Renault Clio
Who would have thought it? Small estates are now all the rage among manufacturers, who are looking to give their compact cars big appeal. Here is Renault's contender.
On the face of it, the Sport Tourer gives Clio enthusiasts something extra – there’s more boot space, with little change to the looks or handling. But while the newcomer hovers between two model categories – supermini and family car – the price tag certainly doesn’t. Those buyers looking for a real mix of practicality and style might be better off spending a few extra pounds and buying a Ford Focus instead.
Peugeot was among the first to hand compacts a boost in practicality, with the 207 SW. Then, Skoda added a versatile estate to its impressive Fabia line-up. Now, it’s Renault’s turn to put the boot in, with a brand new version of the Clio.
As with other estates in the French firm’s range, the model uses the Sport Tourer badge. And as the name might suggest, it’s aimed more as a lifestyle statement than an out-and-out load carrier. However, adding 216mm to the length means there is a useful increase in luggage space over the standard hatchback, with a maximum capacity of 1,277 litres.
All the changes to the Clio take place behind the rear doors, and the designers have a done a good job of grafting on the new back end.
With large wraparound lights, a steeply raked bootlid and aluminium-finish roof rails, the Renault looks stylish and hides its extra length well.Swing open the large tailgate, and you’re greeted with a low sill and a generous 439-litre load area, which is 50 per cent bigger than the hatch’s.
The 60/40-split rear seats add versatility as well as more room, particularly as they are so easy to fold. On top of the large luggage space, the Sport Tourer features some neat storage solutions. Most notable among these is the removable boot floor.
Pull it out, and it provides hidden stowage space, as well as an extendable flat surface, which is ideal for helping to carry bulky loads. Better still, if you need to accommodate tall items, the rear shelf can be removed and stored in this cubby. Elsewhere, there’s the standard estate car complement of securing hooks and nets.
As for the rest of the Sport Tourer, the floorpan is exactly the same as
in the five-door model. The result is that there is no increase in the length of the wheelbase, and passengers are no better off in terms of space than they would be in the hatch.
However, this doesn’t mean the Clio is cramped; the well built cabin will comfortably seat four adults. Specify the optional full-length glass sunroof, and it also benefits from a light and airy feel. There will be a choice of five engines at launch – two petrol units and three diesels. The line-up includes the powerful 98bhp turbocharged 1.2-litre TCE motor, which is shared with the recently launched Twingo and the forthcoming Grand Modus.
Our car, however, was equipped with the range-topping 103bhp 1.5-litre dCi oil-burner. It’s a torquey and refined unit that provides the Sport Tourer with punchy performance, des-pite the extra 20kg weight the estate body brings with it. Linked to a six-speed manual box, which has a long-striding top gear, it also makes the Clio a capable motorway cruiser.
The rear suspension has now been stiffened to cope with the increased loads the car is expected to carry. The result is that the Clio’s ride has lost a little of its suppleness. And while it still corners well, the over-light steering spoils the driving experience.
Renault hasn’t revealed prices, but expect this mid-level Dynamique to cost around £14,000. That’s expensive when compared to the Fabia, which is £13,775 in flagship 1.9 TDI guise. More to the point, at this money, the Clio is straying dangerously close to the class above, and the likes of Ford’s Focus.
RIVAL: PEUGEOT 207 SW
A roomy boot brings practicality to the stylish 207 package. Supple suspension and accurate steering impress, but the dated interior and cramped driving position let it down.
