It’s true, the Renault Oroch is not even close to the first monocoque double cabin pickup in history. Before, there were some models like Hond Ridgeline or Subaru Baja and even the Chevrolet Avalanche. All born with the idea of offering a vehicle that combines the comfort and handling of an SUV, with the practicality of having a punt. With a more recreational approach than pure and hard work.
However, none of these trucks have managed to impact the market. And it is that even before Leandro Colombato and Adolfo Felippa created Oroch, there was a huge gap in the market that no one had thought of filling.. On the one hand, there were small models such as the Volkswagen Saveiro and FIAT Strada/RAM 700, with the next step being medium trucks such as the Nissan NP300 or Toyota Hilux.
Thus, when the Oroch 2016 was presented (anticipated since 2014), it was immediately a great success for the diamond firm. Its penetration was such that shortly after the then FCA (today Stellantis) launched the FIAT Toro/RAM 1000 at the same time that several companies showed interest in joining the nascent segment, being Chevrolet with its reimagined 2023 Montana, the last to arrive. But even the momentum of a segment that was born in the south of the continent was enough for models like Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz to appear in the north.
With all this, Renault could not take lightly the renewal of its compact pickup, which had to be updated, improved and refined, without giving up its essence that made it so successful. Have they hit the nail on the head with the Oroch 2023? Join me to discover this and all its secrets in the following in-depth test behind the wheel of the Outsider 1.3 L Turbo CVT.
It is no longer a Duster with a punt
The past Oroch was a direct derivative of the Duster and he had no qualms in denying it. In fact, in most of the countries where it was sold, with the exception of Mexico, it was known under the official name of Duster Oroch.
However, for this deep update, Renault decided to distance itself by dispensing with the nickname Duster and just name it as Oroch to dry, at the same time, that the design stops being a decal to have its own personality both outside and inside. But let’s go in parts.
Aesthetically, itThe Renault Oroch 2023, is distinguished by the new grille, translucent taillights with a smoke finish and newly manufactured fenders. To this, we must add that the Outsider version adds some hallmarks such as the front ski, auxiliary fog lights, as well as the protection kit for the fenders and the respective allusive anagrams. This without forgetting them 16” two-tone aluminum wheels with diamond finish. Also to highlight the new bars on the roof that support up to 80 kg, the San Antonio Outsider bars and the already classic canvas on the tray.
In essence, the design language is a direct evolution of the previous model and marks a distance from Duster that took another path. In fact, this trend is also transferred to the interior, which, although it still shares some elements with the SUV, boasts a completely different design.. This is where the greatest distance is definitely kept.
Plastics in general are hard and are more designed to resist. I won’t lie to you, they’re not great quality, but they definitely feel a lot better than the previous model. The visual touch comes from some metallic finishes in air vents, air conditioning elements, gear knob, steering wheel and door handles.
There are also orange details on the board, a tone that, by the way, we also find in the seams of the doors and seats, elements that, by the way, are lined in an elegant gray fabric. The leather cannot be missing on the multifunction steering wheel and the gear lever.
the button shop, It is generally very Renault and various controls, such as the handbrake, audio controls, among others, are already fully known in the brand. For this version we have an 8″ touch screen with wireless replication of Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, sensors and reverse camera. It is located in the upper part of the dashboard in “tablet” format.
Curiously, this frees up the place where the sound system is located in the Zen finish, leaving a practical cargo area. The bad thing is that it does not have a non-slip surface and anything you put there risks ending up on the floor.
Having entered ergonomics, I believe that everything is close to our hands and is easily located. Only the button for the turn signals, small, in the middle of the insurance and the Eco button, it hides more than we would like. Another detail we didn’t understand was the location of the emergency tool, which is literally under the passenger seat.
Regarding the interior space, we have that, thanks to its monocoque construction, it is good and close to larger segment models, although it is also a pickup and that means that you will not travel as peacefully in the rear as in Duster.
By the power of the turbo
Before, the engine offer only consisted of the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated, but now, like Duster, it is possible to choose between a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated and a 1.3-liter turbo. The latter, in charge of giving life to our Renault Oroch 2023 test
Power is 154 hp, but the real gain comes from 184 lb-ft of torque. This is a 42-pound difference from the previous model. The transmission is a CVT automatic with a simulated 8- speed.
As it is easy to intuit, it is much faster than before, although, do not get excited, it is not a sports car either, but it is definitely agile. More than enough to travel on the highway or easily move the 680 kg of cargo that it announces.
You may think that the handling is very similar to that of Duster, but the reality is that I felt them, different. And it is that this pickup is separated for two important reasons. The incorporation of an independent rear suspension, as well as the off-road profile tires. Ironically, it feels robust and ready to tackle potholes, bumps and even medium-difficulty dirt roads, but at the same time, you have more control when cornering.
Renault Oroch driving assistance is limited to cruise control with regulator and speed limiter, traction and stability control, as well as hill descent control. The brakes with ABS and EBD, as well as the ISOFIX anchors could not be missing. The downside is that it only has two airbags. This is his weak point. By the way, speaking of security, in this test I was accompanied by my dog Romina, who traveled with her respective seat belt.
Real fuel consumption test
As is the custom in Autocosmos, we submit to the Renault Oroch 1.3 L Turbo 2023 to a test of fuel consumption in real conditions. The rules, you already know:
It was given a use like the one you would give it on a day-to-day basis. A mixed route was drawn up that would allow us to face the heavy traffic of Mexico City, while driving on the highway, without neglecting the journey through secondary and tertiary roads.
The only determining factor was not to drive at a speed that endangered our lives or that of the other drivers around us, without this meaning refraining from overtaking. In fact, on the highway the average speed was approximately 120 km/h. The air conditioning was on most of the time. The test was carried out with a bicycle in the raft.
We traveled a total of 169 km, for which 12.3 liters were necessary. This gives us a combined performance of 13.7 km/l. Not bad considering the good dynamic performance that it boasts. Just as a cultural fact, the official figure provided by Renault in the mixed cycle is 16.7 kilometers per liter.
Is the 2023 Renault Oroch Outsider Turbo a good buy?
for now, With a price of $475,900 pesos, the new Renault Oroch Outsider Turbo 2023, with a CVT box, is alone in the market. It’s bigger and more powerful than the RAM 700, but smaller and less refined than the Ford Maverick. However, that will change over the next year, as Chevrolet confirmed that the Mountain It will arrive in Mexico and it will be until then that this compact pickup will have a frontal rival.
Undoubtedly, the Oroch 2023 is a great evolution compared to its predecessor. Its mixed personality, between family, personal, adventurous use and light work, make it a very practical vehicle. However, we would have liked at least the Outsider versions to have more airbags. If so, we would be talking about a great product.