Renault Clio

The third generation Renault Clio is a seismic leap ahead in terms of quality and refinement. It’s now one of, if not the, best supermini around and a huge kick in the balls to the Peugeot 207.

• Comfort

  It feels like a far bigger and pricier car in here. The outgoing Clio was a flimsy, brittle affair, but the new boy is more ergonomic, refined and composed at high speed. A real shift in direction, and triumphantly executed.

  

• Performance

   There's a sizeable range of engines to choose from for your Clio, with the 1.5-litre diesel being sold with no fewer than three different levels of power. All are torquey, frugal and adequately refined.

  

• Cool

   The Clio has, for some reason probably only known by God and the French, always been the coolest supermini. It now looks so much more grown up, both inside and out, but still retains that vital element of laissez faire.

  

• Quality

  Although once bitten, twice shy, the new Clio is reporting no problems and certainly seems to be of a far higher quality than the old car. As long as the bonnet can stay shut this time around, we can't see there being any serious hiccups.

  

• Handling

  The new Clio is vastly more mature experience, and this is reflected in the way it drives. Where the old car was a light and sprightly French hatch, the more Germanic solidity of this one has taken a little of that feel and agility away.

  

• Practicality

  Redressing some of the basic packaging issues from the old car, Renault has ensured it's far roomier in the new Clio. There's even enough space for adults in the back, and they can clamber in there with comparative ease and grace even in three-door models.

  

• Running costs

   All Clios, bar the 197 hot hatch, are very cheap to insure and running costs beyond that should be reasonable. The most powerful diesel version still manages 64.2mpg, and resale value on a desirable little thing like this should be good.