During our brief but thorough test drive, it became abundantly clear that the new Clio is a great car. However, the question remains: is it a great Clio?
Basic price (Clio 6 evolution TCe 115): €19.490
Price of the test vehicle (Clio 6 esprit Alpine full hybrid E-Tech 160): €29.490
The Renault Clio probably doesn't need an introduction to the Slovenian public, but it certainly deserves one due to its legendary status. Since it succeeded the cult "five" in 1990, this compact Frenchman has gone from a simple city choice to a true icon of our roads, where it was considered the undisputed sales king for many years. Over five generations, we have collected memories with it in a variety of roles: for some it was a wallet-friendly first car, for others a loyal and economical family companion, and for others a naughty weekend toy in the RS version, which we can only dream of today. Today, when it comes to the roads in its sixth edition, the Clio not only brings an evolution of design, but also tries to prove that in a world obsessed with SUVs, the classics have still not thrown a gun in the trash.
And it was in the sixth edition that it experienced one of the biggest design evolutions. If the fourth and fifth generations were quite similar in appearance, the sixth is completely different. Different to the point that many would no longer recognize it as a Clio – firstly because of the design itself, and secondly because of its external dimensions. The Clio has intentionally grown in length by 7 cm (4,12 m) and in width by 4 cm (1,77 m), making it actually larger than the second generation Megane in terms of dimensions. As for the design, the Clio looks quite bold and dynamic even in its basic equipment, and the Esprit Alpine equipment package, which our test model also boasts, also brings emphasized side sills, 18-inch wheels and some blue additions to the front grille, which is now hexagonal in shape. The new side profile is also interesting, which has become much more masculine than we have been used to with the Clio so far. When we walk to the rear, we find new taillights that, with some imagination, resemble those of the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
During the test, we were most impressed by the interior, which represents a big step forward. The dashboard design itself strongly resembles that of the electric four and five, but at the same time it brings its own tricks, such as the air conditioning vents that look as if they were made of overheated titanium (of course they are not), and the magnetic folding center console cover, which we slightly turn up our noses at. Just like in Renault's new electric nostalgics, the 25,7-centimeter (10,1-inch) central display is based on Google services, which work flawlessly and exemplary; the interface is clear and the screen is responsive. The driver's 25,4-centimeter (10-inch) information display is also quite well customizable and clear, only occasionally a bit slow. The Esprit Alpine package adds the aforementioned interesting vents, sportier seats and a bunch of Alcantara accessories, which transforms the interior into an almost sporty ambience. The selected materials and build quality in the new Clio are definitely above the class average.
The fact that the Clio has grown in practically every direction will also be felt by passengers in the back seat. To be clear, it is still not very spacious, since we are talking about a Clio, but you will be able to fit an adult of average height there without any complaints. The boot now swallows up to 391 litres of luggage, which is 90 litres more than the hybrid version of the previous generation.
The test Clio was powered by a completely new hybrid powertrain labeled Full Hybrid E-Tech 160, consisting of a 1,8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, two electric motors (one provides propulsion, the other acts as a high-voltage starter/generator) and a battery with a capacity of 1,4 kWh. The power is transmitted to the front wheels by a so-called multimode automatic transmission, which has four gears for the internal combustion engine and an additional two for the electric motor. It sounds extremely complex and, like any modern hybrid system, it actually is. But fear not – the handling is no different from driving a car with a classic automatic transmission. The driver will only feel that the car moves more than decently due to the system power of 160 “horses”, although during dynamic driving you would sometimes wish for a gear up. Since the four-cylinder engine runs quieter than the three-cylinder, switching between electric and combustion engines is almost imperceptible, and the latter's soundscape is unobtrusive. Despite the small battery, you will move in complete silence for about three-quarters of the time in the city using mode B (Brake), and outside the built-up area, expect to drive on pure electricity for just under half the time. The data that interests you most is consumption - during our stay, the Clio served itself with 4.2 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers, which is quite impressive. Especially considering the fact that our driving was not particularly economical, but completely normal.
And how does the new Clio drive? If I had to describe it in one word, I would say: mature. Mature because it feels confident and safe behind the wheel. In fact, while driving, it feels a bit larger than it actually is, without appearing cumbersome or clumsy - on the contrary, it is predictable and agile. The chassis is a positive surprise, which has become firmer, which means there is less body roll in corners, and the car follows the set track better, although it is still subject to understeer due to the relatively large front-mounted combustion engine. Comfort, however, has not received a (too) big penalty, as the Clio has no problems with smaller, short bumps, only larger imperfections in the road are transmitted a little more directly. The steering mechanism is also pleasant, which is just the right weight and direct enough, and the steering wheel also fits nicely in the hand. Those with trained senses will only be disturbed by the fact that the steering mechanism provides too little feedback.
To return to the question from the beginning: is the new Clio also a great Clio? My answer is yes, but there is one obstacle – the price. For the basic model without discounts, you have to pay only 510 euros less than twenty thousand, and for such a hybrid with rich equipment, it is another ten thousand more. We all remember the advertisement that the Clio has everything that the big ones have, and this is still true today. Whether it has enough to justify its steep price, the cruel market will show. Until then, the fact remains that Renault has reshuffled the cards in the extremely competitive compact hatchback segment with the sixth generation.
THE VEHICLE TEST WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE COMPANY
