Renault Symbioz - your next family crossover?

• New Renault Symbioz arrives with £29,295 price tag
• It’s a hatchback-SUV crossover to compete with the Nissan Qashqai
• Full hybrid powertrain will return up to 60 mpg
• Sliding rear bench of seats unlocks enormous 624-litre boot

There’s a new family crossover in town - the stylish Renault Symbioz.

And the self-charging hybrid is ready to take on the very biggest hitters on the market.

The Symbioz was revealed earlier this year and it has now arrived in the UK proper, priced from £29,295 to purchase outright and with deliveries expected in September.

It’s a family-friendly hatchback-SUV crossover that’ll go toe-to-toe with heavyweight competitors like the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan.

And while it’s swimming in crowded waters, the Symbioz has plenty going for it.

Firstly, it’s a self-charging full hybrid. The ‘E-Tech’ system marries a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 39 kW electric motor, 18 kW HSG (High-voltage Starter Generator) and a 1.2 kWh battery to offer power of 145 hp.

Acceleration is sprightly, with the Symbioz reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 10.6 seconds.

But where the Symbioz really impresses is with fuel economy, as the powertrain returns up to 60 miles to the gallon while keeping CO2 emissions as low as 105 g/km.

When it comes to the Symbioz’s size, it slots into Renault’s range betwixt the smaller Captur and larger Austral. It lives by Renault’s ‘voiture à vivre’ - aka ‘cars for living’ - philosophy, so the Symbioz needs to be practical.

To that effect, one of the Symbioz’s party pieces is that it gets a sliding rear bench of seats that unlocks up to 624 litres of boot space in the back, which is cavernous.

There are three trim levels to choose from - Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine. And the good news here is that even the entry-level Techno variants come dripping in kit as standard.

You can expect 18-inch alloys, dark tinted rear windows, wireless phone charging, a 10.4-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display. The ‘OpenR Link’ infotainment system also comes with Google services fully built in, so you’ll have all your favourite apps at your fingertips. Those base Techno models also come with a full suite of driver assistance and safety systems, including adaptive cruise control and active emergency braking.

The Techno Esprit Alpine grade adds larger 19-inch alloys, an uprated interior, heated front seats and a hands-free electric tailgate, among other things.

Meanwhile range-topping Iconic Esprit Alpine variants boast a ‘Solarbay’ glass panoramic roof, which goes from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, as well as a 360-degree camera, hands-free parking tech, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

A Renault spokesperson tells us: “Symbioz embodies the best of Renault’s latest C-segment vehicles in terms of modular design, connectivity and efficiency. It has all the qualities necessary to appeal to both families and businesses looking for a level of electrification, while keeping a firm hold on total ownership costs.”

Keep checking back for leasing prices, which should be available imminently.

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