Used Renault Clio for sale: everything you need to know
The Renault Clio is one of the most popular small cars throughout Europe. It’s often bought by Brits seeking to buy or lease a chic-looking small car with a bit more joie de vivre than the rest.
The latest Renault Clio line-up comprises a core 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with a perfectly-pitched 90PS power output. But there’s also now a hybrid version, with a compelling combination of 145PS and official fuel economy of over 65mpg. Renault has also honed the model line-up into four very well-equipped grades.
Rivals to the Renault Clio include the ever popular Ford Fiesta, the cheap to run Vauxhall Corsa and the Nissan Micra. Take a look at a Renault Clio for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer.
Should you buy a Renault Clio?
The Renault Clio is a very classy car. It has the sort of upmarket attention to detail you normally associate with premium-brand cars. The design is really well resolved and is maturing nicely.
The standout feature of the latest Renault Clio is its interior. Notably higher-quality than earlier versions of the Renault Clio, we love the contrasting colours, the well-placed central touchscreen and all the chrome detailing. The firm seats are comfortable and there’s a decent amount of room both front and rear. This is a nicely practical small car.
Equipment levels are super-impressive, too. Even the base Renault Clio features diamond-cut alloys, touchscreen sat-nav and a digital driver’s display instead of old-fashioned analogue instruments. The top-spec version has fancy brass detailing: the sort of touch you only normally find in luxury cars.
The excellent 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is all the motor you’d ever need. It’s not blisteringly fast, but has loads of pulling power and is really willing and effortless. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
The recent addition of petrol-electric hybrid tech is interesting. This version is appreciably more powerful, with 145PS, yet also has official fuel economy of nearly 66mpg – plus the promise of delivering great ‘real world’ economy, too. Although it’s a little pricer to buy or lease, you’re likely to save this and more in terms of fuel costs. It’s well worth considering.
We should also mention Renault’s excellent five-year, 100,000-mile new-car warranty (the mileage is unlimited for the first two years). It’s better than the average cover in this sector and shows Renault’s faith in the reliability of the latest Renault Clio.
The Renault Clio is a rightly popular small car. It stands out in the supermini sector for being upmarket and luxurious: a car more than able to take on posh alternatives such as the Volkswagen Polo.
It still looks good, with Renault offering a rich range of colours, and the interiors are tactile and welcoming. We like the refined approach of the affordable mid-spec Techno grade, but also the verve of the R.S. Line, which harks back to hot Renault Clios of yore. In either regular petrol or newer hybrid guise, it’s a car you’re unlikely to be disappointed with.
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What’s the best used Renault Clio model to buy?
City dwellers would do well to check out the Renault Clio with the E-Tech hybrid power option. With an electric motor and 1.6-litre petrol engine, Renault says 80 per cent of town driving can be achieved in EV mode with no tailpipe emissions. The E-Tech hybrid does command a price premium and some may feel its claimed 64.2mpg doesn't quite do enough to justify the extra.
Most buyers, though, will lean towards the 1.0-litre TCe 100PS turbo petrol. It’s a well-rounded choice thanks to lively performance in town and just enough performance to deal with motorway work. It would be good to see an extra gear for added refinement and economy when cruising rather than the five-speed ’box that Renault fits. Alternatively, you could opt for the seven-speed automatic gearbox.
With four trims to pick from, we’d head for the mid-level Iconic as you get plenty of luxury kit, the 7-inch infotainment screen and other touches such as 16-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.
Used Renault Clio fuel economy and performance
- Renault Clio SCe 75 petrol: The Clio's original entry-level engine didn't prove popular and was soon dropped from the range, but it could be the most affordable way into used Clio ownership. It has 72PS and 0-62mph takes a leisurely 15.9 seconds. Fuel economy is 52,3mpg, while CO2 emissions are 121g/km.
- Renault Clio TCe 90 petrol: The smooth 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo produces 90PS for a reasonable 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a fuel-saving top gear for average economy of 54.3mpg, along with CO2 emissions from 118g/km.
