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Our Score:
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Styling & Design
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Score:
7/10
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The Clio's chic looks appeal to a wide range of buyers, from first-time drivers to pensioners. Both the three and five-door models look well while the beefed-up bodywork on the RenaultSport model is excellently executed. The estate version actually looks good too but it's not really that big inside.
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Engine Spec
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Score:
6/10
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The Clio line-up in Ireland is pretty small. You can have a 75bhp 1.2 or 98bhp 1.4. There was no diesel offered before as Renault doesn’t see a market for it but that should change in July. Having said that, they can get you one (or an RenaultSport 197) if you ask.
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Performance
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Score:
6/10
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The Clio has grown so much and has such a heavy body that its 1.2 engine now seems very tame: 0-100km/h takes 13.4 seconds and 167km/h all out. The 1.4-litre fares better, managing 11.3 seconds to 100km/h and 183km/h at the top end. New 100hp 1.2 Turbo and 1.5 dCi should spice up the range nicely.
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Ride & Handling
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Score:
6/10
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The Clio used to be a bit of a hoot to drive but now it is pretty lardy, with the lightest model weighing 1080kg. Great around town, the Clio is no longer that entertaining on the twisty stuff. It rides well but the controls are numb and uninvolving.
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Interior & Ergonomics
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Score:
8/10
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The current Clio’s dashboard is attractive and appealing to look at, with more intuitive switchgear and a better driving position than before. The seats are also exceptionally comfy though thick A-Pillars inhibit visibility.
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Space & Practicality
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Score:
8/10
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The Clio is surprisingly spacious, capable of take four adults comfortably. Obviously, the five-door is easier to get in and out of while boot space, at 255 litres, is competitive for the class. The estate's no bigger in the back but has a Megane-sized boot. It's almost Megane money, too, though.
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Safety
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Score:
7/10
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Three-door Clios have front & side airbags but Renault reckons the B-pillar negates the need for side airbags in 5-door models. It might have a 5 star NCAP score with ISOFIX & belt reminders as standard, but rear headrests & curtain airbags aren’t available on base models & ESP simply isn’t offered.
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Value & Running Costs
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Score:
7/10
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The 1.2-litre Clio will return a frugal 5.9l/100km and the 1.4-litre just a little more, at 6.6l/100km. Service intervals are 30,000km for the petrol models. Demand for secondhand Clios is always strong but values vary wildly. Come July, the 1.5 dCi diesels will be the ones to buy.
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Quality & Refinement
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Score:
6/10 |
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The quality of the Clio has improved, but it had a long way to go to match class rivals. The interior plastics are good the closer you are to the driver. However, there is still a worry about Renault’s electrics which can be unreliable.
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Equipment
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Score:
7/10
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All models get electric front windows, trip computer and a CD player. The Sport adds 15” alloys, a split folding rear seat, fog lamps, remote stereo controls and ‘sport headlamps’. Dynamique models add 16” alloys, side airbags & electric mirrors. Air con is optional across the range.
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Bad
No diesel
airbag count
boring to drive
Good
5 Star safe
space
looks.
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