New Car Honours 2006

	By investing £650million in its development, the French firm has built a car that's more refined and luxurious than any other supermini.

The supermini sector is the toughest battleground in the British carmarket. With new launches from three of Europe's biggest manufacturers going on sale in the last year, the class has taken a giant leap forward.

That's great news for buyers, as the latest contenders are better equipped and offer superior comfort levels to the models they replace.

And none more so than the Renault Clio. Impressing us with its shapely styling and robust build quality, the third-generation model is a massive improvement on its predecessor. By investing £650million in its development, the French firm has built a car that's more refined and luxurious than any other supermini. Light and agile, it's a joy to drive in narrow city streets, yet also capable on motorways. Occupants are able to relax in a cabin that's bigger, brighter and better designed than before.

With seven engines to pick from, six trim levels and two bodystyles, there's a model to suit every budget. A five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating makes it a safe choice, too.

The Clio is the easiest supermini to live with and the most enjoyable to own, enabling it to rise above three exceptionally capable rivals in this closely fought sector, and making it a deserving winner.