Renault Symbioz: Could have been polished a bit more
The Renault Symbioz is a handsome crossover offering superior ride quality compared to Chinese rivals. However, to justify its price point and compete effectively, the model requires better interior materials and refinement of certain technical aspects.
The Israeli automotive market has undergone a revolution in recent months: until recently, importers sold Chinese hybrid cars at relatively high prices, while European cars commanded an even higher premium based on their reputation for quality. The landscape has shifted: Chinese hybrids have become more affordable, and convincing Israeli buyers that European vehicles are inherently superior has become a challenge. Japanese cars remain the exception, maintaining their reputation for quality and high value.
Introducing the Renault Symbioz
We are looking at the Renault Symbioz, a handsome crossover and the big brother to the Renault Captur. In today's market, selling a crossover in Israel without a hybrid system is a tough sell. The Symbioz features the Renault group's familiar setup: a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors, and a complex transmission. The combined output is 145 horsepower. While that may not sound impressive on paper, the car drives quite well, achieving a real-world fuel consumption of 17 to 18 km per liter. Unlike other Renault or Dacia models, it includes a switch allowing the driver to preserve battery energy, which works effectively.
Road Performance
Our test drive took us to Sdom on the hottest day of the year, including the challenging descent from the Tzin factory. At low speeds, the Symbioz is very comfortable, with soft suspension tuning reminiscent of classic Renaults. However, hitting a pothole results in a loud, alarming thud from the front suspension. It is unclear if this is an issue specific to our test vehicle, but at highway speeds, the soft calibration leads to noticeable body sway.
Another issue is the hybrid powertrain, which feels constantly "busy." The energy management system affects the air conditioning's cooling capacity, which is particularly noticeable and frustrating during slow driving in the Israeli summer heat.
Interior and Ergonomics
Interior material quality is a mixed bag. The front plastics are black and grainy, though the door panels feature nice fabric linings with ambient lighting. Unfortunately, this is absent in the rear. The ergonomics are typical Renault: steering wheel controls are convenient, but the stereo controls are relegated to a stalk behind the wheel. The infotainment screen is clear, but connectivity can be inconsistent. The sliding rear bench is a nice touch, though moving it forward doesn't significantly improve trunk utility due to the short floor. On the positive side, a spare wheel is included.
The Bottom Line
The Symbioz is a product of a new era. While it might have been considered prestigious in the past, today's buyers demand more "bells and whistles." To truly justify its price as a "connoisseur's" European car, it needs a higher-quality dashboard, a more robust air conditioner, and refined ride quality.
Ultimately, the Symbioz's biggest rival isn't a Chinese import, but the Dacia Duster. They share many components, including the engine, yet the Duster is significantly cheaper. For the Renault to stand out, it needs to offer a much higher level of quality, which it currently fails to do. In the end, the most worthwhile Renault model might just be found in the Dacia showroom.
