Car of the Year Awards 2025: Small Car of the Year
Despite the fashion for SUVs, the traditional small car remains one of the most popular types on the road, with the best brilliant all-rounders that offer excellent value for money...
Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Techno
While the reinvention of the Renault 5 (R5) is an exciting step in the French brand’s future direction, it doesn’t spell the end of the more traditional Clio any time soon.
The fact that the retro-inspired R5 is electric and a step up in price from the slightly larger, petrol-engined Clio means there’s plenty of room in Renault’s line-up for both of these small hatchbacks to co-exist happily, catering for slightly different audiences. And that’s terrific news, because the Clio is too good – and too popular – to be put out to pasture just yet.
The Clio is available as a hybrid that promises economy of up to 67.3mpg, but it’s the regular 1.0-litre petrol that we favour; it’s a fair bit cheaper to buy and still delivers excellent real-world efficiency, helping to keep running costs low. True, it isn’t quite as quick as some rivals, but it’s more than nippy enough dashing around town, and the Clio doesn’t feel out of its depth at motorway speeds.
What’s more, the Clio is better to drive than most of its rivals, including the Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift; despite having fairly firm suspension, it strikes a fine balance between agility and ride comfort.
A major Clio selling point is its interior, which (in mid-range Techno trim and above) looks and feels smarter than those of many rivals. It’s also generously equipped, coming with front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. True, Techno and entry-level Evolution trim miss out on the range-topping Esprit Alpine’s flash 9.3in infotainment touchscreen, but their 7.0in alternative is almost as well stocked with functionality and does its job perfectly well.
Although there’s less space in the Clio’s rear seats than those of the Honda Jazz or Fabia, a pair of six-footers will be able to fit in without feeling uncomfortable. Most people will consider that an acceptable trade-off for a sizeable boot; in fact, the Clio’s is one of the most practical in the class, coming with a handy height-adjustable boot floor to either maximise its depth or reduce the height of the lip at the entrance.
To help you avoid an accident, the Clio is well stocked with driver and safety aids. As for reliability, this model didn’t feature in our latest survey, but Renault currently ranks a creditable ninth out of 31 in our overall brand league table.
You don’t have to pay a high price for all of these attributes, either; in fact, the Clio undercuts the equivalent Swift and Fabia and is far cheaper than the Jazz. For lower prices, you have to look at value-focused options, such as the Dacia Sandero, or smaller, less practical models such as the Hyundai i10. And none of those cars stacks up as well as the Clio as an all-rounder. Even in the company of the new R5, it won’t be overshadowed.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
