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Renault Clio car review – a much more complete company car package

The new Clio feels more grown-up than ever before endowing it with the ability to tackle long distance journeys in comfort, as well as style.
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26 February 2013

Renault Clio
It’s distinctive and stylish, and joins the ranks of new models powered by 3-cylinder petrol engines. Very quiet, and returning nearly 63mpg

Renault Clio 0.9 TCe MediaNav road test

What is it?

It’s the brand new Renault Clio, aiming to bring style back to one of Europe’s most recognizable supermini names.

There’s more to it than that, though, with some new super-efficient three-cylinder engines under the bonnet and some hi-tech gadgets in the cabin. As ever, there’s stiff competition for supermini class honours, with the recently facelifted Ford Fiesta posing the most serious threat.

 

Renault Clio
Striking interior, with touchscreen satnav as standard on our test car

What’s hot?

  • We really like the way the Clio looks, especially the stylish rear. Admittedly the bulbous front end won’t be to all tastes but in terms of making an impression, the Clio is a big success.
  • The interior is similarly striking, with gloss black plastics, chrome-ringed dials and – on our test car – a bright red dashboard. Our MediaNav car came with an easy-to-use touchscreen sat-nav as standard, too.
  • This 0.9 TCe engine is extremely quiet on the move and it comes with some impressive figures, too. Fuel economy is 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions are just 105g/km, which puts it in the 13 per cent BIK band.
  • For the ultimate low-cost car go for the dCi eco2 model, which emits just 83g/km of CO2 and manages 88.3mpg.
  • The Clio feels more grown-up than ever before, with a comfortable ride and a nice weighting to all the controls. It feels as though you could tackle long journeys in it peacefully.

 

 

Renault Clio
The 0,9-litre engine doesn’t make the Clio that fast. Company car drivers may find their attention returning to the diesel

What’s not?

  • This 0.9 TCe engine may be refined and offer great fuel economy but it does feel very slow. The official 0-62mph time of 12.2 seconds is far from impressive, and this is the quickest engine in the range.
  • We still prefer the way the new Fiesta looks and we think that the Ford is a lot more fun from behind the wheel, too.
  • As it stands, there’s currently no automatic gearbox available in the Clio line-up.

 

Renault Clio
The new Clio looks and feels more ‘grown up’ than earlier models.

Business Car Manager verdict

The new Clio distils style, quality and value for money in to a compact package. It feels more grown-up than ever before endowing it with the ability to tackle long distance journeys in comfort, as well as style.

This new three-cylinder turbo engine delivers impressive economy figures and cheap running costs for company car drivers, but the diesel unit is even better in this respect.

Would we recommend the Clio? In isolation the answer is a yes, but compared with rivals like the Fiesta, which is excellent in every respect, the Clio doesn’t shine quite so brightly.

 

The Low Down…

Doors and body style  5-door hatchback
Engine/gearbox  0.9-litre 3-cyl petrol turbo/5-speed manual
CO2 Emissions  104g/km
Economy  62.8mpg
Power/torque  89PS/135Nm
0-62mph/top speed  12.2 secs/113mph
Insurance group  9E

…and what it costs

P11D Value  £14,940
Monthly business rental (ex VAT)  From £191
Road tax (VED)  Band B
Company Car Tax Bands 2012/13 to 2014/15  12%, 13%, 14%
Benefit in kind 2012/13 to 2014/15  £1793, £1942, £2092
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £485/£40
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%)  £970/£89
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%)  £359/£30
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%)  £717/£60
Figures correct at time of posting 
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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