Driving the latest Renault Clio: big car quality at a small car price
February 06, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
The latest Renault Clio has all the makings of a fantastic small car, and we’ve been putting it through its paces to find out if it’s a worthy alternative to the Toyota Yaris and Peugeot 208.
The Clio has always been one of the better-looking superminis, and this latest version is a super stylish small car. The slim headlights, vertical daytime running lights and bold Renault badge give it a modern-looking front end. It’s not quite as striking as the Peugeot 208, but it’s still a handsome thing.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by an interior which could give cars in the class above a run for their money. The dashboard is stylish, and there are plenty of soft-touch materials dotted around to make it feel posher than the price tag suggests. It’s much more upmarket than a Toyota Yaris.
As for tech, the top-spec Esprit Alpine model gets a decent 9.3-inch touchscreen, while lower trims make do with a smaller 7.0-inch unit. Both feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s a shame that the Clio doesn’t have the same Google-based system as you get in the jacked-up Captur. The Clio’s software just isn’t as easy to use.
For a small car, the Clio is surprisingly practical. There’s plenty of space up front to get comfortable behind the wheel, and storage in the cabin is decent as well. The boot is also a really good size at 391 litres, over 80 litres more than you get in a Vauxhall Corsa.
However, that big boot comes at the expense of rear seat space. Adults will find it tight for knee and headroom, and squeezing three across the back is optimistic. If you need to regularly carry passengers, the Volkswagen Polo or Skoda Fabia are better choices.
The Clio is available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine or a hybrid setup. The hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor producing a combined 145hp. It’s a smooth and refined system, and during our time with the car we easily managed over 60mpg on average. Not bad seeing as the claimed figure is 67mpg.
No matter which engine you go for this is a very easy car to drive in town, with light steering and good forward visibility. The hybrid’s automatic gearbox makes driving in stop-start traffic a breeze, though the view out of the back isn’t great, and the rear-view camera is disappointingly low quality.
A Volkswagen Polo is a better motorway car though, because the Clio lets in quite a bit more wind and road noise. The suspension is a bit more fidgety as well; it sometimes struggles to settle down over smaller imperfections in the road. It’s not too bad though, and you get cruise control as standard – although only the top-spec models get an adaptive setup which will automatically keep you a safe distance from the car in front.
On twisty roads, the Clio holds its own, with decent grip and minimal body roll. However, the light steering and notchy manual gearbox in the petrol model mean it’s not as fun to drive as a SEAT Ibiza.
The Renault Clio may have a couple of flaws, the tight rear seats and firm suspension being the main ones, but it’s a stylish, well-priced and well-equipped small car with a massive boot and loads of standard equipment. It really is one of the best small cars you can buy.
Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.