Renauly Symbioz

YOU may assume something is wrong with a car for it to be significantly updated within ayear of going on sale. But that’s not the case with the Renault Symbioz. The SUV arrived last July, and although it doesn't pull on the heartstrings like the Renault 5, we like its comfortable ride, slick powertrain, spacious interior, Google tech and keen pricing. Despite this, the French marque is defying the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don't fix it”.

- Ellis Hyde [e-mail]

The Symbioz hasn't received any cosmetic work, and the interior is practically identical to before. Which again, is no bad thing. What has changed is under the bonnet. Instead of just Renault's established, but perhaps slightly dated, hybrid powertrain, buyers now have a choice of a simpler ‘mild hybrid 140’ petrol engine, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a brand-new ‘full hybrid 160’ that has a bigger, more efficient engine anda larger battery. We've hada goin both.

The introduction of the new entry-level engine has slashed the range’s starting price to £27,395 — about £2,000 less than last year, and importantly, over £3,000 cheaper than the most basic Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Karoq. It doesn’t manage to pip the Hyundai Kona, though, prices for which get under way at £26,735 — but you can't win them all.

Obviously it can’t offer the zero-emissions driving that the full-hybrid version can, but the 138bhp turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder is smooth, doesn't sound harsh even when accelerating hard, andis quiet at a cruise. The O-62mph ‘sprint’ takes 11.2 seconds, but it feels quicker in reality.