The Clio’s update ushered in bolder, sharper styling than the previous iteration, bringing it into line with the brand’s new design identity. It features an enlarged chequered grille, a fresh lighting signature and Renault’s new, and simplified, 2D logo. At the rear, it receives redesigned brake lights and a more angular bumper.
It remains largely unchanged inside, with a new 10.0in edgeless instrument display (7.0in on lesser trims) added. Top trims continue to get the 9.3in infotainment touchscreen.
An uplift in material quality arrives as part of Renault’s recently pledged push for profit, integrating more soft-touch materials around the dashboard and doors. However, the car is now not offered with any leather trims – a nod to sustainability. Options packages have also been simplified.
The range is topped by the new Esprit Alpine trim, first offered on the Renault Austral SUV, with bespoke badging, colours and diamond-cut 17in alloy wheels. Pricing for this variant starts from £20,595, still undercutting mainstream rivals.
“Clio has enthralled us with every new generation,” Renault design vice-president Gilles Vidal said in April. “The new Clio E-Tech successfully combines generous shapes and chiselled volumes with very technical, structured, precise and efficient lines.”
Additional reporting by Will Rimell
