The Symbioz arrives on the driveway with the enthusiasm of a substitute teacher taking over a class that really, really liked the old one. In this case, that substitute has to follow ‘my’ beloved Renault Rafale: the modern Safrane, the car that confused the public, delighted the faithful, and somehow made me feel like a minor French dignitary every time I drove it.
So yes, the Symbioz has its work cut out. It’s not meant to replace the Rafale in spirit or status, but if you live with something for months and develop feelings you can’t explain to non-French-car people, comparisons happen whether Renault likes it or not.
And on first acquaintance, the Symbioz doesn’t so much shout for attention as quietly slip into the room, apologise for being late and ask where it should sit. Renault’s SUV range is now so crowded that the Symbioz risks being elbowed aside by its own siblings, and from certain angles – particularly the front – it’s basically a Captur wearing platform shoes. Tom Wiltshire even labelled it ‘an estate version of the Captur’, which is either damning or accurate. Probably both.
But Renault loves a practical, slightly oddball family car, and the press release leans heavily on heritage by referencing the Renault 16 and the original Espace. Say “Renault 16” to me and I’m immediately picturing plush cloth seats, a hatchback before hatchbacks were cool, and the faint smell of a Gauloises smouldering in the ashtray.
The Symbioz first surfaced in 2024, but this is the lightly-freshened 2026 edition. Under the bonnet lives a new 1.8-litre petrol engine (158bhp), paired with a slightly beefier hybrid system and a bigger battery. There’s a new motorway mode in the transmission that promises quieter cruising, though you’d struggle to get excited about it unless your hobbies include gear ratios. There’s also a new e-shifter, which looks nice enough but mainly exists to remind you that Renault once spent a ridiculous amount of time and money on the Avantime's double-folding door hinges, and we're unlikely to see such madness again.
‘Mine‘ is the flagship Iconic Esprit Alpine trim, so that's Baccara to us. Equipment levels are satisfyingly excessive: twin big screens, Google built-in, a Harman Kardon hi-fi, ambient lighting that makes the interior look like a nightclub in Lyon, and the Solarbay opacifying roof, which is still one of Renault’s best modern inventions (until it goes wrong). There’s heated everything, a hands-free keycard (a tiny dose of Laguna nostalgia) and precisely one option: Iron Blue paint. That’s it. Renault has finally made a new car that you can configure in less time than it takes to find a parking space at Carrefour.
Practicality is one reason you might choose the Symbioz over the Captur. The sliding rear bench is a lovely nod to Renaults of old – a bit Twingo, a bit ZX (yes, Citroën, but still French and therefore allowed). Slide it forward for a massive 624-litre boot, slide it back for legroom rivalling a Vel Satis. It’s clever, flexible and exactly the kind of feature mainstream buyers will never notice but Petrolblog readers will coo over. Less impressive: no rear armrest and no cupholders. A family SUV with nowhere for back-seat drinks? That’s very Renault – almost reassuringly so. I'm surprised it doesn't have manual rear windows, Safrane Executive trim style.
The car arrived at a chaotic time, so the Symbioz was thrown into service immediately: Exeter, Bristol, endless A-road trundling, M5 stretches, hospital car parks, and the sort of suburban crawling that makes you question your life choices. I racked up nearly 3,000 miles in a matter of weeks. And here’s the thing: it’s been faultless. Around 55mpg, quiet on the motorway, and so undramatic to drive that it lets you think about more important things and not worrying about Bristol’s Clean Air Zone.
Is it a step down from the Rafale? Of course it is. The Rafale had presence, soul, charisma – it was a Safrane for the 2020s: exclusive, misunderstood, slightly absurd. The Symbioz is smaller, more sensible and (whisper it) a bit ordinary. But it’s also easier to park, easier to drive economically, and feels absolutely unshakeable when you need a car to just get on with it.
My only real complaint so far is the reversing camera, which looks like it’s being broadcast from a Sega Dreamcast.
First impressions? Quietly positive. Sensible, dependable, practical: a Captur with a bit more brain and a bit more boot. But can it do enough to stand out in Renault’s overcrowded SUV school photo? We’ll find out over the next few months.
What the professionals say about the Renault Symbioz
Petrolblog is running the Renault Symbioz for Diesel&EcoCar magazine until the middle of April 2026, so get in touch if you have any questions or would like any specific information on the car.
Stay tuned for the first update. In the meantime, here are some quick reviews from the proper websites, along with the price, performance and economy figures.
- Autocar: Despite a few rough edges, the Symbioz is a refined, spacious and well-priced family-focused mid-size SUV
- Auto Express: The Renault Symbioz is an attractive offering for family buyers, and should be a very easy car to live with – 4 (out of 5)
- Carwow: The Renault Symbioz is practical and super-efficient, but unless you need the extra boot space you’d be better off with a Captur – 8 (out of 10)
- Heycar: Smart and economical new Qashqai rival – 7 (out of 10)
- Honest John: Strong value, excellent economy, a smart cabin and perfectly acceptable ride and handling make for a capable all-rounder, with just a hint of style – 4 (out of 5)
- Parkers: The Renault Symbioz is a mid-size hybrid family SUV that may seem a bit superfluous when you first glance its way – 4 (out of 5)
- Top Gear: The Symbioz is a perfectly fine family runabout, but lacks a little sparkle in an ever-crowded sector – 6 (out of 10)
- What Car?: The Symbioz is a compact family SUV that’s keenly priced and offers impressive efficiency – 2 (out of 5)
Renault Symbioz E-Tech hybrid 160 Iconic Esprit Alpine specification
Price: £33,795
Price as tested: £34,545
Options: Iron Blue metallic paint £750
Engine: 1798cc 4-cylinder turbo, petrol, plus two electric motors
Battery: 1.4kWh
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (four gears plus two additional motors)
Max power: 158bhp
Max torque: 260Nm
Max speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 9.1sec
WLTP range: 683 miles
CO2: 96g/km
Fuel economy: 65.7mpg
Insurance group: 20
