car tests

Larger Captur

We could keep this review short by saying that the Symbioz is simply a larger Captur. Indeed, from the front, it looks like two drops of water like its popular brother. But it is bigger: it is 18 centimeters longer. Those extra centimeters are not in the wheelbase – which is the same as the Captur – but all the way in the back. Its butt is larger, resulting in nearly 500 liters of luggage space, a big increase over the Captur’s 400 liters.

Tighter and tougher

Yet the Symbioz is not simply a copy of the Captur. From the B-pillar up, everything looks different. It has a tighter roofline, “unique” rear doors and a rear end that looks a bit like that of the new Renault Scenic. The result? A tough, sleek look that still makes it stand out in Renault’s crowded SUV lineup.

Sliding rear seat

Inside the Symbioz, there are few surprises. The wheelbase is the same as that of the Captur, so don’t expect oceans of space in the second row of seats. Fortunately, just like in the Captur, you can slide the rear seat. Handy if you want to choose between more legroom or more space for luggage. There are modern USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket.

What is special – and what you can’t get in a Captur – is the huge panoramic roof. It cannot be opened, but it does have a cool high-tech feature: at the push of a button, the glass becomes frosted or transparent through crystals in the roof that react to electricity. We previously saw this only in luxury cars from brands like Porsche and Audi – and in Renault’s top model, the Rafale – but now it’s also in an attainable Renault.

google

The interior of the Symbioz will probably also look familiar to you, as it is copied almost one-to-one from the Captur. So it is not the very latest interior, but the infotainment system with Google software makes up for that. It lets you use Google Maps, Spotify and all sorts of apps from the Google Play Store. Google Maps also appears on the screen behind the wheel, something only cars with Google software can do. Our Esprit Alpine version also features a sporty touch with blue details and small French flags. A nod to Alpine, the sports car brand and F1 team of the Renault Group

Powertrain: smooth and economical

The Symbioz has the familiar E-Tech Full Hybrid 145 powertrain under the hood, familiar from the Captur and Clio. That means a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, two electric motors, two gearboxes and a small battery pack that combine to provide a remarkably smooth and economical ride. During our week of testing, we achieved consumption of 1 in 20, without trying too hard. It’s not a plug-in hybrid, but you can drive electric for small stretches.

Late switching

A minor drawback is the automatic transmission, which sometimes seems to shift a bit slowly. As a result, the gasoline engine lingers a long time in the revs, which feels a bit strange – after all, you learned in driving lessons to change gears in time. But the Symbioz does that for a reason: the engine generates power at that moment and then shuts off, after which the electric motors take over. It takes some getting used to, but the result is impressive: low consumption.

Smooth

The electric motors, when allowed to get going, also make for a nice smooth driving experience. They are actually always running, making the Symbioz feel surprisingly smooth. The suspension also helps, as it is tuned sportily. Especially when cornering, you notice that it lies firmly on the road. You can drive it more sportily than you might think when you see it like this. Fortunately, this is not at the expense of comfort, because that too is fine.

Conclusion

With the Symbioz, Renault offers an attractive option in the SUV segment. It combines ample luggage space, a modern infotainment system and an economical powertrain with a recognizable and sleek design. Not looking for a completely new experience and groundbreaking innovations, but a fuel-efficient and practical SUV? Then the Symbioz is definitely worth considering. Starting at 34,490 euros, you get a complete and capable SUV that does exactly what you expect from it – and sometimes just a little more. In the video below we tell you more.