Renault Symbioz arrives in Israel with hybrid power and a starting price of 160,000 shekels

Renault is bringing the Symbioz to Israel as another crossover SUV positioned between the smaller Captur and the larger Austral. The model will be sold with one hybrid powertrain and one trim level, and prices start at 160,000 shekels, which is 6,000 to 8,000 shekels more than the Captur.

The Symbioz comes with Renault’s updated hybrid system, combining a 1.8-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined 160 horsepower. Power goes to the front wheels through a smart automatic gearbox with four ratios for the gasoline engine and two for the electric motor, creating 14 possible combinations. Renault says this helps deliver both responsive power and fuel economy of 22.7 km per liter. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 9.1 seconds, top speed is 180 km/h, and towing capacity is 730 kg, or 1,000 kg with a braked trailer.

The only trim is called Techno. It includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.4-inch Google-based multimedia system, parking sensors all around, 360-degree cameras, wireless charging, light and rain sensors, an auto-dimming center mirror, and 18-inch wheels, plus a spare wheel. A darkening panoramic roof with four settings is available for an extra 7,000 shekels.

Safety equipment includes six airbags and the usual active systems, plus adaptive cruise control, blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, door-opening alert, traffic sign recognition, and driver fatigue and distraction warning. The car has a safety rating of 7 out of 8 from Israel’s Transport Ministry and scored four stars in Euro NCAP’s 2024 crash tests. Compared with the Captur Techno, the Symbioz lacks items such as leather trim, a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting, but it adds a fully digital cluster, surround cameras and additional safety tech.