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HomeComparisonsRenault Symbioz vs Jaecoo J7 SHS
Spec Battle Updated 20 April 2026 5 min read

Renault Symbioz vs Jaecoo J7 SHS

A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.

Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

SpecRenaultJaecoo
Price (RRP)$42,990$43,990
Fuel typeHybridPlug-in Hybrid
Range (WLTP)90km
Battery18.3 kWh
Electric range90km
Power116kW255kW
0-100 km/h10.6s9.5s
Max DC Charge40kW
Fuel Economy4.7 L/100km1 kWh/100km
Boot Space492L340L
Towing750kg750kg
Warranty5yr / Unlimited8yr / Unlimited
ANCAP SafetyNo data5 Stars

Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.

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Price Breakdown

The Renault Symbioz starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS opens at $43,990. That makes the Renault Symbioz the more affordable entry point by $1,000.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $47,289 and $48,389 respectively.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Renault Symbioz, as a petrol model, does not qualify.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jaecoo J7 SHS by roughly $6,460 in fuel alone.

Safety Rundown

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

Charging Times

How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.

How long to charge

18.3kWh usable

Public DC

50kW charger · 0–80%

22 min

Ultra-rapid DC

up to 40kW · 0–80%

27 min

Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 40kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.

Feature Showdown

The Renault Symbioz features a 10.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS gets a 13.2-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS counters with wireless charging that the Renault Symbioz does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Renault Symbioz uses a Inline 4 producing 116kW and 149Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.6 seconds.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 255kW and 525Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the clear power advantage at 255kW vs 116kW. In the real-world sprint, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Renault Symbioz measures 4,413mm long on a 2,638mm wheelbase, 87mm shorter than the Jaecoo J7 SHS at 4,500mm (2,672mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Jaecoo J7 SHS generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 492L in the Renault Symbioz and 340L in the Jaecoo J7 SHS, giving the Renault Symbioz a 152L advantage.

For towing, the Jaecoo J7 SHS leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Turning Circle

Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.

11.1m to 11.2m

Renault Symbioz E-Tech Full Hybrid
11.1mTighter
Best
Jaecoo J7 SHS Track 2WD
11.2m
Worst
Renault Symbioz E-Tech Full Hybrid
11.1m · Average

Based on 11.1m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways
Jaecoo J7 SHS Track 2WD
11.2m · Average

Based on 11.2m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways

Turning circle ratings

Under 10m, Excellent
10 to 11m, Good
11 to 12m, Average
Over 12m, Large

True Cost to Own

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,340/year for the Renault Symbioz and $48/year for the Jaecoo J7 SHS. That is a $1,292 annual difference in favour of the Jaecoo J7 SHS.

Estimated annual total: $1,340 (Renault Symbioz) vs $48 (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS saves you roughly $1,292 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Symbioz) vs 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS has longer coverage.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Renault Symbioz if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.

Buy the Jaecoo J7 SHS if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.

The Verdict

The Jaecoo J7 SHS takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Jaecoo J7 SHS will save you roughly $1,292 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Renault Symbioz has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.

Common questions

Which is cheapest, Renault Symbioz and Jaecoo J7 SHS?

The Renault Symbioz is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jaecoo J7 SHS by $1,000.

Which is the most fuel-efficient?

The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses the least fuel at 1L/100km on the combined cycle.

Which is safest?

They are evenly matched — Jaecoo J7 SHS all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.

Which has the most boot space?

The Renault Symbioz has the largest boot at 492L.

Which has the best warranty?

The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.

Which is the most powerful?

The Jaecoo J7 SHS makes the most power at 255kW. The Jaecoo J7 SHS is quickest to 100km/h in 9.5s.

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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.

Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026

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