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
(overseas model shown)
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
