Should you buy a Renault Clio?

Yes. The Renault Clio is still one of the best small cars on sale – and that’s mostly because its maker hasn’t messed with the formula for its facelift. It might have a bold new look, but it’s essentially the same car underneath. We’d go for the TCe 90 petrol manual model because it’s considerably cheaper than the hybrid and that little bit more engaging to drive. However, the E-Tech hybrid promises excellent fuel-saving potential for city dwellers.

We’re not going to lie to you and say that it’s as fun as the old Ford Fiesta was, nor is it as comfortable as Citroen C3 Aircross. Instead, it trades on its ability to toe the line between sportiness and comfort, occupying the middle ground between the SEAT Ibiza and the Volkswagen Polo. Team that with its stylish design, clever technology, efficient powertrains and big boot, and we reckon it’ll sit at the hatchback top table until it’s replaced.

What is it?

The Renault Clio has established itself as an immensely popular small car. It was introduced to the British market in 1991 and, since then, around 1.3 million examples have found homes with UK buyers. Its success can be attributed to its winning blend of practicality, comfort and super-low running costs.

Renault has kept the car looking fresh over the years, culminating in this sharp-looking facelift from 2023. That update ushered in a revised front end, a few technology upgrades and a mild trim level restructure that added a sporty new Esprit Alpine model at the top of the car’s range. These tweaks were enough for us to award it our Best First Car for 2025 over some very competitive rivals.

But will it be enough to see it outsell the Vauxhall Corsa? That popular small car has long dominated the UK’s bestselling cars list, topping the charts in 2021 and securing second place in both 2020 and 2022. So, the Clio is definitely competing in hostile territory. Plus, it also needs to contend with competition from its home country in the shape of the Peugeot 208.

The facelifted Clio’s engine range is as strong and simple as ever. There are just two options. The cheapest model features a 90hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, while more expensive variants are powered by Renault’s new 145hp 1.6-litre hybrid system.

Renault’s trim structure is equally simple. There are three specifications to choose from called Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all models, along with Bluetooth connectivity, a DAB radio and a digital instrument cluster.

The range-topping Esprit Alpine replaces the old R.S. Line model and gets 17-inch alloys, a larger infotainment screen, a wider digital gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control. There’s also the option to specify an upgraded Bose stereo system, which sounds great and should make audiophiles very happy. Best of all, the enhanced speakers are integrated seamlessly with no loss of boot space.

Over the next few pages, we’ll be scoring the Renault Clio in 10 key areas to give it an overall score out of five. Our ratings will consider the car’s practicality, comfort, driving experience and running costs before we offer our final verdict on the car. Read on for everything you need to know or head over to our how we test cars page to find out why we put cars through the trials that we do.