We savour the Symbioz E-Tech – the newest addition to Renault’s rising SUV line-up…
Slotting between the Captur and Austral crossovers within the Renault vary, the complete hybrid Symbioz successfully replaces the Kadjar.
Competitively-priced from £29,295, it has its work reduce out as a result of it’s up in opposition to among the UK’s hottest household automobiles, together with the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage. Hyundai Tucson and Skoda Karoq.
The enticing Symbioz is about the identical dimension as a Qashqai and shares styling cues with the newest Captur.
Inside, it definitely has a Renault feel and appear with a portrait-orientated 10.4-inch infotainment show in the midst of the dashboard, a ten.3-inch driver’s digital show and a big steering wheel. Beneath the touchscreen, there’s a row of local weather management buttons and area to retailer your cellphone.
The infotainment system makes use of Google software program, so Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play are all out there. Should you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, each join wirelessly.
Total, the sprint is effectively laid out and intuitive, however possibly lacks the wow issue of some rivals.
The cabin as a complete is properly put collectively and the standard of the supplies used is nice, with loads of soft-touch surfaces larger up.
There’s a formidable quantity of area too, so adults can sit comfortably within the rear seats. It additionally has a sliding rear bench to assist maximise boot area, so it’s attainable to release 624 litres (492 litres usually), rising to a helpful 1,582 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded down.
Renault additionally says it has 24.7 litres of space for storing contained in the cabin, together with seven litres within the glovebox alone.
Beneath the bonnet, the Symbioz makes use of the identical ‘145’ hybrid set-up as its SUV siblings – the Captur and Arkana.
In different phrases, there’s a 94bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine working along with two electrical motors, a small 1.2kWh battery and a six-speed computerized transmission (truly a four-speed gearbox and extra ratios courtesy of the twin electrical motors).
In complete, the complete hybrid system (no plugging in) produces an honest 143bhp and energy is distributed to the entrance wheels (there’s no all-wheel drive possibility).
Renault claims a 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds, financial system of as much as 60.1mpg, low CO2 emissions of 107g/km and a possible vary of 630 miles on a full tank.
Curiously, it makes use of a predictive hybrid driving operate, which maximises use of electrical enhance over combustion energy for decrease gas consumption
As you’d anticipate, the seating place is on the commanding aspect and there’s loads of adjustment. Entrance and aspect visibility is nice, nevertheless it’s a bit extra restricted to the yr. That mentioned, a rear-view digital camera is customary, upgraded to 360-degree view digital camera on the highest trim stage – Iconic Esprit Alpine (the 2 others are Techno and Techno Esprit Alpine).
The Symbioz all the time begins in electrical mode and it’ll toddle alongside like this for a short time earlier than the petrol engine kicks in pretty seamlessly. It should additionally briefly drop into EV mode at decrease speeds.
Push on, particularly in Sport mode, and the engine will make itself recognized. What’s extra, the gearing is lengthy and it tends to carry a gear for longer than obligatory, and generally there’s a hesitancy on kickdown.
On the entire, it really works effectively and it’s an enchancment on CVT hybrids the place uncomfortably excessive revs are triggered in case you do something aside from potter about.
The Symbioz feels somewhat quicker than the official figures counsel, particularly off the road, whereas the steering is gentle and exact, and the brakes are unusually progressive for a hybrid.
It additionally scores effectively in the case of dealing with. The suspension is on the exhausting aspect, but it offers with the lumps and ruts effectively, the tyres supply loads of grip and it delivers tidy physique management.
So, there’s some enjoyable available, however it’s at its finest cruising alongside on quicker roads, and nipping round city.
Finally, the well-equipped Symbioz has so much going for it – even when the traces are blurred between it and the its similar-sized SUV hybrid siblings.
Verdict: Should you’re on the lookout for a cool, frugal full hybrid that’s straightforward to drive, sensible and may ship a real-world 60mpg on lengthy runs, plus worth for cash, the Renault Symbioz ought to undoubtedly be in your shortlist.
Renault UK
