Renault Clio: New and old generation in comparison
It's one of the few major innovations at the IAA Mobility 2025 with a combustion engine: the new Renault Clio. The sixth generation of the popular small car will be launched in Germany in early 2026. What are the differences between it and its predecessor? We've made an initial comparison on paper.
It's obvious at first glance: the evolutionary leap between the new sixth-generation Renault Clio and its fifth-generation predecessor is here, and it's a big one. Of course, the basic platform remains the CMF-B, but it has evolved in terms of comfort, driving dynamics, sound insulation, and design. The more modern and angular styling of the Clio VI goes hand in hand with new, more powerful engines.
The exterior design of the new Renault Clio differs significantly from that of the previous model. Certain design elements are recognizable, such as the accentuated rear flanks or the "cheese-shaped" door handles behind the side window.
Nevertheless, the sixth generation differs significantly from its predecessor. The new Clio is distinguished primarily by its expansive grille, separated by the headlights positioned between the bumper and the hood. The hood is slightly more rounded at the front, giving the Clio a more "snouty" look.
Image by: Renault
Renault Clio facelift (2023)
The light signature of the front daytime running lights is completely new and echoes the diamond-shaped Renault logo, while the rear features four individual lights. For the first time, 18-inch alloy wheels are available, and the wheel arches are accentuated by black arches (matte or glossy) on all models.
The Clio has grown in all dimensions compared to the previous generation: in length – with extended overhangs – by 67 mm to 4,116 mm, in width by 39 mm to 1,768 mm, and in height by 11 mm to 1,451 mm. The wheelbase has increased only minimally.
| Model | length | Width | Height | Width |
| Renault Clio (2026) | 4.12 meters | 1.77 meters | 1.45 meters | 2.59 meters |
| Renault Clio (2023) | 4.05 meters | 1.73 meters | 1.44 meters | 2.58 meters |
New and old Clio, side by side
The interior of the new Renault Clio also represents a significant generational leap; it is largely reminiscent of the electric Renault 5. For example, the automatic gearshift lever, but the future base Clio will also be available with a manual transmission.
But the entire dashboard also features a V-shaped dual 10.1-inch display (depending on the version), with the central screen facing the driver. Unique in this segment is the OpenR Link system with integrated Google Assistant.
New Renault Clio (2025), two 10-inch screens and automatic gearshift lever on the steering wheel
Image by: Renault
Particular attention was paid to the use of environmentally friendly materials and recycled plastic, as well as to additional storage compartments such as the one in the center console. The compact steering wheel has fewer turns between its two end stops (2.6 instead of 3.3).
What Clio owners immediately notice during their first test drive: There's finally a reasonable amount of space in the rear, with plenty of legroom. Speaking of space: The trunk of the Clio VI has a capacity of at least 391 liters, which likely applies to the gasoline version, and the loading sill is 4 cm lower than the old model. The full hybrid is expected to have slightly less volume. However, the maximum load capacity with the rear seats folded down is not yet known.
Renault Clio (2023): separate screens and more classic design with gear lever in the console
The old Renault Clio, which was launched in 2019 and received a facelift in 2023, has a more classic interior with 7- to 10-inch digital instruments and a 10-inch central screen in portrait format.
The gearshift lever is located in the center of the center console, which also houses the climate control controls. The 2023 Clio has a trunk that starts at 301 liters for the full hybrid and holds up to 391 liters for the gasoline version. The maximum capacity is 1,069 liters.
| Model | instrumentation | Infotainment | trunk |
| Renault Clio (2026) | Digital 10.1" | 10" screen | 391/nd liters |
| Renault Clio (2023) | Digital 7" and 10" | 10" screen | 301-979 liters (hybrid), 391-1,069 liters |
The new Renault offers more powerful engines than before, starting with the 115 hp 1.2 TCe petrol engine with manual transmission (with optional EDC automatic transmission). The base 67 hp naturally aspirated petrol engine is no longer available. The 120 hp bi-fuel petrol LPG 1.2 Eco-G is very attractive due to its low running costs, but it won't be available in Germany.
This already applied to the diesel engine in the Clio, which was also not available in Germany. The E-Tech full hybrid is intended to serve as its replacement. It now uses the electrified 1.8 four-cylinder engine from the Dacia Bigster , but with 158 hp and a multi-mode automatic transmission.
The full hybrid system combines two electric motors (a 36 kW drive motor and a 15 kW high-voltage starter-generator) with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder direct-injection Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. The gasoline engine develops 80 kW/109 hp (an increase of 11 kW/15 hp over its predecessor) and is paired with a new intelligent clutchless multi-mode transmission and a 1.4 kWh battery.
Clio (2025): More power for petrol, LPG and full hybrid
Image by: Renault
Clio (2023), the last model with a diesel engine
The now-old fifth-generation Renault Clio continues to feature the 1.0 three-cylinder petrol engine with 67 hp (naturally aspirated) and 90 hp (turbocharged). In addition, there's the 1.6 E-Tech full hybrid with 145 hp. In other European countries, it's also available as a bi-fuel LPG petrol engine with 100 hp (only available from Dacia in Germany), as well as a 1.5 Blue dCi turbodiesel with 100 hp.
| Model | petrol | Diesel | LPG | Full hybrid |
| Renault Clio (2025) | 1.2 TCe / 115 hp | - | 1.2 Eco-G / 120 hp | 1.8 E-Tech / 158 hp |
| Renault Clio (2023) | 1.0 SCe / 67 HP1.0 TCe / 90 HP | Blue dCi / 100 hp | 1.0 Eco-G / 100 hp | 1.6 E-Tech / 145 hp |
There is no official price list yet for the new Renault Clio, but it is expected to be available to order in Germany towards the end of 2025. It will be available in three trim levels: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine, and even the entry-level "Evolution" version comes with extensive standard equipment.
Included are adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver fatigue warning, automatic parking brake, 10-inch central display with smartphone screen mirroring, textile-covered dashboard, height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, and rear parking sensors.
Techno offers the OpenR link multimedia system with integrated Google Services (Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play), automatic climate control, dark tinted rear windows, automatically dimming interior mirror, front center armrest, LED ambient lighting, MULTI SENSE settings, keycard hands-free, automatically folding exterior mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear view camera, high beam assistant, rain sensor, six speakers.
Source: Motor1.com Germany
Esprit Alpine features Alcantara accents and exclusive finishes, aluminum pedals, wireless charging, height-adjustable passenger seat, logo projection, 18-inch alloy wheels with blue accents, Clio logos and a monogram in dark chrome, striking design elements on the front and bumper, intelligent adaptive cruise control, front, side and rear parking sensors, blind spot warning, exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and reversing emergency braking.
The old Clio currently starts at €19,350 in Germany for the naturally aspirated gasoline engine, while the turbocharged gasoline engine costs at least €20,250. The new model is likely to start at this price point as well. Due to the increased performance, we expect the base model to start at around €21,000.
The Clio’s competitors:
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