Renault has confirmed that symbiosis The small SUV will launch locally later this year, bringing the French brand’s latest mild and full hybrid technology Down Under in a new name for Australia.
The announcement follows the model’s recent appearance in Australian government registration documents and confirms the Symbioz will be Renault’s latest small SUV to launch here, following radio silence surrounding the arrival of the facelifted Captur.
Therefore, it is likely that the Symbioz will be the indirect replacement for Renault Australia’s Captur, which continues to be available here in the form of the Mitsubishi ASX.
Renault says the Symbioz will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2026, before pricing and full specifications are announced.
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“We know not everyone wants to drive the ‘same old’ 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 that the new Renault Symbioz is well equipped, offers excellent fuel economy in practice and will be available at an affordable price.”
Early specifications confirm the Symbioz will be offered in Australia with both mild and full hybrid powertrains and will follow the all-electric Scenic E-Tech that launched last month.
Mild hybrid variants (MHEV) will use a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 104kW of power and 245Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It will almost certainly be front-wheel drive, and information from abroad suggests 12-volt MHEV support.
Full hybrid variants, on the other hand, feature a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 80kW and 107Nm, paired with a 36kW and 205Nm electric motor, with energy drawn from a 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery.
According to Renault, the Symbioz hybrid can drive purely electrically at speeds of up to 60 km/h, which reduces fuel consumption “by up to 40 percent in stop-start urban traffic.” It also features regenerative braking as standard.
The Symbioz is 4412 mm long, 1567 mm high and 1797 mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2639 mm. That makes it around 200mm longer than the Captur-based ASX and almost 100mm longer than Australia’s best-selling small SUV, the Hyundai Kona.
Inside, it features a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated Google Connected Services, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a Harman Kardon sound system and a sliding rear seat “to optimize trunk space.”
It will also feature a panoramic dimmable sunroof and ride on either 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels depending on the variant, along with a range of safety equipment that Renault promises will be “well-tuned”.
The Symbioz arrives locally in Australia as part of a major overhaul of Renault’s lineup, led by the brand’s commitment to introduce six new or refreshed models before the end of 2026.
This rollout was initiated by Scenic E-Tech and has now been supported by confirmation of both the next-generation Master large transporter and the Symbioz.
“What you are seeing is a major model revitalization of Renault in Australia,” Mr Sealey said.
“We promised six new models over 18 months and the new Renault Symbioz is part of that launch. There will be more too.”
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