Renault Clio E-Tech: test, price, consumption and technical data sheet

A few months after its launch we got back on board the new Renault Clio, now in its sixth generation. A small car that has always been aimed at people, counting on a good quality/price ratio and practicality, with the current series it takes a decisive step forward in terms of design, finishes and digital interface. Not that the fifth series was inferior to the fourth, what is certain is that Renault has worked and is working well in recent years to make its products of a higher category in quality. Watch out for the prices: they start from 18,900 euros for the 1.2 TCe with 114 HP but you need more 22,850 to have E-Tech with full hybrid technology. Finally, a check for 27,150 euros must be written for the richest Esprit Alpine trim level, which is impressive – and not a little – for its finishes, attention to detail, chosen materials and color combinations. It will soon also be available with a bi-fuel LPG engine.

1 It changes a lot

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As anticipated, the sixth generation of Renault Clio takes an important step forward in several respects. The small car is the spokesperson for a new stylistic direction by combining an athletic and sporty look with more generous external and internal dimensions, to the full advantage of habitability, while remaining slim, agile and easy to manoeuvre. They touch each other 4.12 meters in length, 7 cm more than before, while the profile of the rear window – very inclined, almost Coupé-like – does not create any particular discomfort for rear passengers, when present. The light signature is entirely new, with the front one recalling the lozenge logo, a shape promoted quite clearly by the enormous grille. The light signature at the rear is also surprising, with two separate blocks on each side. The visual impact is remarkable, especially at the front, in the blue and red colours, two of the seven available.

2 Inside the cockpit

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Inside the car – tested in Esprit Alpine setup first for around 1,000 km and then on the occasion of a specific urban driving event at an event organized by Renault – it impresses with its construction quality, solidity, interior finishes, contrasting stitching, chosen materials, attention to detail and technology. Forget the plastics of the B-segment cars of the past, here you can perceive attention to everything that surrounds the driver and passengers of a higher-segment car, it’s worth saying. The modern interior integrates the multimedia system OpenR Link with integrated Google functions, such as Maps, Assistant and Play Store, inserted within a 10.1″ diagonal infotainment system display, now placed horizontally rather than vertically, decidedly more pleasing to the eye and also more comfortable to use. Renault underlines how a future software update will replace the current voice assistant with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. It will be interesting to understand how and to what extent it will be able to interact with navigation data, car data and applications. and with the whole ecosystem, it is certain that it can represent a great turning point to be less distracted, letting our voice give precise orders rather than having to necessarily navigate the submenus.

3 Engine and gearbox

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Still built on the Cmf-B platform, the new generation Clio abandons the 1.6 E-Tech to embrace a new 1.8, always naturally aspirated and always with four inline petrol cylinders. Alone it is capable of delivering up to 109 HP of maximum power but the integration with the two electric motors – one of which is used for traction on the front wheels – allows it to reach up to 160 HP overall. As on the previous model and as on other cars of the brand, we find the gearbox Multimode 4+2with 4 dynamic ratios for the endothermic and 2 for the electric, so as to have a multitude of possible combinations in order to guarantee smooth running. In reality, as tested several times and we are going to confirm it here, when used in a slightly sporty way the limits of a gearbox of this type emerge, whose natural habitat is that of the city perimeter. In an urban context the car can drive on electric power up to 80% of the time, optimizing consumption.

4 Behind the wheel

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The sixth generation of Renault Clio impresses, among other things, also due to its precise and satisfying driving dynamics: as mentioned, the proven Cmf-B platform confirms that – if combined with a non-SUV car – it can provide emotions and satisfaction. AND reactivewith rather direct steering and a suspension calibration that is an excellent balance between comfort and sportiness. In short, in the absence of hot hatch true in this segment, this Clio E-Tech is positioned as one of the most fun and safest small cars on the market. The total 160 HP of the powertrain are enhanced in Sport mode, while the current Smart – which replaces the previous Perso – has the ability to change between Eco, Comfort and Sport completely automatically based on the driving style adopted by the driver in a given situation. Too bad the operating logic of the automatic transmission Multimode 4+2, useful in the city and in congested contexts where it does an excellent job, less so when you want to have a little fun.

5 Consumption

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Alternating motorway stretches at 130 km/h (or perhaps even something more) with extra-urban trips and a few km in the city, the Clio recorded an excellent average mileage of 20.8 km/leven reaching 27.8 km/l in the best possible context – the city one – where the Clio proceeds most of the time in electric mode, spreading the energy recovered in the regeneration phase (accentuated, in the case of a gearbox in Brake mode). In short, given the good consumption of this Clio, Renault’s full hybrid technology confirms itself as one of the best in the modern automotive panorama without giving up respectable performance: we are still talking about a compact car capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in just over 8 seconds, a time that until a few years ago was not only the prerogative of much sportier cars, but also with very different consumption.

6 Pros and cons

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Below are the strengths and weaknesses of the Renault Clio E-Tech found during our test.

• sporty and intriguing design, especially at the front;
• well-maintained interiors, pleasant to the eye and to the touch;
• the Cmf-B platform drives well, the car is reactive, safe, well balanced and with an excellent chassis;
• the starting price of 18,900 euros is inviting by today’s standards, the E-Tech in Esprit Alpine trim is more demanding, but it is made really well.

• induction charging, often the smartphone does not stay charged because it moves just enough to no longer take a charge;
• gearbox, silence and smooth running are only perceptible in a city context, the operating logic of the Multimode 4+2 continues to be unconvincing when the speed increases
• three levers just on the right of the steering column are too many, for years the volume controls should have been integrated into the dashboard.