The Renault Clio is a car which is loved by all types of drivers. From first-time motorists looking for a budget-friendly way of getting on to the roads, to drivers after a no-nonsense hatchback which is easy to live with, there are many reasons why the Clio could fit into all types of roles. Hybrid engines have helped to add extra efficiency to the Clio, too. Competing with the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo, the Clio offers something different in the crowded hatchback space.
The Renault Clio is a household name and for good reason, as over the years it has provided reliable and low-cost transport for the masses. The latest model brings added hybridisation for improved fuel efficiency, but still gets that all-rounder ability that has made its predecessors so popular
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioPrices for the Clio start from £18,995 in entry-level Evolution trim, rising to £20,595 for mid-spec Tecno and finishing at £22,195 for range-topping Esprit Alpine cars. It does mean that the Clio is one of the most budget-friendly new cars on the market today. However, for greater savings, there are options on the used market. We found on AA Cars Esprit Alpine cars with a hybrid engine for £21,990 with just 10 miles on the clock, or Techno-grade Clio models for £20,450 which have covered just under 5,000. There are plenty of options for drivers looking to save money.
At present, the Clio is available with two engines. The first, badged TCe 90, is a compact 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, driven through a manual gearbox. It’s not all that speedy, bringing 0-60mph in over 11 seconds, but it’s peppy enough to provide adequate performance around town or in the city. More powerful is the E-Tech full hybrid 145, which, as the name suggests, is a standard hybrid setup. You get a 1.6-litre engine linked to a compact electric motor and battery. It can power the Clio at slower speeds, so it’s great for improving fuel costs, particularly for those who drive around town. This version is also quicker than the standard petrol, going from 0-60mph in nine seconds, which is respectable for a car of this size.
Thanks to its compact size and nippy handling, the Clio feels ideal for nipping around town, particularly in models equipped with the smaller 1.0-litre engine. If you need added flexibility or frequently undertake longer journeys, where some extra power is required, we recommend the hybrid version. The hybrid’s petrol engine can be a little vocal, mind you, particularly when accelerating hard. The Clio is relatively quiet at greater speeds, though there’s a reasonable amount of both wind and road noise generated. Over-the-shoulder visibility isn’t the best as a result of the Clio’s rather large rear pillars, but all cars get standard parking sensors at the rear to help out in this area.
The Clio certainly feels designed for urban environments, where its compact size and light handling come to the fore. It’s not an overly sporty setup, but you can still have some fun through the bends in the Clio. The ride quality is good, too, and on smaller wheels, the Clio shrugs off potholes and road imperfections easily. It’s an easy car to drive out of town, too, though, as mentioned the more powerful hybrid is the best bet if you’re travelling further afield due to its added punch. The automatic gearbox in the hybrid is a four-speed unit, too, which can feel a little strange to use at times. It’s nice and smooth for the most part, but it can seem a little dim-witted when you suddenly need to accelerate. Trims from Techno and above also get a sport mode which adds some extra weight to the steering for a more dynamic driving experience.
The interior of the Clio is a pleasant place to be, with decent ergonomics. It is starting to look a little dated with its small screen, but you can’t fault the ease-of-use which is brought by the Clio’s cabin. Entry-level cars don’t get the same high-end materials that you’ll find in upper specifications, but all models feel nicely put together and they look smart, too. The general usability of the Clio’s interior is helped no end by the wide variety of physical controls for various features. The rotary dials for heating and ventilation both look smart and feel great to use, while some handy shortcut keys under the main display make accessing certain areas of the infotainment much easier than a screen-only setup.
The Clio doesn’t do too badly in terms of overall interior space. Those sitting up front have a good view of the road ahead and there are plenty of storage options to use up. There are some handy storage areas around the gearstick, for instance, which are ideal for phones or other loose items. It’s not quite the same story in the back, where the Clio’s sloping roofline means that taller passengers aren’t going to be as comfy. The middle seat, too, is quite narrow and feels raised, so headroom is reduced even further - it could be quite the squeeze to sit here for someone taller. Remember, too, that you get a 391-litre boot in the petrol car, but a smaller 301-litre boot in the hybrid.
Even if you go for the entry-level Clio in Evolution trim, you’ll still get a decent amount of equipment. Core to this grade’s offerings is a seven-inch infotainment screen, which, though slightly smaller by rival standards, still gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, so you can easily mirror your smartphone on this display.
Step up to Techno and you get the same seven-inch display, but you now get front and rear parking sensors - building on the rear ones equipped to the Evolution - while a rear-view parking camera makes positioning the Clio even easier. You’ll want the Esprit Alpine model if you need tip-top levels of equipment, as it gains a larger infotainment screen and a driver’s display. The good news is that whichever Clio model you opt for, you’re getting a decent level of equipment and it’s all very easy to use, too.
Specification-wise, things kick off with Evolution on the Clio. This gets a seven-inch infotainment screen, as well as a seven-inch digital driver’s display which relays all key information in a clear, easy-to-read manner. There’s a height-adjustable driver’s seat, electric front windows and automatic air conditioning as standard, too, helping to make this entry-level car feel quite well equipped overall. Switch to Techno grade and you gain a variety of chrome elements for the exterior in areas such as the exhaust and grille. More intricate 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels are introduced at this specification, too, helping the whole car to look a little more upmarket. Inside, wireless smartphone charging is a helpful addition, while the rear windows are now powered.
Finally, there’s Esprit Alpine. With its larger 9.3-inch infotainment system, it feels noticeably more tech-heavy inside, while the 10-inch driver display is larger as well and more feature-packed. At this grade, adaptive cruise control is introduced and it’s got a stop-and-go function, too, which allows the car to independently stop and go in traffic without the need for driver intervention. A more upmarket leather-trimmed steering wheel and specially designed Esprit Alpine seats help to make the cabin feel a little more luxurious as well. You’ve got six exterior colours to choose from and while most of them are quite subdued, there are some stand-out choices such as ‘Valencia Orange’ and ‘Iron Blue’ which help to give the Clio a little more character.
All Clio models come with a good level of safety equipment, regardless of which specification you choose. Features such as traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency brake assist and active emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection come standard on all cars, helping to make the Clio a very secure car to drive. You’ve also got ISOFIX points on the two outer rear seats to help make securing a child seat into the car much easier. The Clio has a respectable reputation when it comes to reliability. These latest models have improved greatly in this area and all cars come with a three-year warranty with no mileage limit for the first two years, too. The smaller, less complex petrol version should prove particularly hassle-free to run and own due to its simplicity, too.
While there are only two engine options available, both of the powertrains available on the Clio are efficient and shouldn’t cost much to run. The standard 1.0-litre petrol has a claimed fuel efficiency of up to 53.3mpg, while the hybrid betters this to the tune of 65.7mpg. Emissions aren’t bad, either, with 119g/km CO2 and 99g/km CO2 being produced by the two engines, respectively. All Clios will incur the standard £195 in annual road tax and since no versions of the car cost over £40,000, you don’t have to worry about the Expensive Car Supplement adding to things further.
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