Renault Clio

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £9,630 to £13,749
• For : Spacious , comfortable interior, fun drive, cosseting ride
• Against : Poorly equipped base models, poor residuals

The Renault Clio aims to cater to every possible taste, so it's available in a huge variety of body styles, power outputs and specifications. This ranges from basic three-door versions that offer good value to the fully-loaded Sport Tourer estate model and Renaultsport performance editions. It majors on passenger space and comfort, and while it might not be quite as sharp to drive as the Ford Fiesta, it's far more engaging than some of its rivals, including the new Toyota Yaris. Of the many engines offered, the frugal diesels and free-revving 2.0-litre petrol are the standout performers.

Our pick: Dynamique TomTom 1.2 TCe 5dr 

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Renault Clio

Styling

Although recently updated, the Clio's design is conservative, especially compared with rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It has aged well though, and the firm's Gordini range adds white racing stripes and colourful wheel trims. Base models, dubbed Pzaz and Expression make do with plastic wheel trims.

Interior

The interior is spacious, well laid out and easy to use, but again there's a big gulf between the quality and feel of the materials used on entry-level versions and more expensive models.

Driving and Performance

The Clio does all the basics well, with light accurate steering and a slick gear change, as well as superb all round visibility that makes it very easy to drive. The ride is better judged than most rivals too, offering a decent amount of body control without compromising comfort. The naturally aspirated 1.2 and 1.6-litre petrol engines take a long time to get going though, so opt for either the turbocharged 1.2-litre TCe unit or the excellent and surprisingly punchy 1.5-litre DCi diesel for the best blend of performance and economy.

MPG and running costs

With the exception of the 200bhp Renaultsport version, all of the engines are impressively frugal. The most efficient option is the 1.5-litre diesel, which returns 70.6mpg and emits just 106g/km of C02. Our pick of the range is the 1.2 TCe petrol version, which returns over 50mpg and emits a relatively low 125g/km. The Clio's excellent safety record should keep insurance costs down, but it won't hold its value as well as the equivalent Skoda Fabia or SEAT Ibiza.

Practicality

The Clio's 288-litre boot is good for its class, beating both the Mazda 2 and Peugeot 207 for luggage space. The glovebox is enormous too, as are the door bins in the front which make it easy to store bottles and parcels on longer journeys. Base spec models do without the split folding seats and the seats don't fold flat on any of the models. But overall the Clio offers decent luggage space, and there's easily enough room to seat four adults in comfort.

Safety and reliability

Renault is a brand that has built its reputation for safety, and the Clio is among its best. It scored five stars in Euro NCAP safety tests and was awarded four for child protection, but just one for pedestrian safety. However buyers should be aware that base-models do without traction control and have less standard airbags to save cost. While few mechanical faults have been recorded, the Clio has a reputation for a somewhat flimsy interior and it's unlikely to stand the test of time as well as anything from the Volkswagen Group.

Model Variants and Specifications

• Renault Clio Expression 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £10250
• Renault Clio Bizu dCi 88 FAP eco2 £10395
• Renault Clio Bizu dCi 88 FAP eco2 £10995
• Renault Clio Expression 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £11000
• Renault Clio Expression dCi 88 FAP eco2 £12050
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £12250
• Renault Clio Expression dCi 88 eco2 £12800
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £12850
• Renault Clio Expression 1.6 VVT 111 Auto A/C £12925
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.2 TCe 100 eco2 £12950
• Renault Clio Expression 1.6 VVT 111 Auto A/C £13525
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.2 TCe 100 eco2 £13550
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom 1.2 TCe 100 eco2 £13850
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom dCi 88 eco2 £14200
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.6 VVT 111 Auto £14350
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom 1.2 TCe 100 eco2 £14450
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom dCi 88 eco2 £14800
• Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom 1.6 VVT 111 Auto £14950
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom dCi 88 FAP eco2 £14950
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom 1.6 VVT 111 Auto £15250
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom dCi 88 FAP eco2 £15550
• Renault Clio GT Line TomTom 1.6 VVT 111 Automatic £15850
• Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup £16810
• Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 £17810
• Renault Clio Gordini 200 2.0 VVT £19750
• Renault Clio Bizu 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £8595
• Renault Clio Bizu 1.2 16V 75 eco2 £9195