We have seen in-vehicle camping modules of all styles and sizes through the years, however a brand new mannequin from Renault would possibly simply take the cake because the sleekest, lowest profile camper dice on the market. And it helps create one of the vital versatile every day driver-cum-camper vans out there. The module takes up minimal trunk house and ensures that each one seven seats stay in place, whether or not tenting for every week or finishing the every day back-and-forth. Renault calls the ensuing Trafic Escapade a “cocoon on wheels,” and we might say it is a powerful mild camper van that may simply outplay the Volkswagen California Seaside on its residence courtroom.
Renault previewed the latest Trafic Escapade mannequin this previous weekend forward of a deliberate launch in 2026. The “Escapade” title shouldn’t be fairly as recognizable as “California” or “Nugget,” nevertheless it is not model new, both. Renault launched it to the third-generation Trafic lineup in 2017 as a trim for the SpaceClass premium passenger van it debuted on the identical time. The Escapade was refreshed with different SpaceClass fashions in 2021.
Renault
The brand new 2026 Escapade takes a step towards changing into a extra full camper van because of the addition of the compact camper field it carries within the load space. The little dice incorporates a main higher slide-out housing a single-burner fuel range and collapsible sink basin, each with lids. A separate sprayer attaches to the 5-L water canister inside the bottom of the module to offer clear operating water for laundry fingers and dishes.
Renault
The addition of that dice transforms the Escapade from its conventional design as a lightweight sleeper van/MPV with mattress to a easy however full camper van with kitchen, mattress and eating house. Even the highway authorities acknowledge the distinction, as fastened kitchen gear (mixed with the eating desk the Escapade already had) clears it for registration as a camper as a substitute of a passenger car.
Past the kitchen dice, the rest of the van carries over the present Escapade format with its rear seating bench that folds down right into a mattress stretching the width of the cabin, second-row swivel seats that mix with the rear bench to create a eating lounge, and stowable central desk splitting these two seating rows. The van affords a complete of seven seats, providing the flexibility to serve seamlessly as a high-capacity MPV in the course of the week.
Renault
Renault already affords a extra full Trafic pop-up camper van within the SpaceNomad it launched in 2021 to compete with Volkswagen’s full-fledged California camper van trims. The brand new Escapade replace positions it to higher compete with the California Seaside, the lightest model of VW’s iconic camper van, which added a kitchen choice in in 2019 and a revised slide-out tailgate kitchen fairly just like Renault’s design in 2024.
Not like with the California Seaside, there isn’t any point out a Trafic Escapade pop-up sleeper roof, which suggests sleeping capability is proscribed to 2 adults. Whereas a drawback at camp, the shortage of sleeper roof maintains the van’s inventory top and makes for a lighter, stealthier camper design prepared to higher function an on a regular basis MPV. Including to that benefit is the seven-seat format that continues to be in place whereas tenting; the Seaside solely affords 5 seats when specced as a full camper with kitchen or six when constructed as a two-sleeper MPV with pop-up sleeper roof, no kitchen.
Renault
Just like the California lineup, the Escapade comes up empty in the bathroom division, a shortcoming some RVers might be unwilling to miss. Nevertheless it does supply loads of house to retailer a porta-john within the two-thirds or so of trunk space that continues to be empty subsequent to the kitchen dice.
Renault plans to supply the Escapade in two separate trim ranges and two lengths. The bottom powertrain might be a 150-hp Blue dCi engine with guide transmission, and the top-tier choice might be a 170-hp Blue dCi with nine-speed computerized.
Renault debuted the up to date Escapade on the Van Life Expo in Bordeaux, France over the weekend. It would announce pricing data nearer to European-wide launch in early 2026.
Supply: Renault
