NEW Renault Clio review - best hybrid small car? | What Car? 

VW has completlely lost its way with their quality and pricing. The chinese brands are flooding the market and I don't care because the old brands were not adopting. However Renault and Peugeot are actally producing really good cars now. Renault keeping the Clio alive and offering petrol and hybrid is a move I'm all for.

I like the Clio a lot - it's a good looking car and the interior is nice blend of tech and traditional controls along with a quality look. Who would have thought Renault would be leading VW in interior quality and design. Impressive !

Physical dials and a reasonable sized screen combined in a sensible way? what a miracle. This seems like a promising option in the market, especially if the hybrid is as good as on paper

Small cars are essential,why do we need petrol guzzlers like those SUV's.They take up more room in car parks and are a pain!

Stay away from the 17" wheels! IF YOU VALUE COMFORT. Buy one with 16s and you're on to a very good car! I have a 71 plate tce 90 which I use for a 92 mile run trip commute everyday which is mostly motorway and regularly attain 54 to 57 mpg!!!!! BRILLIANT LITTLE CAR.

Nice to see Renault is committed to the affordable supermini market. Will pick up sales from the discontinued Ford Fiesta and ever more expensive Japanese car makers. Ace review as always.

The real world consumption of the hybrid means that it gets 24% more distance out from the same amount of fuel, with significantly lower emissions. Surely at current pump prices, which are realistically only going to upwards, if driven sensibly, it could pay for itself within 3 years when the fuel cost saving and VED savings are combined? Plus you also get a better drive which is smoother, more responsive and has instant torque.

If the Clio hybrid comes to India,it will be a super hit,loved the review guys

Surely it costs car manufacturers more in manufacturering to fit different sized screens across their ranges, or even stick with analogue dials on cheaper models. Screens are cheap and cost doesnt vary much by size.

If the clio had the same OS as the megane e tech it’d be absolutely fantastic

Nice review. I ordered a Clio 1.6 Esprit Alpine two days ago in ceramic grey metallic having test driven it. Lovely drive & packed with kit - not to mention the excellent mpg. Dealer says July delivery - which is 6 months away. I guess that's the modern way with new cars. Looking forward to taking delivery.

Had a 1 litre petrol one for 3 years. Loved it. Really attractive inside and out. Bose speakers were good, orange colour was gorgeous, and I really wanted to keep it, but at 6ft 4 I just could not enjoy long drives at all. The hybrid never made any sense to me, a thirsty 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol will ruin any decent mpg figure from the battery/motor. The new 1.2 turbo hybrid on the Austral should be a better option for this car surely, but probably too expensive for them to facilitate. Anyway I’m getting 60+ mpg in my diesel captur and it’s much comfier, I’ll just miss chucking it round corners. The petrol clio really is as fun to drive as a fiesta.

In South Africa we have something called a Polo Vivo. Previous gen polo, stripped off some specs and sold almost 50% off new polo.

I think the Honda Jazz is the best 'true' hybrid small car. The practically and space inside is best in class, and it's reliable. It's just a shame they hiked the price up so much in recent years.

Drivers seat has more room than my old E class Merc. I am a big guy ,ergonomics fab. Esprit hybrid getting 65 mpg to 75 mpg. Note that there is no 360 camera in UK wing mirrors version. Front & rear sensors only. Handling is excellent. Brakes , steering set up really sharp & direct, with differnt modes. I prefer the firmish set up to a softer ride. From staionary it pulls really well and will get ahead of most cars , no lag. Plus looks cool in iron blue. All round chuffed with this little big car feel & its associated running costs. Family members have purchased two more since !

ONE GOOD REASON TO GO FOR THE CLIO !!!! IT HASN'T GOT AN ENGINE WITH THE DREADED WET BELT !!! IT'S GOT A TIMING CHAIN!!! GOOD ON YOU RENAULT 👏 👍 👌 unlike FORD, CITROËN, PEUGEOT, VAUXHALL, VW, SKODA, SEAT. I WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE ONE OF THEIR ENGINES with the rubber band in it.

I have the previous Clio E tech and it's a really good car. What irks me somewhat is the misguided idea that small cars like the Clio are considered by some reviewers ( and manufacturers) to be cars that are only used around town and for the proverbial school run. We are retired and we don't need a hulking great SUV to go on holiday, a car like the Clio suits us fine. The only down side to all this is, probably because of the above, they are all shod with very firm seats which to my meagre frame are uncomfortable for long runs. It's a pity that you have to pay nearly £40 grand to get a car with comfortable seats these days. Ah, how I miss the soft French car seats of the '70s!

