Hoot Car Guides Renault Clio

The Renault Clio was introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the much-loved Renault 5, and was a popular choice in the UK from the very start - due in part to the long-running 'Nicole and Papa' TV ad campaign that went along with it.

By 1992, it had become the first Renault to reach the top 10 of the British car sales cart, and it's stayed there practically ever since (1998 was the sole exception). That kind of success translates into sales of 850,000 Clios in the past 15 years - or 1,200 a week.

The car is as popular with critics as it is with the public, winning numerous awards both here and abroad. It has been voted European Car of the Year twice (1991 and 2006), and was the 2006 What Car? Supermini of the Year.

It isn't hard to see why the Clio garners such praise and attention. It's a very safe, refined, stylish, comfortable and economical car, boasting 5-star NCAP ratings, affordable Renault car insurance premiums, and 'va-va-voom' (whatever that means) in spades.

The Renault Clio at first glance
Now in it's third generation, the Clio's latest (2005) facelift isn't such a severe restyling as we've seen on other popular superminis (notably the Vauxhall Corsa), but it's in no danger of looking boring. If anything, the new shape is reminiscent of a slightly-less-curvaceous Megane.

The Clio III makes a conscious effort to go upmarket on its predecessors, with a roomier and better-appointed interior. Controls and are well laid-out, and the dashboard, seats and other fittings are all finished to a high quality.

What's it like to drive?
In the city, the new Clio performs faultlessly as its previous incarnations. Handling is light and easy, making parking and other manoeuvres a doddle, and it grips the road like driving on Velcro. Engine- and wind noise barely penetrate the cabin, making for a serenely refined drive.

However, this super-sized Clio is substantially heavier than before (think 130kgs heavier - the equivalent of two extra passengers), and it really hurts performance on the flat.

At the expense of nippiness, Renault have opted to preserve the older models' excellent fuel economy by ramping up the gearing on their latest offering. It means that any engine under a 1.4 feels dangerously overworked once you hit the A-roads or motorways.

Space and seating
All that extra room in the cabin means that the Clio can now accommodate four people with ease, even in the three-door versions. However, taller drivers and others who require seat-height and full steering column adjustment will have to shell out for one of the more expensive models.

The boot space is also larger than in previous generations, but it comes with a high lip that makes loading luggage or shopping into something of a work-out.

Safety features
Renault has made a point of wooing the safety-conscious with all its latest models, and the new Clio has earned a faultless 5-star NCAP rating for Adult Occupant protection. Four airbags is the minimum, with a total of eight available on more expensive versions, and anti-lock brakes come as standard.

However, the model's reputation for safety continues to be marred somewhat by reports of a faulty bonnet catch on the Clio II. Renault refuses to acknowledge that such a problem exists, but the BBC's Watchdog programme has uncovered 250 cases where drivers' safety was apparently put at risk - leading to many costly car insurance claims.

Price and running costs
List prices range from £8,995 to £15,995, but as with all cars in the highly-competitive supermini market, they're open to negotiation. On top of that, the Clio's excellent reputation means it'll hold its value better than most in the coming years.

It may detract from the car's performance, but Renault's decision to raise its gearing means fuel efficiency stays as good as ever on the Clio III. Added to that, the many modern refinements mean it qualifies for impressively cheap car insurance, whatever engine size you opt for.

Buying secondhand
Limited depreciation works against you when buying a used Clio, but earlier (think pre-2000) models can be had for a song and should still drive perfectly if they've been well looked-after. Regular secondhand buyers might also be interested by the Clio II, which is still in production as the Clio 'Campus', and available at bargain prices.

Looking for Renault car insurance?
If you're planning on buying a new or used Clio, you'll want to safeguard your investment with an excellent Renault car insurance policy - and that's where Hoot Car Insurance Services comes in.

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