Renault Symbioz E-Tech long-term test | Making a good impression

‘Bums on seats’ is a common phrase among manufacturers wanting to persuade people of the quality of their products, and – in the majority of cases – it is a very effective marketing tactic.

Take me and our Renault Symbioz E-Tech Hybrid long-term test car, for example.

I’ve spent short periods of time with some of the brand’s latest models, read the reviews and seen the awards – including the Megane being named best compact car and Renault Group winning the most improved fleet manufacturer at this year's Fleet News Awards – so I know that Renault has taken some huge strides forward in recent years.

But taking on our Symbioz long-term test car is the first time I’ve spent an extended period with a Renault for a while, and it’s giving me a proper opportunity to examine and understand its depth of talent.

First impressions are really positive. Our test model is in the range-topping Iconic Esprit Alpine and the exterior is striking, particularly in the ceramic grey metallic paint (a £650 option) of our model.

The cabin design has also received plenty of praise from passengers. Early highlights are the 10.4-inch portrait-mounted infotainment touchscreen, the supportive Alpine front seats and the electrochromatic sunroof.

There is also plenty of room inside for passengers, while the materials used and quality of build are decent.

On the road, the overall experience has also been good so far. I’m still getting used to the way the 1.6-litre E-Tech hybrid and transmission works, as it often seems to put me in too low a gear for the speed I’m doing, so it runs at unnecessarily high revs for seemingly no reason.

It doesn’t seem to be at the expense of efficiency though. According to the trip computer I’m regularly achieving 55mpg or more, not far from the official WLTP figure of 60mpg.

This is something I’ll be keeping an eye on in the coming months, with a detailed and more accurate brim-to-brim test fuel economy test to follow.

It’s still early days in our long-term test, but the early signs are very promising.

Renault Symbioz E-Tech Hybrid joins our fleet

When the Kadjar was discontinued in 2022 there seemed to be a glaring gap in Renault’s line-up. The newly-launched Austral was larger and more upmarket, while the Captur sat in the segment below and the Arkana’s coupe shape didn’t benefit practicality.

With mid-size family SUVs being the most in-demand models, it’s no surprise that Renault decided to introduce the Symbioz. The decision has paid off quickly, because in the first quarter of 2025 it has already become the brand’s second best-selling model and its strongest performer in the true fleet market.

In the hierarchy of Renault’s powertrain technology, the Symbioz sits at the bottom rung. It’s equipped with the 1.6-litre E-Tech hybrid engine from the Clio and Captur, rather than the more advanced 1.2-litre turbocharged hybrid unit found in the Austral and Rafale. There's no electric or plug-in hybrid option, either.

As such, it’s not very expensive. The model range starts at £29,295 and our Iconic Esprit Alpine model costs £33,295.

Our car is the range-topper, sitting above Techno and Techno Esprit Alpine, but all Symbioz models get a decent array of kit as standard. The Iconic Esprit Alpine stands out with an electrochromatic sunroof, surround view camera and a Harman Kardon sound system. We’ve also got keyless entry, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and heated front seats.

Everything the modern motorists needs, then.

The Renault’s powertrain comprises a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors, a small battery and a complicated automatic transmission to tie them all together.

The upshot is excellent efficiency. For what is, essentially, a petrol SUV, the official 60mpg is not to be sniffed at. CO2 emissions of 107g/km help to keep the company car tax costs down, too.

Since joining our fleet, the Symbioz has made a positive first impression. It features the same eye-catching design language as the Scenic, packs in impressive technology and is proving easy to live with.