Reader Test Team Renault Clio

Mk5 small hatch gains more space, a redesigned interior and plug-in hybrid power

- Kris Culmer

AS IT APPROACHES its 30th birthday, the Clio has a lot to celebrate, having surpassed 15 million sales globally and thus become the best-selling model in Renault’s long history.

It will arrive at its big bash in brand new, fifth-generation form. Fresh underpinnings should improve its ride and handling, while it has evolutionary exterior styling – apparently because the way it looks is cited by customers as primary among its attractions. However, the changes are much more pronounced inside. The design is centred around a 9.3in infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument panel (7.0in or 10.0in). Renault also says the new Clio’s materials are the plushest of any small car, although Audi and Mini might raise an eyebrow at that.

The engines will be 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo petrols and – quelle surprise! – a 1.5-litre diesel. More relevantly, the Clio will next year become the first of its ilk to offer plug-in hybrid power.

Is Clio numéro cinq enough of a progression? To find out, we invited our readers to sample it.

Age 27

Job Campaign manager

Drives Ford Fiesta

“I’m looking for something to replace the old Ford Fiesta I learnt to drive in, and the new Clio really caught my eye. It’s a more refi ned, much sleeker version of the old design, which still looks beautiful today.