Renault somehow improves upon the perfect formula

WE visited Paris last week for the global unveiling of the all-new Renault Clio, a car that has long been a benchmark in its class and remains one of the most iconic names in European motoring.

- By Justin Delaney

The sixth generation made its debut with a sharper, more assertive design than we expected, a distinctive nose and proportions that signal Renault's intentions to revitalise the Clio name.

Since its launch in 1990, the Clio has been at the heart of Renault's success and has held a special place for motorists everywhere, myself included. The first generation carries extra meaning for me, as it was my mother’s car of choice for her daily journeys.

It disrupted the market by bringing big-car features to the compact segment, earning a reputation for quality and innovation.

DOMINATE

Over five generations, it has twice been crowned European Car of the Year, spawned legendary variants such as the Clio Williams and the mid-engined V6, and shifted nearly 17 million units across 120 countries!

This makes it the bestselling French car of all time and even this year the little Clio continues to dominate European sales, topping the charts in the first half of 2025.

This sixth-generation model arrives with a design we were not expecting. A longer bonnet, extended wheelbase and wider track give it proportions closer to a coupé than a traditional hatchback, while a sloping roofline, integrated spoiler and shark fin antenna complete the stylish profile.