Thankyou What Car? Excellent review I have just taken delivery of the spec you recommended. What a fantastic little car great looking, quality interior, fun to drive and planet friendly. My son put it best " this car has personality!". I also feel a bit smug tbh when I see people in their SUV EV's!

Looks pretty pretty decent

Picked up a cancelled order esprit alpine hybrid in blue last week. Recommending the 1.0 is ridiculous. Most will do PCP and the hybrid will be worth much more in 3 to 4 years. I drive sensible and average 55mpg which for the bad weather we have had is pretty good

Bought one of these 6 months ago. Best car I’ve ever had.

You Failed to mention the mpg of the hybrid won’t stay at that level on a motorway journey, when the hybrid battery depletes and the car starts charging it the mpg drop’s big time.

What? Is it a Coldplay singer selling cars nowadays? And he wears yellow.

Renault really nailing it with Clio, fantastic car, especially for the price.

If buying a hybrid I'd go for the Toyota Yaris proven reliability and up to 10 years 100,000 mile warranty if you have it serviced by Toyota. If that Clio hybrid goes wrong out of warranty it's going to cost you.

5:47 it's a 1.0-liter turbo

I really wish they would not always test the range topping model

Got a hybrid Esprit Alpine coming in around 5 weeks. But I'm still here looking at reviews. Maybe should have done that before ordering but seems like it's getting good scores from everyone

Love the new Logo than old one

Does it have a Manual Transmission option?

Give me a 1.6 liter diesel with 80mpg, and I'm sold.

The new cleo is beautiful, fuel saver also

It's big 9.3" screen is hindering it's front air-vents. Would've been better if it was more rectangular and below the front air-vents for a full gush of un-hindered airflow.

In France a diesel clip is an option, but….. the French government are planning to ban diesels. so might have to go for the e-tech thing : /

Renault generally feel kinda underrated, I just hope they are also reliable. Good to see they still sell manual cars

Renault Clio is best.☺️💪

Great! Are you doing a review of the Honda Jazz 4th gen facelift? Is it more frugal than before, or like the new Yaris, slightly less economical?

Which clio hybrid version do you recommend buying ? Evolution, Techno or Alpine

After experiencing a complete engine failure in the notorious 1.2 turbo engine ( yes, if you have one in your Renault or Nissan, it WILL fail) i wouldn't touch a Renault with a bargepole.

the main rival of clio is peugeot 208. and that car has a design that beats every clio

46mpg. pah. on a long run, I get 48mpg out of my Dacia Sandeto Stepway with the same engine AND an automatic.

crazy how thats honda civic sport and hyundai elantra tech prices here

No mention of Stellantis at all? The reason I ask is, there's no Fabia hybrid but at least that got a mention... yet the Corsa is the biggest selling B-segment car and now has a hybrid option.

Not a bad car but as spaniard, hope they don't all come with a French flag, I'm so not driving with that thingy near me 😂

Very nice car, I hired one for a month while on holiday in Portugal. The person before me had roughed up the wheel rims and scratched up the bottom of the bumpers. The hire guy said it was a female. Lol

Renault Clio looks good. I hope the price is good as well. I like the size and the interior.

It's interesting that we seem to be all moving over too automatic cars from manuals. Looks a lot smarter but not sure I could trust French electrics.

Just an external facelift with some different materials inside, otherwise the same as before and definitely not 'new'.

Seems good, shame about the back seat

In theory better packaging means that with the rise of EVs cars should be getting smaller - the opposite seems to be happening. I've always liked the Clio and it's definitely big enough for me.

Had the basic trim as a courtesy car for the day and think it is dire in everyway apart from its looks Interior full of v hard cheap plastic from doors to dash. The steering wheel felp cheap,Steering feel unconnected,the car emits a never ending weird noise,suspension is harsh bounces all over the place,,brakes are similar to having a brick underfoot,manual handbrake? Avoid imo

Please tell me I am not the only one who is confused why boot space is measured in litres.... is this the case for every car?

Wheres the blinking anti theft? 😰

I think 90bhp in a Clio is going to be painful. They're not as lightweight as they used to be.

The Clio has survived and i think it will eventually rival the upcoming R5 as an EV.

I had a 2010 Clio 7 years ago, it only had 20k miles, full service history. It was garbage, so cheaply made, every part, when MOT came had 11 advisories. Got rid and said I would not buy a Renault again. Have they totally changed now? What’s peoples experiences?

I think it's a lovely looking car and while I know that's the top of the range car it's not as cheap as you're making it out to be. The small engine is a 1.0 not a 1.2 as well so you have got your facts wrong as well.

