Renault Clio 2014 Review

Away from the performance specials they produce from time to time, it's difficult to think of a French car in the past few years that ticked all the boxes. And when the Gallic triumvirate do get a vehicle right (Citroen DS3, for example) then it's invariably overpriced. Usually, though, they just fall into the middle of the road yet still charge a premium.

Even in Europe, where prices are more realistic, sales are suffering. In a market that's been falling since the financial crisis, French brands are drilling into bedrock. Renault sales are down 6 per cent year to date, Peugeot 10 per cent and Citroen 13 per cent.

Strangely, Australia represents a rare ray of sunshine for Renault: sales are up 37 per cent. This year, for the first time since its return to Australia more than a decade ago, it will outsell Peugeot. If it keeps importing cars such as its new Clio, which arrived last month, then it will repeat the trick.

This small hatchback is Renault's best-seller in Europe but the previous generation came here only as an expensive performance variant. The new Clio marks the return of a mainstream Renault runabout. It's already beating its rival, the Peugeot 208, in Europe and deserves to do the same here. With a $16,790 starting price, it's one of the cheapest ways into a European badge. A 208 is at least $1700 more.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The entry Clio is powered by a 900cc three-cylinder petrol engine, but thanks to turbocharging it outperforms the 1.2-litre triple in the base 208, with another 6kW of power and 17Nm of torque. The Clio has better acceleration and feels easily capable of keeping up with city traffic. Peppy, even, while matching the 208 for fuel economy, at 4.5l/100km.

The only transmission at this level is a five-speed manual but, unless you're especially clutch-averse, this should not be a deal-breaker. The Clio is a composed little car that goes down the road with authority. A six-speed, double-clutch automatic is packaged with the larger engine, an 88kW turbocharged 1.2-litre four-cylinder. This has more oomph and while the transmission cannot completely avoid some of the failings of this technology, such as hesitation at small throttle openings, its rolling response is very good.

DESIGN

The Clio is longer than the 208 and has a marginally smaller boot. The rear space won't impress basketballers but if your back-seat passengers are children or your journeys short, then it's enough. Visibility could be better, but controls -- unusually in a French car -- have logic you can follow.

The clincher is the Clio's design, first fruit of a new studio chief poached from Mazda. Making a small car look attractive isn't easy, and the Mazda 2 now has a rival. Better still, the Clio can be customised with all sorts of interior and exterior trims.

VERDICT

I wouldn't recommend the bordello red in the test car, but the Clio itself is well worth a look.

RANGE

Clio Authentique TCe 90 0.9-litre petrol five-door hatch: from $16,790 (manual)
Clio Expression TCe 90 0.9-litre petrol five-door hatch: from $17,790 (manual)
Clio Expression TCe 120 1.2-litre petrol five-door hatch: from $19,790(automatic)
Clio Dynamique TCe 120 1.2-litre petrol five-door hatch: from $23,290(automatic)

Renault Clio 
Price: from $16,790-$23,290
Capped servicing: 3 years
Service intervals: 12 months/15,000km
Engine: 0.9L turbo 3-cylinder, 66kW/135Nm; 1.2L turbo 4-cylinder, 88kW/190Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 6-speed dual clutch auto, FWD
Thirst: 4.5L/100km (0.9L engine), 5.2L/100km (1.2L engine)
Dimensions: 4.06m (L), 1.73m (W), 1.45m (H)
Weight: 1019kg-1104kg
Spare: Temporary