Renault has added the new Symbioz SUV to its global line-up. The model, which focuses on large families and practicality, gets a petrol-hybrid powertrain and sits between the smaller Captur SUV and larger Austral SUV in the French firm’s combustion-engined line-up, making it a direct rival to the Nissan Qashqai SUV.
- Symbioz shares platform with India-bound new Duster
- Shares design with the international-spec Renault Captur
- Powered by 1.6-litre petrol and two e-motors making a combined 145hp
Renault Symbioz design highlights
The Symbioz was developed alongside the Captur, but is intended to fill a different market need. This is the same platform that will underpin the upcoming new Renault Duster SUV in India, its Nissan derivative, the new Renault Bigster three-row SUV and its Nissan cousin for our market. Additionally, the Renault-Nissan alliance is also working on a Creta EV rivalling SUV based on the same architecture for India.
The Symbioz is 4,413mm long, 1,797mm wide and 1,575mm high. For comparison, the Captur is 4,227mm long, while the larger Austral measures 4,510mm. The shared development with the Captur can be seen from the near-identical front design; the only difference being the pattern worked into the grille. As with other new Renault models, many of the design details reflect the diagonal shape of Renault's logo. While the front is nearly identical to the Captur, the designers had more freedom with the rest of the SUV, creating flowing side panels and a bespoke rear end that includes sculpted lights featuring a 3D ‘ice cube’ effect. Entry-level cars sit on 18-inch wheels; pricier ones get 19-inchers.
Renault Symbioz interior highlights
The cabin features the same dashboard as the Captur, which includes a portrait-oriented 10.4-inch touchscreen running Renault’s Google-based OpenR Link infotainment system.
The rear seats can slide 160mm backwards, meaning the SUV can offer up to 221mm of knee room or expand the boot capacity from 492 litres to an impressive 624 litres – which rises to 1,582 litres with those 60:40-split seats folded down. The range-topping variant gets a Solarbay sunroof, which uses automatically tinting electrochromic glass in place of a blind. This is currently offered only on the electric Scenic.
Renault Symboiz: powertrain options
At launch, the sole powertrain option will be Renault’s E-Tech Full Hybrid 145 system, which combines a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a multimodal automatic gearbox, two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery; total combined outpout is 147hp.
Renault India plans: 2024 and beyond
Renault currently sells the Kwid, Triber and the Kiger in our market. The brand will introduce the all-new Duster and more models from 2025.
Also see:
New Renault Duster, Nissan SUV India line-up to be petrol-only
Renault Kiger likely to get a sporty variant
