Renault Clio Review
By Motor Match • 27/09/2023
There are few names in the motoring world that are quite as recognisable as Renault’s Clio.
What is it?
This hatchback has been a constant sight on our roads for decades, providing frugal and well-priced motoring for the masses throughout the generations.
These days, the Clio’s job isn’t as easy as it once was. The rise of the crossover has certainly proven to be a fly in this compact Renault’s ointment, but can is still be the great all-rounder that it always has been? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
Renault isn’t wasting any time in electrifying its fleet of vehicles, with this new Clio now available with a hybrid setup. It’s one you’ll also find throughout the Renault range in cars like the Captur, Megane and Arkana, too.
It all comes through the use of a clever new platform - known as CMF-B - which has been designed to accept hybrid powertrains right from the start. This means it’s able to make the most of the space available while ensuring that the hybrid setup and its batteries don’t impede on the interior room too much.
What’s under the bonnet?
Powering this Clio is a combination of petrol and electric power. There’s a 1.6-litre petrol engine which is then linked up to two electric motors. The first of those e-motors works in a traditional sense by adding power, while the second acts as a starter-generator which allows the car to always ‘start’ in fully electric mode.
The 1.2kWh battery is small in capacity but does actually allow the Clio to run on fully-electric power for more time than most other ‘normal’ hybrids. In total, you get 138bhp, too, while Renault claims that the Clio will return up to 64.2mpg alongside super-low emissions of 99g/km.
What’s it like to drive?
One thing you can expect from this Clio is a smooth driving experience. No matter what state of charge the battery is in this car always starts up in EV mode and this makes it very refined from a dead stop, while the transition from electric to petrol power isn’t that noticeable either.
It also helps that the Clio feels light and nimble in the bends and while this will no doubt appeal to those who drive on twisty lanes, it also means that the Clio is ideally suited to life in the town.
How does it look?
Though looks are, of course, down to the individual, we’d say that the Clio remains one of the better-looking hatchbacks available at the moment. You get standard-fit LED lighting for that futuristic appearance, while the ‘hidden’ rear door handles help to give it all a clean, sleek appeal.
If you fancy a sportier option then it’s worth going for the R.S.Line specification, too, as this adds larger alloy wheels. It’s also quite an undercover hybrid - you’d only be able to pick it out as a battery-assisted model through the small ‘E-Tech’ badging on the b-pillars.
What’s it like inside?
There’s been a significant push by Renault to lift the overall feeling of quality in the new Clio and it’s easy to see thanks to decent materials used throughout and a generally ergonomic-led approach to the location of buttons and dials.
It’s worth noting that this E-Tech version doesn’t get the 391-litre boot of the ‘regular’ version - it falls to 301 litres as a result of the hybrid powertrain - but there’s a decent amount of legroom for those sitting in the rear. The sports seats on R.S.Line models give you loads of support too.
What’s the spec like?
Renault keeps the same specification layout for the hybrid Clio as it does for the ‘standard’ one, with a Play model kicking off the range and bringing plenty of standard features such as cruise control and air conditioning, though you don’t get the large central screen that’s available with the rest of the range.
Our particular car came in sporty R.S.Line trim level and this adds loads of dynamic exterior styling features alongside a reversing camera and a 9.3-inch infotainment display which looks great and is easy to use.
Verdict
Though you could get bogged-down with the complexities of the Clio E-Tech’s hybrid system, it’s actually a powertrain which just works as it should right from the off. It’s what hybrids should be - intuitive, easy to drive and, most importantly, efficient.
Blend this smooth-running engine setup with the Clio’s neat styling and well-made interior and you end up with a very appealing hatchback option.
You may also like…