Renault Symbioz
E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 Iconic hybrid FWD automatic
Sustainability Rating: 3½ stars
Our verdict:
Tested here is the full hybrid Renault Symbioz. The car is positioned in the small SUV class and puts a modest 1,463 kg on the scale. Its operating strategy makes good use of the 230 V (nominal) electric system, resulting in creditable consumption values. The hybrid Symbioz surprises with a high rating score, achieved through robust emissions control, an efficient powertrain and reduced resources usage. The powertrain can be seen as an evolutionary improvement of the one used in the hybrid Dacia Bigster
- Reduces exhaust pollutants very effectively across all tests. Scores highly for tyre abrasion and uses hybridisation to cut brake wear through regenerative braking.
- Delivers reasonable consumption values, ranging from a low 4.2 l/100 km in warm conditions to 7.4 l/100 km in the -7 C cold start test. Records 6.8/100 km in the Highway test.
- Benefits from low fuel consumption and European production but still emits considerable CO2 from fuel combustion. Reaches lifecycle emissions of 210 g CO2‑eq./km, including 127 g CO2-eq./km from the exhaust.
Driving Experience
Our comments:
Compared to conventional vehicles, which are only evaluated in the Consumption and Range section, the Driving Experience assessment of full hybrid vehicles also includes the Cold Winter Performance Category.
- Estimations of real-world consumption place the Symbioz generally in the good range for warm weather trips and in adequate for cold winter drives. The car is not equipped with a high voltage heater so in cold weather the combustion engine needs to be activated in phases where it would usually be inactive, increasing consumption in such conditions.
- The cabin heat supply of a combustion engine vehicle is much slower compared to an electric vehicle. The Symbioz heat up remains slow and is evaluated as poor, because the installed 1 kW low voltage air heater cannot provide sufficient heat in -7 C testing. The thermal insulation of the cabin is adequate so once the desired cabin temperature is reached it should be maintained more easily.
See datasheet for more details.