Renault’s Symbioz hybrid SUV is now on sale, bringing the fight to the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Puma.

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It’s priced from £29,295 and sits between the smaller Captur crossover and the larger Austral, completing the brand’s C-segment SUV line-up.

The midsize SUV is targeted at both fleets and families, delivering a mix of performance and efficiency, along with strong design and connectivity features.

Just one powertrain is offered; the E-Tech full hybrid 145 powertrain already used in the smaller Captur and Clio. This combines a 95hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a multi-mode clutchless gearbox, with a 36kW e-motor, an 18kW starter generator and a 1.2kWh battery. Official WLTP fuel economy is 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions are from 105 to 108g/km.

Buyers have a choice of three trim levels: Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine. Highlights include the OpenR Link multimedia system with Google built-in, and Renault’s Solarbay tinted glass roof.

The opening Techno grade delivers design features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, shark fin antenna, full LED front and rear lights, automatic headlights and wipers with rain sensors, satin chrome window frames and dark-tinted rear windows and tailgate. Equipment includes automatic air conditioning, a 10.4-inch touchscreen with Renault’s OpenR Link infotainment and built-in Google Automotive services, Arkamys audio with six-speakers, DAB and Bluetooth, a rear-view camera and heated electric folding door mirrors.

The Techno Esprit Alpine upgrades to 19-inch alloys, Esprit Alpine interior styling, sports pedals and footrest, and a more standout upholstery that’s 75% recycled and features blue stitching. A bump-up in equipment brings hands-free electric power tailgate, electrically adjustable and heated front seats and extra driver assistance features such as blind spot warning and active driver assist plus adaptive cruise control with lane centring assist.

The Iconic Esprit Alpine comes with Renault’s Solarbay opacifying glass sunroof, a 360-degree around-view 3D camera, hands-free parking, nine-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system and 24 new-generation driving aids.

The interior draws on the heritage of Renault’s popular family cars, including the Renault 16 first launched in 1965 and the Espace from the 80s and Scénic from the 90s.

The modular interior gives a nod to the Renault 16 with a rear seat that slides by 16cm, creating a flat floor when fully folded and enabling a flexible interior. In its foremost position, it delivers 492 litres of boot space; with the bench slid back and the 60:40-split rear seats fully folded, maximum boot space is up to 1,582 litres. The Symbioz boot has no lip, making it easy to access the flat floor and to load bulky items.

Symbioz also comes with some 24.7 litres of family friendly storage space inside the cabin, including seven litres in the glovebox alone.

Deliveries of the Renault Symbioz start from September.