Renault Clio Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
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Driving

What is it like to drive?

An aged 1.2-litre engine opens the batting for the Clio but it’s the 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo that’s more interesting. Designed for economy, forced induction means it’s still nippy enough in town and sounds sweet when worked hard in the country. Just don’t expect big car performance on the open road. For that, you’ll need the forthcoming 120bhp 1.2-litre turbo. Renault’s also revised the familiar 1.5-litre dCi diesel, which is a fine alternative if you can afford it. 

Pleasingly, Renault has also remembered something else that used to make its superminis great – how they handled. This steers keenly, doesn’t fall into understeer and lets you feel what the back wheels are up to near the limit. It’s all nicely interactive and although the body does also roll a bit too, the pay-off here is soft and supple suspension, another old-style Renault trait that’s most welcome.

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Highlights from the range

the fastest

Renault Clio 1.6 E-TECH Hybrid 145 Engineered 5dr Auto
  • 0-629.3s
  • CO2
  • BHP145
  • MPG
  • Price£23,800

the cheapest

Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Iconic Edition 5dr
  • 0-6212.2s
  • CO2
  • BHP90
  • MPG
  • Price£18,550

the greenest

Renault Clio 1.6 E-TECH Hybrid 140 S Edition 5dr Auto [Bose]
  • 0-629.9s
  • CO283.0g/km
  • BHP140
  • MPG64.2
  • Price£22,165

Variants We Have Tested

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