What is the new entry-level Renault Clio priced at €18,500 worth?

Recently restyled, the Renault Clio remains the queen of the B segment. Is the leading model in the catalog still relevant?

Perhaps slightly more media-focused than in the past, as it faces competition from urban small SUVs, B-segment stars remain top sellers. Since its launch in 2019, nearly 2 million units of the Renault Clio have been produced, which did not discourage the diamond brand from updating its style. Less so in terms of technical updates.

There was a need to bring consistency to the design codes of the range, especially with the recent arrivals of the electric Megane, Austral, Espace, and soon Rafale. The Captur will now be the black sheep, until its next facelift as well…

With its new look, featuring arrow-shaped daytime running lights and redesigned bumpers (notably at the rear), the Clio is gearing up for another 4-5 years. It is also one of the last opportunities to enjoy a fully thermal model that isn’t too expensive to buy, but less costly to operate compared to an equivalent electric model.

Priced at €18,500 as a starting price, the Clio immediately offers a “free” option: the metallic Valencia Orange color. Always more appealing than standard white. The 16-inch wheels are equipped with plastic hubcaps, but the overall look remains dynamic. Regarding the spare wheel, there is no standard inclusion; it is an optional extra costing €200.

The Evolution trim level already comes with very generous equipment: manual air conditioning, rear parking assist, power front windows, heated and electric mirrors, cruise control, a 7-inch digital display (smartphone mirroring), and all the current legal safety features in Europe such as lane keeping assist and automatic headlight activation.

Under the hood, you’ll find a small 1.0-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine delivering 65 horsepower. Not particularly thrilling, but fuel consumption is kept low at 5.3 liters/100 km in mixed WLTP cycles. Expect to add around 1 liter per 100 km, approximately 6.5 liters. Performance-wise, 0 to 100 km/h takes 17.1 seconds! Merging into traffic, especially on highways, should be well-planned to avoid danger. And this figure is measured with only the driver on board. With five people plus luggage…

Given its modest power and torque (95 Nm), long highway trips should be limited to 110-120 km/h to protect the engine, as the maximum speed doesn’t exceed 160 km/h (absolute).

With CO2 emissions of just 120 g per kilometer, this Clio avoids any eco-tax penalty, which is an important consideration.

Ultimately, we strongly recommend opting for the TCe 100 LPG version, slightly more expensive at €1,800, but eligible for the scrappage bonus if you replace an old vehicle. This turbo engine offers significantly more power (100 hp) and torque (160 Nm), and its LPG fueling (less than 1 euro per liter) will save money in the long run.