Renault Clio Hatchback (1998-2001) review
At a glance
Price new | £7,340 - £25,840 |
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Road tax cost | £190 - £415 |
Insurance group | 5 - 39 |
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Fuel economy | Not tested to latest standards |
Range | 330 - 594 miles |
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Available fuel types
Petrol
Diesel
Pros & cons
Space, comfort, value
Interior can be tatty
Renault Clio (98-01) rivals
Overview
The original Clio was a breakthrough for Renault. Its chic, cosmopolitan looks, low running costs, confident handling and clever use of space had buyers reaching for their cheque books. By the mid-Nineties, European competitors had caught up. Like greying Papa, Clio was beginning to look a bit tired, and niggling mid-life reliability problems were emerging.
(Nicole remained as vivacious as ever, but was conveniently married off when Clio MkII appeared.) Renault’s answer was a comprehensive make-over programme, fixing the faults and improving the car in almost every area. The cheeky Clio MkII was launched in 1998 as a thoroughly modern supermini that inherited all the charm and classless appeal of the original Clio but felt sturdier and better built.
But being bigger and heavier than the 1991-98 car, it feels a little less agile and handling can seem blunter and less entertaining than the original.