Renault Symbioz 2026: hybrid small SUV rival to the Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-30 debuts in Australia

---

Australian Renault importer, Ateco, has confirmed it will launch a mild- and plugless-hybrid rival to the Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross, known as the Symbioz Hybrid. 

The forthcoming Symbioz is slated to debut in July. It will span three grades with two separate powertrains – a base model Techno MHEV from $36,990, Techno HEV from $42,990, and range-topping Esprit Alpine HEV from $45,990. Prices shown are before on-road costs.

Touting European design and a healthy baseline of equipment, the Symbioz will predominantly contend middle-market small SUVs like the $37,440 Toyota Corolla Cross, $34,360 Mazda CX-30 and $33,990 Skoda Kamiq. 

Renault’s base model Symbioz employs a 104kW / 245Nm 1.3-litre turbo ‘four mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. It promises a combined fuel consumption of 6.4L/100km thanks to “12-volt microhybridisation” and drinks 95-Octane petrol. 

It is unclear if Renault’s micro-hybrid system supports stop-start, coasting, or regenerative braking. 

The full-hybrid Symbioz grades use a more powerful, 116kW / 265Nm 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated ‘four paired with a four-speed automatic and, strangely, a two-speed electric motor. 

The system is Renault’s first series-parallel hybrid – an efficient plugless design also seen in several Toyotas and Hyundais – and supports electric-only driving at speeds up to 60km/hr, regenerative braking and EV-coasting.

Both grades of Symbioz HEV claim a combined fuel consumption of 4.7L/100km, with the system demanding a minimum of 95-Octane dinosaur juice. The HEV uses a 1.4kWh battery built with 230V architecture and boasts a combined driving range of 1000km WLTP.

All Symbioz variants, regardless of powertrain, are front-wheel drive. 

The forthcoming small Renault SUV measures 4412mm long, 1797mm wide, and 1567mm tall, driving on a 2639mm wheelbase. Boot space is quoted as 563-litres for the MHEV and 460L for the HEV. 

Highlight standard equipment for the Renault Symbioz Techo MHEV and HEV includes:

• LED brightwork
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Four driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart)
• Heated power-fold side mirrors
• Heated steering wheel
• Sliding rear seats 
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.4-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless device charger
• Four x USB-C sockets
• Arkamys six-speaker audio
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear tinted ‘privacy’ glass

While the range topping Esprit Alpine HEV gains features such as:

• 360-degree camera
• Hands-free parking
• Powered tailgate with hands-free opening
• Electronic-adjusting heated front seats
• Harman Kardon nine-speaker audio
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Esprit Alpine performance seats (front seats embossed with logo)
• Esprit Alpine aluminium front door sill covers
• Seatbelts with blue highlights
• Steering wheel red, white and blue stitching
• Alloy pedal covers

All models additionally offer a comprehensive suite of safety features including six airbags, lane-keep assist, auto AEB, blind spot monitoring, parking sensors and more, and offer a five-year / unlimited kilometre warranty, with a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high voltage hybrid battery. 

Renault Symbioz 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Techno MHEV: $36,990
• Techno HEV: $42,990
• Esprit Alpine HEV: $45,990