The Renault Clio has been updated for 2023. Is it any good though and can it keep the supermini segment up.
Exterior – Front
So, let’s start with the front-end design. We get some substantial changes to the front almost making it look like a completely different car. To start with we get this much wider grill than before incorporating a new mesh pattern and new Renault logo. This makes the car look much more modern and look like the Renault Austral. Also new are the headlights they are much slimmer and sharper before. The daytime running lights have also changed considerably. They now have this cool graphic going down the bumper making it like the new upcoming Rafale. These daytime running lights also go into the side vents which are connected to the new restyled central air vent which has bigger plastic inserts to make it look sportier and menacing.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side of the Clio and there are no big changes. The only change are some new Alpine badges and some new wheel options as well as some colour options.
Exterior – Rear
Going round to the back of the new Renault Clio and we get some big changes. We get some new taillights which have this clear coating on them which makes them look more modern and premium. We also get the new Renault badge and even a new bumper design to make it more modern and premium. Let’s have a look and the engine options that you can have with the Renault Clio.
Car and engine specs and price
So, the engine options consist of petrol engines, a diesel engine, and a full hybrid engine. The petrol engines kick off with a 1 litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder engine that has 63 bhp. This is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, and it does not feel that fast. The next option will be the most popular options. This uses the same engine, but it now has a turbo connected to it giving it 89 bhp. This goes through a 6-speed manual and is quite fun to drive. The top of the range full hybrid version is called the Clio E-Tech Full Hybrid 145. This uses a naturally aspirated 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors and connected to them is a 1.2 kWh battery pack. This gives the car 141 bhp and the power goes through a clutch less automatic gearbox with a 2 speed EV mode and a 4 speed ICE mode. Finally for the diesel engine you can still get a 1.5 litre turbo unit with 98 bhp. This is mated to a 6-speed manual. The price of the Renault Clio Facelift has not been announced yet but expect it to be around £24,000, slightly higher than the current Clio. Let’s have a look at the interior
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the new Clio facelift and anyone who has the pre facelift Clio that wants to upgrade to the new facelift Clio then they will be disappointed. Whilst there are some changes, there isn’t as many as I would have liked. Whilst you get some new seat and seat materials as well as some new dashboard inlays and a new Renault logo on the steering wheel, everything else is the same. The new seats are very supportive and comfy, but I would have liked the new Android Automotive infotainment system. The new Alpine Esprit model is very similar to the RS-Line model, but we do get some alpine logos around the place. The infotainment system is not bad and is easy to use but I would like the new Android version. It’s a shame as these changes would have made the Clio feel much more modern than the rest of its rivals. Let’s have a look at the rear seats.
Practicality
So, getting in the back and I am going to say that a 6-foot person sitting behind a 6-foot person won’t be very comfortable. There is not a lot of legroom and headroom is also not that great. This is mostly normal on cars of this class, but one downside is that you cannot put your feet under the fronts seat like other cars. Sitting 3 in the back will also be very tight as the car is quite narrow and the middle seat is much higher than the other rear seats. You also don’t get an arm rest or any nice features in the back. To be honest I wouldn’t want to spend a long journey in the back. Let’s have a look at the boot size to see if that improves things.
Boot Size
Now opening the boot, you have to press a button near the numberplate which will get dirty easily but getting past this and you are welcomed with above class leading boot space of 391 litres for the non-hybrid model. This is bigger than the Volkswagen Golf which is in the class above. This is more than enough for a shopping trip or even a weekend away. If you fold down the rear seats, you still get 1,069 litres of boot space.
Summary
So, in summary then the Renault Clio is not a bad car. When it was first revealed I must admit I was not sure of the design but since the Rafale has been revealed it has grown on me and I hope we see it more on newer Renaults especially on the Meganne E-Tech.
Exterior 4/5
Interior 3/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 11/15
Model | Renault Clio Esprit Alpine |
Engine | 1.0 Litre Turbo Petrol Engine, 89 bhp |
Trnasmission | 6 Speed Manual |
Price | TBA |
On Sale | No - TBA |
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