New Clio: economical and efficient

The Renault Clio boasts an exceptional track record: twice "Car of the Year", in 1990 with the Clio I and in 2005 with the Clio III; a total of 17 million units sold, including 6 million in France; and a leading position in Europe that is still relevant in the first half of 2025 with more than 130 000 units. Sales volumes in France continued their upward trend, increasing by 13% this year (with over 89 000 units sold as of 24 November), thanks to the launch in May of a discontinued version priced at 16 900 € (£14 650).

The Clio maintains its undisputed leadership position in France with a 6.3% market share, ahead of the Peugeot 208, which has fallen by 18% to 4.5%. The last B-segment model still available with a diesel engine leads its category with over 19% market share (13 250 units, up 138%), ahead of the C5 Aircross with 9.7% market share.

The Clio VI, whose commercial launch in the United Kingdom is announced for 2027, will take place in France in January 2026. The car will do without a diesel engine, but French enthusiasts will still be able to purchase the Clio V until July. Like its predecessor, the Clio VI will offer a dual-fuel LPG version. Most notably, the car will feature Renault’s new hybrid engine, already installed in the Captur and Symbioz: the 1.8-litre, 160 hp, direct-injection engine, a significant improvement over the previous 1.6-litre, 145 hp, engine.

The new engine is expected to account for half of the sales mix, with improved torque (+22 Nm), a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 8.3 seconds (one second better), a fuel consumption of just 72mpg, and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km.
In “gentle” driving, we achieved such fuel consumption, while our colleagues, driving a bit more "sportily," still managed to stay at 55 mpg.

The Clio offers several driving modes, including a new "Smart" mode that automatically selects Eco or Sport mode depending on how hard the driver presses the accelerator pedal. Clio VI will also include a 1.4 kWh battery (formerly 1.2 kWh on the Clio V). Furthermore, the driver can select regenerative braking mode B, which enhances engine braking and recharges the battery.

Still based on the CMF-B platform, the Clio VI nevertheless sees its track widened by 39 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear, for more lateral space inside and even better handling, already excellent on the Clio V.

Longer by 7 cm, at 4.12 m, the Clio VI retains its 2.58 m wheelbase, identical to that of the Peugeot 208. Legroom remains unchanged, while the boot gains 8 litres, reaching 309 litres in the hybrid version (volume unchanged at 391 litres in the combustion engine version). However, the loading sill, considered too high, has been lowered by 4 cm.

Inside, the new Clio offers improved acoustic comfort, not just in electric mode, but also on the motorway at 80 mph. The new steering wheel has a pleasant feel and shape, offering more direct, responsive steering; the seats have been given a more enveloping design. For cost and weight reasons, the seats can only be operated manually, hard plastics were used, and no glass roof was installed, even as an option.

Contrasting with these cost-killing measures, the dashboard features two 10-inch digital screens (Smartphone mirroring standard on the entry-level model, while Open R Link with navigation and Google Automotive Services is available on the mid-range version). The numerous driver assistance systems (29 available) start with adaptive cruise control on the entry-level model and include features such as automatic emergency braking and door-opening alerts. The My Safety switch on the dashboard allows easy deactivation of intrusive ADAS systems, such as speed limit or lane-keeping alerts.

The new Clio also features a new reversing camera offering improved image quality. It is now concealed rather than integrated into the logo to prevent the frequent thefts observed in the previous generation.
The top-of-the-range version, Esprit Alpine (at 29 300 €, £25 400 for the hybrid), which we tested, features decorative elements on the dashboard and doors that significantly elevate the interior’s quality.

There is a pleasant surprise for the efforts made to control costs are reflected in the prices announced: the base version, equipped with the TCe 115 engine and manual transmission, is priced at 19 990 € (£17 200), which is 1 200 € (£1 050) less than the Clio V with the TCe 90. The TCe 115, which uses the same combustion engine as the 200 hp E-Tech hybrid found in the Austral, Espace, and Rafale, also offers low fuel consumption (71 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 92 g.

The hybrid version starts at 24 600 € (£21 300), which is only 400 € (£350) more than the less powerful hybrid version of the Clio V.

* Top- row prices: 27 600 €, £24 000 / 29 300 €, £25 400.
Middle- row prices: 23 900 €, £20 700 / 25 400 €, £22 000 / 27 600 €, £24 000.
Bottom-row prices: 19 900 €, £17 200 / 21400 €, £18 500 / 24 600 €, £21 300.