Renault Clio Review
3 minute read | February 8, 2017
It is one of only two cars to twice be named European Car of the Year (1991 and 2006) and is largely credited with restoring Renault’s reputation following a difficult period in the ‘80s.
Not a stranger to controversy, the infamous Watchdog report into its jack in the box-esq bonnet threatened to derail the public’s love affair with the supermini car, but it managed to still be one of Europe’s top-selling cars. This week, we’ve been fortunate enough to test drive the 2017, 1.5DCI Dynamique Nav featuring a new facelift that Michael Jackson would be proud of, but does it hold up 27 years on or has the Clio finally had its day?
Easy on the eye
Let’s start with the facelift. A nip here and a tuck there has given the new model Clio a sleek, stylish and refined look that showcases a sporty profile and with a never ending array of trim and colour options, the ability to bespoke the look to your own desires could see you invoking your inner design guru. Before you get too carried away, remember, when you come to selling the car you may struggle with anything too exuberant.
Refined performer
With a choice of four engines, three petrol and a solitary diesel engine, there is an option for most enthusiasts. We put the 1.5 litre four cylinder diesel through its paces and found the 89bhp more than enough to handle daily motorway commute. Despite its five-speed gearbox, there is plenty of torque and the engine is refined at cruising speeds. The diesel features more torque at lower revs than the 0.9-litre petrol model, so nipping around town is perky without requiring lots of gear changes.
Interior
Do you like soft touch plastic? You’d better if you’re going to enjoy the Clio’s interior. The cabin features plenty of gloss-black plastic which gives it a fresh and modern feel, although if you plan on carpooling with Edward Scissorhands be prepared to cringe every time he touches the scratch magnet interior.
The adjustable seat and steering wheel provide an attainable level of comfort that is only a tweak away. A central touch screen offers a range of functionality to suit any tech junkie and helps to declutter the dash. All models come as standard with Bluetooth, USB connectivity, cruise control and DAB radio.
If you’re a driving instructor or a nervous passenger, a digital read out of the mph gives clear visibility and added peace of mind.
Thankfully, Renault has left the heating controls separate from the screen meaning you can change the settings on the fly without feeling like you’re filming a scene from mission impossible.
Space
The boot space on the Clio is on par with its closest rivals at 300 litres. Meaning you can fit your weekly shop, but anything more could result in those long hours of contortion school being put to the test.
The rear seats do fold down in the event that you spot a special offer and need to fit 24 toilet rolls for £4 in with your usual shop.
The rakish roofline does mean that for the taller amongst us you may find yourself complaining about the lack of headroom. A simple test drive will put your mind, and neck, at ease.
Economy
For economy, the new trend of downsizing and turbocharging petrol engines means that you can achieve a quoted 60mpg with the 0.9TCE engine whilst emitting only 105g/km of CO2. The diesel engine fitted to our test car is even better with a quoted 85mpg with 94g/km of CO2.
Verdict
We personally think that the 1.5-litre diesel is the pick of the bunch with a stylish and refined redesign that gives a fresh and modern take on the popular range. This isn’t the beginning of a new French revolution but’s it’s an excellent brand ambassador.
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