Honda Civic? Was it even available in the UK?

The little French cars are very interesting at the moment, at least much more than vw

Absolutely beautiful little car

One of the best car brands!!

It weighs roughly 3500 pounds.. It’s not 3500 pounds more.

What a nice small car to travel a long drive

A french flag? Weird.

Sad to see no diesel. I can't get enthused over only obtaining 46mpg out of the non-hybrid version of this and even the hybrid significantly undershoots what I used to get out of a mk3 Clio with the DCI106 engine (which was a great motor - and could have been even better if it hadn't been saddled with such stupidly short gearing that 1st was almost pointless and even 6th wasn't an overdrive). I know it's the fault of the eurocrats, but even so - I fear the day when I have to replace my current diesel and suddenly have to spend hundreds more every year on fuel, as well as probably having to lug about the extra mass of hybrid batteries (and the additional complexity). I wouldn't touch a Renault nowadays, ever since an absolute nightmare with trying to get a new fusebox back in 2018 - nine weeks with no car, spending a fortune on taxis, all because Renault UK (and even Renault HQ in France) couldn't seem to obtain what was a common failure item (and a common part across all variants of mk3 Clio). Customer service - nil points. My father and I owned a load of Renaults over a combined 59 years and this episode poisoned them for me. Also - call me a stick in the mud, but no CD player?!?!!?!? I don't have all my music on a smart phone, nor do I want to spend hundreds of hours converting all my CDs to MP3s just so that I can then clog up phone memory with files to listen to while driving. No - I want to listen to CDs, thank you very much. That is addressed to all of the manufacturers who have cheaped out on ICE in the last few years.

How much better than the Dacia though?

2 tonnes ?

I'm loving this Renault

The problem with Renault is that the quality of their engines is very questionable. Look at the discussion forums: customers complain a lot about electrics and engine failures a lot.

The renault clio is always being updated

what?! they stopped making fiestas?

Glad to see small city cars are still being championed by some manufacturers, rather than those others who are simply profiteering while riding the current crossover / SUV fad. Well done, Renault. Had to raise a wry smile though, at 07:30 mins in, when you talked about the 57.6mpg 'real world' fuel economy of the hybrid being "impressive results" - the last hybrid car I owned was a 2004 Mk2 Toyota Prius (a class-size above the Clio) which regularly achieved 56mpg in 'real world' driving... So much for 2 decades' worth of progress, eh...!! 🤣

If Renault skimp on the padding on the armrest thats pretty poor

Common,small car design for city,yet you review on the rural roads,

Not bad!! Personally, I’m future proof. I changed from petrol and diesel to electric in 2020. Although I prefer electric cars to petrol or diesel cars, there aren’t enough to draw in the punters!!

inside its downgrade less soft touch material than the pre facelift so not an upgrade really..

A 1.0 litre car is not a good for 3 hours up the motorway the engine is working to hard at motorway speeds it's revving High over 4,500 rpm using more fuel than it needs to Should of made it 1.4 twin charged & the top of the line model 1.6

This is the problem i have with reviews...this is the most expensive trim.... when i saw it the interior sucked.

This will be the same as the Mitsubishi Colt!

Very weird intro about small cars. Literally now is the time to switch to small cars given climate change issues - big cars are big polluters. In addition, it surely depends on where you live? If in a big city, why and how would you deal with a big car? Odd generalisation there

Why do the french insist on hiding controls behind the steering wheel, put them on the wheel.

We spots and I love it

Cool and Smart

Renault❤❤

Brilliand small car❤

20k for a Clio??? Who said apocalypse is still far away from happening?

Why not just get a Captur instead? More room inside and it had the big iPad screen for years.

Isnt jazz better?

Thanks, Renault. No thanks Honda, get lost. Honda is nowhere as premium they need to be to charge those prices.

Cool and smart

Nice

Je pense dans les 5 années prochaine personne ne va acheter français .. avec les moteurs de séchoir qu’on reçoit et tou les problèmes plus les prix exorbitants… tout le monde va acheter Volkswagen et Audi.. c malheureux vraiment je me rappel des R25 505 gti 205 gti on est où mnt on est où ???????

This is the worst car in the category to buy. The hybrid version has huge hybrid system problems. If you want a car that will stop in the middle of traffic and to waste time in the service then you can buy this but you have to be crazy

GJ

Honda Jazz seems like a better choice.

I would never buy French and Italian cars, i'd choose even Chinese cars over them.

the new mitsubishi colt is much better 😉

Renault ki gadi na le dhokha milega

You guys were not using your brain when making this car and only made it in manual 😭😭😭😭

depressing