New Renault Symbioz 2024 revealed: better than a Nissan Qashqai?

• New Renault Symbioz revealed
• Funky-looking family MPV
• Google-based infotainment system
• Class-leading boot space
• Same hybrid engine as the Captur
• Expected to start from around £30,000

The new Renault Symbioz 2024 is here to provide an alternative to the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. It shares a lot of parts with the smaller Renault Captur, including that car’s hybrid engine.

You can order your Symbioz in July this year and, while prices are yet to be confirmed, expect it to start from around £30,000. The question is, would you buy this or a Qashqai?

New Renault Symbioz design

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the Renault Symbioz has a bit more je nais se quois than the Nissan Qashqai.

It shares more or less the same front end design as the recently-revised Renault Captur, and this is no bad thing. The sleek LED headlights and arrow-shaped daytime running lights lend the car a thoroughly modern appearance, while the blanked-off grille looks contemporary as well.

Similarities to the Captur disappear when you look at the car side on. It doesn’t have the traditional SUV proportions of a Qashqai or Kia Sportage, it looks more like an MPV with its short bonnet and boxy roofline.

You get funky-looking 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, and the rear end is highlighted by some slim LED tail lights. It’s an imposing looking thing, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether it’s better-looking than a Qashqai.

New Renault Symbioz interior and infotainment

Unfortunately, the new Symbioz doesn’t get the same swanky interior design of cars like the Renault Austral or Scenic. It uses the same basic cabin as the Captur which, while it looks smart enough, isn’t quite as eye-catching as the Qashqai’s.

You do get a larger infotainment screen than the Nissan though at 10.4 inches, and it has Google services built in. This means you have Google Maps, as well as Google’s voice assistant for controlling certain functions in the car.

Where the Symbioz has alternatives well and truly beaten is in the boot, because it has a whopping 624 litres of space. That’s 120 litres more than a Qashqai has to offer, and it’s even marginally up on the cavernous Hyundai Tucson’s 620 litres.

New Renault Symbioz engines and driving

The new Renault Symbioz uses the same E-Tech hybrid engine as the Captur, meaning you have a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor to make 145hp.

It always starts off in all-electric mode, meaning you can waft around town at low speeds in silence. This all helps towards fuel economy. While the figures haven’t been finalised just yet, Renault expects this car to return around 60mpg. That’s around 6mpg more than a Nissan Qashqai E-Power can manage.

It’ll be a few months before we can get behind the wheel of the Symbioz, so check back later to see how it compares to alternatives out on the road.

Renault Symbioz price and release date

Pricing hasn’t been announced for the new Renault Symbioz just yet, you’ll have to wait until the order books open in July to find out the cost. We expect this car to start from around £30,000 though, which puts it roughly in line with the Nissan Qashqai.

So the question is, is the Symbioz better than a Qashqai? Well it’s a bit too early to answer this question for now as we haven’t driven the Renault, but with its massive boot and funky styling it’s off to a good start.

Renault Symbioz alternatives

Can’t wait for the new Renault Symbioz? Here are a few alternatives to consider.

1) Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai has been a go-to SUV for families for years now, and it’s easy to see why. It offers great value for money thanks to a blend of generous equipment levels, decent interior space and a comfortable driving experience. There are cars out there with bigger boots, though.

2) Kia Sportage

Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty is a huge selling point for the Sportage, as is the plush interior and spacious boot. It doesn’t have as much capacity as the Symbioz, but it’ll be plenty big enough for most people and it has spacious back seats as well.

3) Ford Kuga

What if having fun behind the wheel is a key factor? Well the Ford Kuga is an SUV which can put a smile on your face when the going gets twisty. The interior may not be as plush as some alternatives, but at least it’s packed with tech and the plug-in hybrid gets decent all-electric range.

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