Renault Symbioz | Test Drive

Words Tommaso Mogge / Photos Bartolomeo Lazzarini

The rule is incredibly simple. Crossovers sell like fresh bread in the early morning, so it is better to make sure your customers are spoiled for choice rather than looking to the competition for the one variant that, coincidentally, you happened to be missing. This must be what Renault had in mind when it introduced the Symbioz: the millionth model which, upon closer inspection, actually makes sense within the crowded lineup of the French brand, now definitively comfortable with a higher level of market positioning.

In this specific case, the starting point is the new Captur, whose platform and cabin are reworked to provide a longer rear section, more in line with the traditional proportions of an SUV. That said, the Symbioz wisely retains the overall dimensions of what we might call its smaller sibling (the Captur), confirming itself as an excellent and agile solution for urban traffic. There are four doors and five seats, with the rear ones being quite comfortable. The luggage compartment offers 492 liters of capacity (or 1,582 liters with the rear seats folded), along with a double floor that is useful for stowing extra items. Unlike the Captur, which is available with petrol, hybrid, or even LPG engines, the Symbioz is currently offered only as a Full Hybrid, powered in our case by a 1.6-liter petrol engine paired with two electric motors: one assisting the driven front axle and one dedicated to the robotic transmission.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the Symbioz looks fresh and incorporates all the styling cues of Renault’s contemporary design language, with a road presence enhanced by a substantial front end and a side profile featuring large 19-inch wheels. As mentioned, there are no major surprises inside, where we find an ergonomic cabin with numerous storage compartments, a practical gear selector placed on the central tunnel that does not clutter the area to the right of the steering column and two digital displays: a configurable instrument cluster and a 10.4-inch touchscreen offering flawless smartphone connectivity and Google Maps integration for consistently accurate navigation.

The Symbioz is a car designed with practicality in mind. The different driving modes focus on fuel savings (Eco) or sharper throttle response (Sport), without ever aspiring to outright performance. The transmission favors a relaxed driving style and can also take advantage of Brake mode to intelligently recharge the lithium-ion batteries and cover a few kilometers with zero emissions. Overall, the driving experience mirrors that of the Captur — calm and reassuring — and the range is impressive, allowing nearly 1,000 km on a full tank of fuel. This once again highlights how hybrid technology can be incredibly more convenient than full electric, but also more so than a traditional diesel. Prices for the Symbioz start at around €28,000, roughly €4,000 more than the entry-level Captur. From there — as always — it is easy to climb quickly by ticking boxes for more powerful engines and richer trims. In the broader scheme of things, however, the Symbioz stands as a more affordable and compact alternative to the excellent Austral, which remains one of the models I consider fundamental for the brand.