Despite the market shifting in favor of crossovers and SUVs, many mainstream carmakers like Renault are not ready to kill traditional hatchbacks. As long as people buy them, companies will continue making them. One of the latest to arrive in the B-segment is the Renault Clio.
It faces a very stiff competition, not only from Volkswagen’s Polo, which has always been a benchmark in the class, but the Ford Fiesta, favored for its sportier approach, and others. You have the new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208, Nissan Micra, Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Seat Ibiza and Toyota Yaris.
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The Clio’s evolutionary exterior design hides a completely new interior and mechanical parts. It has a very well-made cabin, with plush materials and a large portrait touchscreen display that takes a bit getting used to. It’s not on the same level of quality as the Polo, but it goes head-to-head with the Fiesta, says AutoTrader in their review. The rear bench is spacious for adults and the 391-liter (13.8 cu-ft) boot is very good for a supermini.
The driving experience won’t disappoint either. Soundproofing is good, as are the ride comfort, steering and brakes. It doesn’t feel as sharp in the corners as some of its rivals, but it’s not sluggish either. Even with the small 100hp 1.0-liter, three-cylinder petrol engine, the new Clio feels alive. We can only imagine what the next Clio RS will be like, but that’s a story for a different time. Meanwhile, let’s see what else the review had to say about it.