Review of the Renault Symbioz

The Renault Symbioz marks a notable entry into the hybrid family SUV market, designed to compete with well-established rivals like Nissan and Volkswagen. Renault positions the Symbioz as a spacious, efficient, and tech-packed option, aiming to attract UK families looking for a versatile crossover that balances practicality with eco-friendliness.

Rivals to the Renault Symbioz include the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq.

Our Renault Symbioz review covers:

• Modern design with sharp lines and a bold stance
• Spacious and flexible interior that’s airy and well laid out
• 492-litre boot, expanding to 1,582 litres with rear seats down
• Hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with electric motors
• Three trim levels are available: Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine

Pros:

• Fuel Efficiency
• Spacious Interior
• Advanced Technology

Cons:

• Average Performance
• Delayed Gearbox Response
• Firm Ride on Larger Wheels

The design of the Renault Symbioz is a real head-turner, with its sharp lines, bold front grille, and dynamic stance. Its exterior echoes Renault's latest design language, featuring sleek headlights and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The overall look is sporty yet sophisticated, giving it a strong road presence. Available in several trim levels, from Techno to Iconic Esprit Alpine, each version adds unique touches, like larger alloy wheels or subtle Alpine branding, to enhance the car's visual appeal​.

Inside, the cabin continues the theme of modernity and practicality. The dashboard layout is clean and minimalistic, with a focus on technology. Soft-touch materials, paired with thoughtful detailing, create a comfortable environment for both the driver and passengers. Though it doesn’t aim for premium luxury, the quality feels solid and durable, perfect for withstanding the rigours of everyday family use​.

One of the standout features of the Renault Symbioz is its practicality. This SUV was designed with families in mind, offering ample room for passengers and luggage alike. The rear seats provide excellent legroom, and the sliding rear bench allows for extra flexibility. This feature lets you either increase rear legroom for taller passengers or maximise boot space depending on your needs. The layout and the space distribution in the cabin make it ideal for daily commutes, school runs, or even longer road trips. The driving position is elevated, offering great visibility, and there are plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin for smaller items, making it practical for busy family life.

The Renault Symbioz also excels in terms of boot space. With the rear seats in their standard position, the boot offers a generous 492 litres of space, perfect for carrying shopping, luggage, or sports equipment. However, by sliding the rear bench forward, you can expand the boot capacity to an impressive 624 litres, which is more than enough for most family needs. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or just running daily errands, the Symbioz can accommodate all your cargo without fuss. For additional practicality, the boot opening is wide, and the low load lip makes it easy to pack and unpack items.

The Renault Symbioz 2024 offers a well-thought-out interior, packed with modern technology and quality materials that suit UK family needs. The interior of the Renault Symbioz is both spacious and sophisticated. A central feature is the 10.4-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, which uses Google’s built-in services like Maps and Assistant, providing seamless integration for navigation and media without needing to connect a smartphone. The system is intuitive, allowing drivers to access key functions without distraction. Paired with a 10.3-inch digital driver display, the technology inside is modern, ensuring that everything from speed to fuel levels is clearly visible.

Renault has made sure that comfort isn't compromised. The seats are supportive and designed to be both durable and stylish, featuring a mix of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The quality doesn’t quite reach luxury levels, but it is well-suited for everyday family life. The layout is clean and easy to navigate, ensuring a smooth experience for the driver and passengers.

The Renault Symbioz is available in three trims: Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine.

Techno

The entry-level Techno trim is priced attractively and comes with a solid set of features, making it ideal for those who want modern technology without a hefty price tag. Some of its key features include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• The 10.4-inch Google-based infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Adaptive cruise control for a smoother driving experience on longer journeys.
• Wireless smartphone charging, ensuring your devices stay powered up without the need for cables

Techno Esprit Alpine

Moving up to the Techno Esprit Alpine trim introduces more design elements and added technology, ideal for those who want a sportier look. It includes everything from the Techno, plus:

• 19-inch Elixir alloy wheels, which give the car a more striking appearance on the road
• Heated front seats for added comfort during colder months.
• An enhanced driving experience thanks to lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring, adding extra layers of safety.

Iconic Esprit Alpine

At the top of the range is the Iconic Esprit Alpine, which packs in even more technology and luxury features. This trim is designed for those who want the most from their Symbioz, and it includes:

• Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering a superior audio experience, perfect for music lovers
• The innovative Solarbay panoramic sunroof, which offers varying levels of transparency to control the amount of light in the cabin at the touch of a button
• A 360-degree parking camera and hands-free parking, making manoeuvring in tight spaces much easier.
• Solarbay sunroof and Harman Kardon sound system are exclusive to this trim, making it ideal for those looking for the highest level of tech and comfort

The Renault Symbioz 2024 offers a refined hybrid powertrain and a comfortable driving experience, tailored to modern UK motorists who value efficiency, practicality, and a smooth ride. At the heart of the Renault Symbioz is its 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, forming a full hybrid system that delivers 143bhp. This powertrain is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which balances power with fuel efficiency. The hybrid setup enables the Symbioz to achieve an impressive 60.1mpg, making it an economical choice for daily commutes and longer drives.

In terms of acceleration, the Symbioz can go from 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds, which is respectable for a family SUV, though not the fastest in its class. Its top speed reaches 106mph, giving it enough capability for motorway driving. However, the focus of the Symbioz is not on outright speed but on providing a smooth, efficient, and comfortable ride.

The Symbioz offers a relaxed and comfortable driving experience, particularly in urban environments where its hybrid system shines. At low speeds, the electric motor takes charge, offering near-silent, emissions-free driving, ideal for city commutes. When the petrol engine kicks in, it does so smoothly, although some drivers may notice a slight delay in the transmission when accelerating harder, particularly on motorways.

The steering is light, making manoeuvring in tight city streets and parking a breeze. While the steering feedback is not particularly engaging, it suits the Symbioz’s family-friendly character. The suspension is well-tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps and potholes efficiently, though it can feel slightly firm when fitted with the larger 19-inch wheels.

On the motorway, the Symbioz remains composed, though the engine can sound a bit strained during overtaking. That said, it’s more than adequate for most drivers who value comfort and fuel efficiency over performance thrills.

The Renault Symbioz is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of Price On Request*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £180.92.

If you're considering leasing a Renault Symbioz, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).

Leasing a Renault Symbioz can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.

It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.