Item: Used Renault Clio 2019-present
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

If the Clio is a touch too tame in the handling department, consider a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a>. It has a smaller boot and isn't as spacious in the back, but it is one of the most engaging small cars to drive and some updates in 2020 introduced some very efficient mild-hybrid engine options.

For unsurpassed comfort without having to resort to the expense of an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a1/hatchback/used-review/n19880">Audi A1</a>, try a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a>. Ride comfort is hugely impressive for a car in this class, plus all the controls have that extra layer of&nbsp;slickness to justify the additional expense of the Polo.

<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/renault/clio?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2020">Find a used Renault Clio for sale with&nbsp;What Car? Used Car deals&nbsp;&gt;&gt;</a></h3>

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3>Power steering failure</h3>

A small number of Clios made between 1 June and 31 November 2019 have an issue with the power steering system. A warning message may appear in the instrument cluster, and the driver may notice less assistance, too. If this happens to you or you're informed of this recall, it'll need to have the steering column replaced by your Renault dealer.

This generation of Clio is a little too new to have appeared in the&nbsp;latest What Car? Reliability survey.&nbsp;Unfortunately, Renault&nbsp;as a brand was second to last out of 31 car manufacturers, which isn't great news, but maybe the latest version will do better.

If you'd&nbsp;like to see the full reliability list, head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.

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Hatchback

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

CLIO

The Renault Clio has always been a sensible small car choice for those with refined tastes, but is it one of the best used car choices?

Used Renault Clio 2019-present

<h3>MPG</h3>

The most economical Clio so far is the 1.5 diesel at 67.2mpg, followed closely by the hybrid at 64.2mpg. There isn't a whole lot of difference between the 1.0 SCe and 1.0 TCe at 52.3mpg and 54.3mpg, respectively.&nbsp;

Opting for the 1.3 TCe does drop efficiency down to 48.7mpg, but then it is lumbered with an automatic gearbox.

<h3>Car tax (VED)</h3>

Every Clio will be subject to the current flat rate fee for car tax, and none will fall foul of the additional surcharge for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new.&nbsp;To find out more about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.

<h3>Servicing</h3>

Fixed price servicing doesn't apply to this generation of Clio yet because all are&nbsp;still under manufacturers warranty, but you can sort out fixed price servicing to spread the costs. A three-year/30,000 miles plan costs £499 upfront of £9.99 per month, or you can go for a longer four-year/40,000 mile policy at £749 upfront or £13.99 per month.

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While it won't trouble a Ford Fiesta for fun or a Volkswagen Polo for ride comfort, the Clio continues to be a great all-rounder that'll tick enough boxes to suit most needs. Stick with a mid-range model for the best value.

Pricing for the latest Clio starts at around £11,000 for an entry-level Play model, while our preferred Iconic is only a little bit more at £11,500.

Expect to pay £15,000 or more for the more potent 1.3 TCe version.&nbsp;

To keep up to date with used Clio prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal. 

Check the value of a used Renault Clio with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">What Car? Valuations</a>

<h3>Engine</h3>

For most people's needs, the 99bhp 1.0 TCe will offer the best blend of performance and fuel economy. The hybrid has only just been launched and will take some time to filter through to used car forecourts.

An 84bhp diesel is the only option if you cover big mileages, but you really need to be covering huge distances annually to justify the expense over the 1.0 TCe petrol.

<h3>Specification</h3>

While entry-level Play has plenty of standard safety technology, we'd recommend going for the next rung up (Iconic) because that has some useful added luxuries and an infotainment system you can utilise smartphone mirroring with.

Our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/renault">Renault</a> Clio: 1.0 100 TCe Iconic

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

Most examples of this generation of Clio will still be within the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/renault">Renault</a> franchised dealer network and should have been refurbished to look like new, so your walk-around looking for damage shouldn't take long.

Make sure that the infotainment system has received the latest software updates to ensure it operates as it should.

If you're looking for a&nbsp;sensible used&nbsp;small car, you'll be expecting us to recommend something German and probably named after a certain round sweet. However, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/renault">Renault</a> Clio has long been a safe choice not just for its crashworthiness, but because it's a fairly classy alternative to key rivals that is, usefully, a fair bit cheaper to buy.

Engine options begin with an underpowered 73bhp 1.0 SCe petrol, followed by two turbocharged versions of the same engine in 89bhp TCe and 99bhp TCe forms. Above these are&nbsp;a 128bhp 1.3 TCe engine that comes exclusively with a seven-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#4">dual-clutch automatic</a>,&nbsp;or&nbsp;a 138bhp 1.6 E-TECH hybrid that was added to the range in late 2020.

There are four different trim levels beginning with the entry-level Play that has LED headlights, cruise control,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a>,&nbsp;lane-keep assistance and traffic sign recognition&nbsp;as standard. Iconic is a little smarter looking with 16in alloy wheels, along with&nbsp;rear parking sensors and a 7in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring.

S Edition gives you bigger 17in wheels, climate control, front parking sensors and the largest 9.3in touchscreen that includes a reversing camera. You also get a 7in digital instrument cluster. Topping the range is a sportier-looking with more aggressive exterior styling and plenty of red stitching in the interior.

You're best bet is to avoid the 1.0 SCe and go for the 1.0 TCe instead because even the more muscular 99bhp version requires a fair bit of stoking to make progress. The 1.3 TCe on the other hand is far more urgent and is paired remarkably well with its auto 'box.&nbsp;

While the latter engine is more than a match for what's available in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a>, the Clio can't topple its rivals to drive. The steering is pleasant enough but too vague and not quick enough to best the Fiesta for engagement, nor can the suspension cushion you from the sharp shocks of potholes or ridges in the road like a Polo can, and the Clio&nbsp;tends to feel choppy and fidgety at speed in comparison. The Clio also isn't as well isolated from wind noise&nbsp;as its latter rival, either.

Still, at least the Clio (apart from the basic Play model) is quite plush&nbsp;inside thanks to an abundance of soft touch materials. The driving position has plenty of adjustment and S Edition and above get more supportive, heavily bolstered sports&nbsp;seats. Rear seat leg and head room isn't as generous as the Polo, but it is far better than in a Fiesta. Also, the boot in the Clio is noticeably bigger than that of either rival, even if the high lip makes loading items awkward.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/renault/clio?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2020">used Clio</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/small">small cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Used Renault Clio 2019-present review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Renault Clio hatchback?