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The Renault Clio is a small hatchback that combines stylish looks with a practical interior and fuel-efficient engines – some diesel versions promise mpg of nearly 90. It’s also good value and many models have lots of standard features, including sat nav. It feels solid and comfortable on the motorway, making it one of the better small cars to go for if you regularly drive long distances.
The latest version of the Clio has been sold new since 2019, when it replaced one sold from 2012 to 2019. The latest version is almost entirely different from the older car, although they do look quite similar. The main difference in appearance is in the front lights – the latest version has daytime running lights that form a ‘hockey stick’ shape below the main headlight. Both are only available with a five-door hatchback body.
Both versions of the Clio covered here are available with fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines. Some models have an automatic gearbox but manuals are much more popular. The latest version is also available as an ‘E-Tech’ hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and an automatic gearbox. If you want a high-performance, sporty Clio, look out for Renaultsport models of the older version. Unusually for a small hot hatchback, it also has an automatic gearbox.
There are many trim levels to choose from. What Renault calls ‘Dynamique’ is the most popular package on older versions and ‘Iconic’ is most popular on the newest version.
Standard features fitted to the latest Clio include air con, cruise control and Bluetooth. Many models also have sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, parking sensors, and a digital driver’s display.
If you go for an older version of the Clio, you’ll find many models have air con, Bluetooth, cruise control and sat nav.
The latest version of the Clio can give you an official average fuel economy of 49-54mpg in models with a petrol engine, while diesels can give up to 67mpg and hybrids can give 55-68mpg, according to official figures.
The older version of the Clio can give up 47-67mpg with a petrol engine and 70-88mpg with a diesel engine. If you’re wondering why the older car appears, on paper at least, to be more efficient it’s because the method used to measure fuel economy changed more recently to better reflect real-world driving conditions. The latest Clio’s fuel economy was measured using the new method. You can read more about how fuel economy is measured in our guide.
Other costs, including the annual Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax), are very low across all Clio models.
Other small hatchbacks like the Clio include the Ford Fiesta, the Skoda Fabia and the Volkswagen Polo. These cars are all very closely matched but there are differences that may swing your decision. For instance, the Ford is more fun to drive than the Renault, the Skoda is more spacious and the Volkswagen has more of a premium feel. However, the Renault’s style, fuel efficiency and value may clinch it for you.
Both versions of the Clio covered here have a similar amount of passenger space, with room for four relatively tall adults to travel comfortably for a few hours. The main difference between them is in their boot space. The older version has a boot that’s a good size for this type of car – a week’s holiday luggage for a couple should fit easily and the back seats fold down if you need more space.
The boot in the latest version, however, is absolutely huge by small hatchback standards. Indeed, it’s bigger than the boot in many larger hatchbacks. As such, the latest Clio could work for you as a family car. Bear in mind, though, that hybrid models have quite a lot less boot space because their batteries are mounted under the boot floor.
As of mid-2022, the latest Clio is Renault’s only ‘conventional’ hatchback car available new in the UK. In the past, the larger Megane and smaller Twingo hatchbacks were available new, and you can still find used examples. The Renault Captur SUV is similar in size to the Clio.
Safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded a full five-star rating to both versions of the Clio covered here, scoring them particularly highly for protecting adult and child occupants in a crash. Standard driver safety features fitted to the latest version include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and cruise control with a speed limiter. Some models also have what Renault calls the Traffic & Motorway Assistance Pack, which features tech that can accelerate, brake and steer the car in low-speed traffic.
The E-Tech Hybrid version of the latest Clio has hybrid power – meaning a petrol engine combined with a battery-powered electric motor. It can drive for short distances on electric power alone and can give you an average fuel economy of up to 62mpg, according to official figures. Relatively low CO2 emissions of 97g/km mean its Vehicle Excise Duty is low, too.