Renault has confirmed the Symbioz small SUV will arrive locally later this year, bringing the French brand’s latest mild- and full-hybrid tech Down Under in a new-to-Australia nameplate.
The announcement follows the model’s recent appearance in Australian Government certification documents, and confirms the Symbioz will be Renault’s newest small SUV to go on sale here since radio silence fell on the arrival of the facelifted Captur.
As such, it seems likely the Symbioz will be Renault Australia’s indirect replacement for the Captur, which remains available here in the form of the Mitsubishi ASX.
Renault says the Symbioz will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2026, before which pricing and full specifications will be announced.
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“We know not everyone wants to drive a ‘same-same’ SUV and we know this car will earn its place in this market,” said Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey.
“We have worked very hard with the factory to ensure the new Renault Symbioz is well equipped, delivers excellent real-world fuel economy, and will be available at an attainable price point.”
Initial specifications confirm that the Symbioz will be offered in Australia with both mild- and full-hybrid powertrains, and will sit below the fully electric Scenic E-Tech, which was launched last month.
Mild-hybrid (MHEV) variants will utilise a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 104kW of power and 245Nm of torque, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’ll almost certainly be front-wheel drive, with overseas info suggesting 12-volt MHEV assistance.
Full-hybrid variants, meanwhile, get a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 80kW and 107Nm, mated to an electric motor producing 36kW and 205Nm, with energy drawn from a 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery.
Renault says the Symbioz hybrid can drive on electric power alone at speeds of up to 60km/h, reducing fuel consumption “by up to 40 per cent in stop-start city driving”. It also incorporates regenerative braking as standard.
The Symbioz measures 4412mm long, 1567mm tall, and 1797mm wide, on a 2639mm wheelbase. That makes it roughly 200mm longer than the Captur-based ASX, and nearly 100mm longer than Australia’s best-selling small SUV, the Hyundai Kona.
Inside, it features a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with in-built Google connected services, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a sliding rear seat “to optimise boot space”.
It’ll also have a dimmable panoramic sunroof and ride on either 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels depending on the variant, along with a suite of safety gear that Renault promises will be “well calibrated”.
The Symbioz is arriving in Australia as part of a major lineup overhaul for Renault locally, headlined by the brand’s commitment to introducing six new or refreshed models before the end of 2026.
That rollout was kickstarted by Scenic E-Tech and has now been bolstered by confirmation of both the next-generation Master large van and the Symbioz.
“What you are witnessing is a major model revitalisation of Renault in Australia,” Mr Sealey said.
“We promised six new models over an 18-month period and the new Renault Symbioz is part of that rollout. Plus there is more to come.”