Renault Symbioz vs Peugeot 308
What's the difference?

Renault Symbioz

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

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Peugeot 308

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2023 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Summary

2026 Renault Symbioz

2023 Peugeot 308

By Stephen Ottley

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

6.4L/100km (combined)

1.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

European looks
Google integration
Enjoyable to drive

Sinister exterior styling
Lavish interior
Superb to drive

Dislikes

More expensive than the competition
No plug-in hybrid option
Only a five year warranty

Long charging time
High price compared to petrol variant
You could have a fully electric car for less money

2026 Renault Symbioz Summary

Are you the kind of person who doesn’t mind standing out? You like to go against the flow?

Well, if so, you might be exactly the kind of person who buys the all-new Renault Symbioz, the French brand’s new small SUV.

“It stands out in a sea of same-same SUVs,” is how Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey sums up the Symbioz.

The problem for Renault, is that it is a very big sea it finds itself in the middle of. The small SUV segment is the second biggest part of the local new car market in 2026, behind only mid-size SUVs and ahead of utes.

And it is full of well-known and popular models including the best-selling Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Hyundai Kona, GWM Haval Jolion, Jaecoo J5, Mazda CX-30, MG ZS, Toyota Corolla Cross and the list goes on.

Certainly from a looks perspective the Symbioz stands out. But it also stands out for other reasons, such as being a bit more expensive than many of its rivals and because it is the last French brand left in the Australian market following the decline of Citroen and Peugeot.

Sealey said he expects the Symbioz to be the best-selling Renault model in Australia, and it arrives in the middle of a major product overhaul that will see six new or updated models arrive in the span of 18 months.

But does the Symbioz really have what it takes to stand out from the pack and win over those not afraid to try something different, or will it be lost in a vast sea of SUVs?

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2023 Peugeot 308 Summary

Ah, now you can have your Peugeot 308 and plug it into a power point as well. Yes, the new petrol version of the 308 arrived late last year and now the 308 GT Sport Hatch plug-in hybrid is here, too.

We've just driven the 308 GT Sport plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at its Australian launch and we can now answer all of your questions, such as how much it costs over a regular petrol 308, what's its electric range, what features come standard, what's it like to drive and is there a fully electric Peugeot coming soon?

Ready? Let's go.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Renault Symbioz 2023 Peugeot 308

Verdict

There’s certainly a lot to like about the Renault Symbioz. It may cost more than its direct competition, but it looks, feels and drives with an edge on many of its rivals. And the integration of the Google system will no doubt appeal to some, especially a younger audience which craves the latest tech.

But the extra cost coupled with the image problem French cars have had in Australia - justified or not - will make it a hard sell. The small SUV market is dominated by the big name brands and cut-price models - and the Symbioz is neither.

Renault Australia has no ambition for this to out-sell the Tiggo 4 Pro and Kona, but even attracting modest sales in such a highly competitive segment will be a hard slog.

If you’re willing to make an unconventional choice, though, you will likely enjoy your time with this little French alternative.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

The 308 GT Sport plug-in hybrid is a beautifully designed small hatch that is comfortable, enjoyable and easy to drive. The electric motor gives this hatch good acceleration and the equally impressive handling makes for a fun car to drive too. There's good storage, a decent boot and room for even tall people like me in those back seats.

There are two clear drawbacks, however: the price is steep compared to the petrol version; and you'll need to plug the vehicle into a power supply each night if you drive the car daily and want to achieve the 2.4L/100km fuel economy we did in this test.

Last, but probably the most important thing you'll read is that Peugeot will bring fully electric cars to Australia from the second half of 2023, from SUVs to (hopefully) the battery electric version of this very 308 hatch.

If it was my money, I'd hold on - you're going to have your next car for quite a long time so it's worth waiting for the fully electric versions.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Renault Symbioz vs Peugeot 308 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Renault Symbioz vs Peugeot 308
What's the difference?