- Renault Clio TCe 100 petrol: Available when the Clio launched in 2019, but later dropped, this version of the TCe petrol engine has 100PS and has a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). CO2 emissions are 99g/km and it promises 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds with a fuel economy up up to 62.1mpg.
- Renault Clio TCe 130 petrol: The most powerful non-hybrid Clio comes only with an EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It has 130PS and will hit 62mph in 9.0 seconds, with a claimed MPG of 53.0. CO2 emissions are 118g/km.
- Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid 145 petrol: A 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combine to give the Renault Clio Hybrid a total power output of 145PS (or 140PS until 2022). With a standard six-speed automatic ’box, it does 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, yet can average 65.7mpg. All variants offer sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, with the best boasting a figure of 96g/km.
- Renault Clio Blue dCi 85 diesel: The Clio was originally offered with a diesel engine, although this was later dropped from the range. With 85PS, it managed 0-62mph in 14.7 seconds and promised up to 73.9mpg, with CO2 emissions of 94g/km.
What used Renault Clio trims levels are available?
When the Clio was launched in 2019 the trim levels were as follows:
- The Renault Clio Play was the entry-level grade, but it’s impressively equipped with full LED headlights, air conditioning, cruise control with a speed limiter and various active safety systems.
- The Renault Clio Iconic added a 'proper' infotainment syste, with a 7-inch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sat-nav. It also has alloy wheels, keyless entry and rear parking sensors.
- The Renault Clio S Edition features upgraded climate control air-con, a larger infotainment screen and automatic wipers and headlights, as well as bigger alloy wheels.
- The Renault Clio R.S. Line takes styling inspiration from earlier Renault Sport models, giving it a racier look. It also has a rear-view camera and front parking sensors.
- The Renault Clio Launch Edition was, as the name suggests, released to celebrate the arrival of the latest Clio. It sat at the top of the range, available only in Hybrid form. Features include a central armrest with extra storage, and an electronic parking brake.
Renault revised the trim levels for the Renault Clio in 2022 – and all feature boosted specifications.
- The Renault Clio Evolution may be the entry-level grade, but it’s hardly lacking in equipment, with alloy wheels, touchscreen infotainment and even sat-nav coming as standard.
- The Renault Clio Techno ups the level of tech, with LED fog lights, a rear-view camera, automatic lights and wipers, plus the Renault Multi-Sense driver profile system.
- The Renault Clio R.S. Line continues the sporty theme of Renaultsport models of old, with an R.S. Line body kit, sports seats and a larger infotainment touchscreen, combined with large-format digital instruments.
- The Renault Clio Lutecia Hybrid is an exclusive high-spec range-topper. It has an array of luxuries to make it more of a mini-limousine, including special upholstery, heated seats and climate control.
- The Renault Clio esprit Alpine was added in 2023 when the Clio was given a facelift, and it replaced the R.S. Line model. Only available with the hybrid powertrain, it features trim-specific badges, 17-inch black alloys, exclusive upholstery on more supportive seats and various red, white and blue elements to reflect the sporty colours of Renault's sister brand, Alpine.
Used Renault Clio dimensions and boot size
The Renault Clio’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4050mm
- Width: 1798mm
- Height: 1440mm
- Ground clearance: 200mm
The Renault Clio’s boot size is:
- 391 litres (Clio hybrid: 301 litres)
- 1069 litres with rear seats folded
Used Renault Clio road tax
Most used Renault Clios will cost a flat rate of £180/year in VED (tax), apart from the hybrid models which qualify for an annual discount of £10 (meaning you'll pay £170 a year). That's the same as any of its competitors - if you're looking for free road tax, you'll need an electric alternative like the Vauxhall Corsa-e or Peugeot e-208.
How much is it to insure a Renault Clio?
Because the Renault Clio range opens with a 90PS 1.0-litre turbo engine, it no longer boasts the ultra-low insurance ratings of older cars. The cheapest falls into a group 10 for insurance (out of 50 groups overall), moving up a group or two for more luxurious grades. The Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid starts from group 12, with the lavish range-topping version in group 18.
Read our full Renault Clio review
