talk about the Renault Clio is talking about success. Originally released in 1990 with the (difficult) task of replacing the successful Supercinco, the Clio now has five generations, has risen to the top of the sales charts and has since been building success after success.
Let's see: the Clio, whose name originates from a goddess of Greek mythology, is the segment's sales leader in Europe, absolute leader in Portugal and, on top of all this, it is still the best-selling model of the French brand ever (which Renault 4L which one) with more than 15 million units sold.
Given the success it has known, it goes without saying that Renault's expectations for this 5th generation Clio are, to say the least, high. And maybe that's why the Gallic brand adopted a somewhat conservative approach to the aesthetics of this generation, betting more on evolution than on revolution.
Personally, I think it was a winning bet, with Clio maintaining the athletic look of the previous generation and starting to combine it with traits that recall the “older brother”, Mégane (mainly at the front). In fact, the similarities are so many that several people came to me to praise the style of the… Megane , only after realizing it was Clio.
If there's one thing the Clio doesn't lack, it's cameras to make sure it's well parked.
Inside the Renault Clio
If evolution was timid on the outside, the same did not happen on the inside. With a completely new design, which highlights the screen in a vertical position, the interior of the Clio marks a clear evolution (for the better) compared to the previous generation, improving not only in terms of ergonomics but also in terms of overall quality.
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But let's go by parts. In terms of ergonomics, the improvements are largely due to the adoption of a set of piano keys, placed under the monitor, and three rotary controls for the climate control, all this inherited from… Dacia Duster.
In terms of quality, the materials once criticized gave way to a set that reveals a more careful choice and much more pleasant to the touch (and to the eye), even above what is proposed, for example, by SEAT Ibiza. Even so, the presence of some parasitic noises reveals that the editing still has room for progression.
The infotainment system fails by presenting too much information. Still the graphics are simple.
Where Renault does not seem to have been able to silence critics of the previous generation is in terms of habitability. Although the measuring tape claims that the Mégane's (comfortable) benches even helped improve living space and advertised (marginally) higher quotas, the truth is, there isn't much space available.
Inherited from Mégane, the front seats offer good levels of comfort and good lateral support.
With four adults on board, legroom in the rear seats is very much dependent on the position the front seats are in (it's just a matter of hoping the driver is short). In terms of width, the “drop” shaped design that gives the Clio a “muscled” appearance harms the habitable dimensions and the luggage compartment, despite the 391 l, is quite deep.
At the wheel of the Renault Clio
At the wheel of the Clio, the work in terms of ergonomics and the comfort of the seats inherited from the Mégane are felt. The gearshift knob is closer to the new steering wheel, which in turn offers a good grip and contributes to a good driving position. It is a pity that the distance between the seat and the door is so short that it is difficult to adjust its height.
Already in progress, two things immediately stand out: the somewhat unpleasant sound of the 1.3 TCe of 130 hp (mainly cold) and the resourcefulness of this thruster, which quickly allows us to reach speeds well above those recommended, living up to the level of RS Line equipment.
Still on the 1.3 TCe, riding slowly, most modern gasoline engines are economical — this one for example is capable of doing averages of 4.2 l/100 km riding very calmly). However, this thruster manages to remain reasonably economical even at (very) high speeds, not going beyond 6.6 to 7 l/100 km.
In dynamic terms, the qualities recognized by Clio over the years remain unchanged. With a suspension that combines comfort with efficiency, the Clio also has a precise and direct steering that is even fun, being on par, for example, with the Mazda CX-3 (yes, I know, it's a compact SUV , but it's no less fun to drive because of it).
So when we take the Clio into the corners, it presents us with a front axle that clings to the road like there's no tomorrow, leaving the daydreams of fun for the rear that lets loose, not much, but enough to get into the playfully, and keep the front always pointed in the right direction (just like in my first car, a first generation Clio), although in this case we have “cricket of conscience” (or ESP) protecting us.
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Speaking of ESP, the truth is that it always seems to trust the chassis less than it really is, revealing a certain tendency to want to take the lead whenever the pace increases (and the fun too).
Is the car right for me?
For nearly three decades, anyone looking for a comfortable, economical and well-equipped utility vehicle has seen the Clio as one of the main candidates and the truth is that with the arrival of this 5th generation, the French bestseller continues to remain at the top of the segment.
More mature, well equipped and with a behavior that is even fun, the Clio improved in almost all the points where it was weaker and maintained its strengths, establishing itself as one of the “targets to shoot down” in the segment.
So, if you're looking for a (very) fast, economical, comfortable and well-equipped utility and space is not an absolute priority, the Clio remains one of the main options to consider in the always-attended B-segment. face models like the Volkswagen Polo, or the new Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa.