Review: the updated Renault Clio, Europe's bestseller

A new Renault Clio?

Yes. It’s the 2016 Renault Clio, essentially the mid-life facelift treatment for the mk4 generation, as opposed to an all-new model. And yep, it does look exactly the same as before.

There are subtle tweaks – the usual new headlights, bumpers and colour choices – but the lack of major overhaul tells you Renault didn’t really have to do much. The Clio is the best-selling supermini in Europe, after all.

Really? More than the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa?

Overall, yes. Though our buying choices in Britain are different, and here, the Clio is the eighth biggest seller in its class. Interestingly, the vast majority of Clios sold in the UK are posh ones, with just five per cent bought in base trim. That’s the area Renault’s Dacia offshoot now takes good care of.

So what’s actually new here?

The LED lights are designed to match the rest of the Renault range – overall, quite a smart looking bunch of cars nowadays – while inside, plusher materials have been called upon to up the perceived quality.

There are new, more hugging front seats and the big-selling trim levels get sat nav, DAB and suchlike as standard. And it does all add up to a car that’s very classy inside; way more so than a Fiesta or Corsa.

What about all those French build quality stereotypes?

This makes them feel pretty dated. We can’t speak for in 50,000 miles’ time, of course, but as a new car, this feels very well screwed together, and it’s a comfy place in which to spend time. It complies to one old stereotype of the French car, however, and that’s the one surrounding plush ride quality.

And the rest of the driving experience?

It’s not bad at all. You get six engine choices in non-Renault Sport Clios, but the most interesting of all is the 118bhp 1.2-litre turbo in this TCE 120. The engine has previously only been available in the fun but flawed Clio GT, where its character was smothered by a hesitant paddleshift transmission, as well as some confused marketing.

Now available with a nice simple manual gearbox and shorn of semi-sporty aspirations, it’s probably the pick of the range. It’s happy to rev, and if you’re game too, makes the Clio good for a reasonably brisk nine-second 0-62mph and 124mph top speed.

As a four-cylinder engine, however, it lacks the personality of a similarly powerful three-cylinder such as Ford’s Ecoboost. But it’s preferable to the Clio’s equivalent diesel option, not least because it’s over £1,000 cheaper.

And with an even cylinder count, the little TCE’s impressively refined, too, ideal for a car that favours comfort over thrills. It’s not feisty like a Fiesta, but it grips well and is a mature and easy car to drive. For its class, it feels very well judged.

So how much is it?

A base-spec Clio costs £11,555, but the bestselling Dynamique Nav trim starts at a smidge under £14,000. Choose this higher powered petrol and you’ll need £15,455, which is almost exactly on par with a similarly powered Fiesta Ecoboost.

That makes your decision one that hinges on whether you want a car that favours style and quality, or one which is pin-sharp to drive. The Clio certainly puts in a decent case for itself, especially given the current generation of Fiesta is now eight years old, and notably more drab inside.

Anything else of note?

You can relive the days of Max Power and specify a big Bose stereo that jams a sub woofer into the boot. And in line with many of its rivals, you can personalise your Clio with decals on the roof and different coloured mirror caps. Compared to the more customisation-focused Mini or DS3, it’s a bit of a token effort, and we reckon the Clio looks nice enough without such fripperies.

Oh, and the Renault Sport version has had a wee nip’n’tuck too. You can read all about the 2016 Renault Clio 220 Trophy right here…