hybrid SUV for people who love their family

We can well imagine that you have lost your way a bit in the Renault range. The C-segment used to be nice and clear: Volkswagen had the Golf, Opel the Astra and Renault the Megane. Nowadays you will no longer only find hatchbacks in this class, but also – or in some brands only – various crossovers and SUVs. Renault is certainly no exception…

Renault Symbioz: dimensions and stablemates

With its length of 4.41 meters and starting price of 36,490 euros, the Symbioz is clearly above the Captur, but it is close to the Scenic (4.47 m, from 42,470 euros). Although the latter is fully electric, while the Symbioz has a plug-free hybrid powertrain. Its turbo-free 1.6-liter four-cylinder and electric motor together generate 143 hp.

But how does the Symbioz compare to the Austral E-Tech Hybrid? It also has a hybrid drivetrain, but the electric motor is accompanied by a blown three-cylinder 1.2, good for a combined power of 200 hp.

The fact that the Austral is 6,500 euros more expensive than the Symbioz seems to be due more to the 67 hp extra power than to its 10 centimeters greater length. But Renault makes it extra difficult for its potential customers by Renault Austral also available as a mild hybrid, with 130 or 160 hp. The cheapest version is only 1000 euros more expensive than the Symbioz.

In short, salespeople must do their homework to convince showroom visitors of the most suitable car. And then we leave out the coupe-like SUVs Rafale (from 46,420 euros) and Arkana (from 34,120 euros).

Well represented

Let’s just say that Renault is well represented in the C-segment. That’s quite smart considering that 39 percent of European new buyers shop in this class.

What do they get if they choose the Symbioz? According to Renault, the ideal family car with a refined design. In our opinion, a friendly-looking crossover that will not offend your neighbor aesthetically. The newcomer is not very distinctive, Renault paid too much tuition for that with the Vel Satis and Avantime.

The most striking design is reserved for the large alloy wheels: 18-inch is standard, from the Esprit Alpine you drive around on a special-looking 19-inch. If you look closely, you will see several half-Renault logos in the nose, both in the grille and in the daytime running lights. The back exudes little brand identity. The tweaked taillights could also be from a Kia, Seat or Skoda.

Renault Symbioz-interior met My Safety-toets

From behind the wheel you look out at a digital instrument cluster and the vertical central display that is familiar from Renault. In the Symbioz this is based on Google, so every Android child can do the laundry. Just shout ‘Hey Google’ and the car will fix everything for you; not only route guidance, but also the climate control setting. The next step is for the system to find you the perfect marriage candidate with whom you can start the ideal Symbioz family.

Below the screen you will find a row of beautiful, comfortable buttons for those who prefer to take (climate) control themselves. You can adjust the audio settings as usual with the well-known Renault satellite on the right of the steering column. To the left of the steering wheel you will find the My Safety button, with which you can switch all interactive safety systems on and off. That makes a difference of about twenty-three.

Hybrid powertrain of the Renault Symbioz (2024)

The fact that Renault is mainly targeting families with children with the Symbioz is not only reflected in the space available. You also feel it when you’re behind the wheel. The 143 hp that the turboless petrol engine and its electric partner generate is far from shocking. With an acceleration time from 0 to 100 in 10.4 seconds, the Symbioz hopelessly loses out to the Renault Scenic (8,6 s).

Don’t think that the Symbioz is a slow diver; it moves more than smoothly in traffic and yet it is nice and economical. According to the WLTP test cycle, it is satisfied with 4.7 l/100 km (1 in 21.3), in Dutch practice we expect to be able to achieve at least 1 in 18.

If your children are big roller coaster fans and have a very strong stomach, choose the sports mode in the My Sense menu. This makes the throttle response slightly more direct and the car pulls longer in the eight automatically selected gears.

The hybrid drivetrain is a lot quieter and more refined than we remember from previous Renault models, although communication between the engines and the transmission still seems to be a bit difficult on roundabouts. We occasionally feel a moment of doubt and delay there.

The car is in any case foreign to real sportiness or sharpness. The steering is also level, although the car never gives you the feeling that you are traveling on a container ship. The sound comfort is excellent, especially when driving away and during the first quiet kilometers, which the Symbioz always covers electrically. The chassis is also remarkably quiet, there is hardly any tire noise and the suspension and damping show their compliant side on bumps.

Sliding rear seat

In the meantime, we wonder what the Symbioz’s great urge for innovation is. According to Renault, it has the same DNA as the old 16, which in 1965 was the first large middle class car with a fifth door and front-wheel drive. This spacious and comfortable family limo had a unique, sliding and extensively adjustable rear seat for that time, and it drove exceptionally well due to its engine located behind the front axle and all-round independent wheel suspension.

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Okay, just like its distant ancestor, the Symbioz has a sliding rear seat. This allows you to vary the luggage space from 492 to 624 liters, and the legroom of the rear passengers from excellent to zero. But that is no longer innovative. The electrochromatic panoramic roof (additional charge of 1,500 euros) with four settings (from completely transparent to blackout) is very modern, but we also saw that in the Scenic and the Renault Rafale.

Renault has not been stingy when it comes to safety systems and the heavily decorated Iconic version is even packed with (29) electronic guard dogs. This includes the Occupant Safety Exit system. This ensures that you do not hit cyclists with the door on the bricks when getting out. But we certainly don’t think the Symbioz is as groundbreaking as the R16 once was.

Conclusion

The Renault Symbioz is not giant step for car kindHowever, it is a very successful family car. It combines a lot of comfort and space with an economical drivetrain, a reasonable weight and nice equipment. The Symbioz will certainly find its way among competitors such as the Toyota Corolla Cross (from 36,995) and the Kia Niro Hybrid (from 34,495 euros).