The Renault Clio is one of the most popular and successful small cars in Europe. It has sold over 16 million units since its launch in 1990, and it is still going strong with its latest facelift for 2024. The new Clio has a bold and dynamic design, a range of efficient and powerful hybrid engines, and a new trim level inspired by the Alpine F1 team. But how much does it cost to buy one? And how does it compare to its rivals in the supermini sector? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
The New Renault Clio Design
The 2024 Renault Clio looks more aggressive and sporty than the previous generation. It features a larger grille with the diamond-shaped logo, LED headlights with vertical strips, slimline LED taillights, and a distinctive front bumper with an F1-style aerodynamic scoop. The rear end also has LED lights that form an upright rhombus behind the bumper.
The new Clio also comes in three trim levels: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine. The Evolution is the entry-level model, with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces 90bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox. The Techno adds some features, such as alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Esprit Alpine is the top-of-the-range model, with a 1.6-litre hybrid petrol engine that combines a three-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 130bhp. It also has sporty styling elements such as gloss black badging, red accents, Alcantara seats, and paddle shifters.
The New Renault Clio Performance
The new Renault Clio offers two engine options: the 1.0-litre TCe 90 petrol engine and the 1.6-litre E-Tech Full Hybrid system. Both engines are smooth and efficient to drive but have different strengths and weaknesses.
The TCe 90 petrol engine is simple and reliable, but it lacks power and refinement compared to some of its rivals. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds, which is slower than most of its competitors, such as the Ford Fiesta (10 seconds), the Volkswagen Polo (11 seconds), or the Honda Jazz (11 seconds). It also has a noisy cabin at high speeds due to its three-cylinder layout.
The E-Tech Full Hybrid system is more advanced and eco-friendly than the TCe 90 petrol engine. It uses two electric motors that provide instant torque on demand or boost when needed for overtaking or climbing hills. It can also switch between different driving modes, such as Normal or Sport, to suit different driving conditions or preferences. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10 seconds, which is faster than most of its rivals except for the Toyota Yaris (9 seconds). It also has lower CO2 emissions of only 99g/km, which makes it eligible for lower taxes and better fuel economy.
The New Renault Clio Practicality
The new Renault Clio has a decent amount of space inside for its size class, but it could be improved in some areas, such as boot space or rear legroom.
The boot space of the new Clio measures 270 liters, which is slightly larger than some of its rivals, such as the Ford Fiesta (260 liters) or the Volkswagen Polo (260 liters). However, it is smaller than some other superminis, such as the Honda Jazz (320 liters) or the Toyota Yaris (310 liters). If you need more luggage capacity for long journeys or family trips, you might want to consider other options.
The rear legroom of the new Clio measures 41cm, which is average for its size class but not very generous compared to some other superminis, such as the Honda Jazz (42cm) or the Toyota Yaris (40cm). If you are tall or have passengers who sit behind you, you might feel cramped or uncomfortable in the back seat. You might want to look for other models that offer more room for your legs, such as the Ford Fiesta, the Volkswagen Polo, or the Audi A1.
The New Renault Clio Safety
The new Renault Clio comes with plenty of safety equipment to protect you and your passengers from accidents or collisions. It includes features such as:
- Six airbags, including front side airbags, front curtain airbags, and side impact airbags.
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS), which prevents your wheels from locking up when braking hard.
- Electronic stability control (ESC), which helps you maintain control of your car if you lose traction on slippery surfaces.
- Brake assist, which warns you if you are applying too.
- Emergency brake assist, which boosts your braking power if you are in an emergency situation.
- Lane departure warning, which alerts you if you are drifting out of your lane without indicating.
- Lane keep assist, which gently steers you back into your lane if you are not paying attention.
- Traffic sign recognition, which reads the road signs and displays them on your dashboard.
- Blind spot warning, which warns you if there is a vehicle in your blind spot when changing lanes.
- Rear cross traffic alert, which detects vehicles approaching from behind when reversing out of a parking space.
- The rear view camera shows you what is behind your car when reversing.
- Front and rear parking sensors, which beep when you are close to an obstacle when parking.
- Adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and adjusts your speed accordingly.
- Automatic high beam, which switches between high and low beam depending on the traffic conditions.
The new Renault Clio also has a five-star rating from the Euro NCAP, the highest possible car safety score. It scored 96% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, 72% for pedestrian protection, and 75% for safety assist.