55
Performance 55
Efficiency 55
Safety 90
Practicality 88
Leads by 14 points
59
#2

Ertiga

92% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 86 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 59
Safety 86
Practicality 55
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Trafic Passenger +26 Efficiency Ertiga +4 Safety Trafic Passenger +4 Practicality Trafic Passenger +33

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Trafic Passenger

Performance 55/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 90/100
Practicality 88/100

Ertiga

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 86/100
Practicality 55/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Renault Trafic Passenger leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts vs 59 pts for Ertiga

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Trafic Passenger leads. However, Ertiga may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Ertiga vs Trafic Passenger questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.