"I see Ford, Mazda and Peugeot...", "the worst taillights of the brand": is the design of the new Renault Clio a failure?

It's not easy to renew a best-seller: Renault is paying the price in a way with its new Clio , freshly unveiled at the beginning of the week with significant changes in terms of design. A new design that has provoked a wave of reactions on social networks, most of them negative.

Many observers seem to recognize models from other brands. Here's a selection:

"Ford grille, Mazda lights and an Alfa Romeo rear end... that's inspiration!!!" one Facebook user rages.

"Am I not the only one to see a Ford? Reassure me!!!", reacts one Internet user.

"I see Ford, Mazda and Peugeot," notes another comment.

The resemblance to Ford or Mazda models is most often seen in various social media posts.

The grille of this new Clio (photo above) has indeed evolved significantly compared to the fifth and current generation (photo below), with a logo now integrated and surrounded by diamond patterns whereas it was more the junction between the grille and the hood. We also note a significant evolution of the lighting signature.

A "snout" effect of the new front end that can be found on the Mazda 3.

A family resemblance also with the third-generation Mazda 2, especially in its phase 2 (2019-2022, pictured below) whose format is closer to a Clio. The current generation of the Mazda 2 is in fact a cousin of the Toyota Yaris with few differences between the two models.

Others see it more as a Ford Fiesta, as here with the last version marketed before the end of production of this model in 2023 .

Or perhaps a resemblance to a Ford Focus too? Here in the ST-Line X version:

The comparison with the Peugeot 208 is also often mentioned, particularly for the vehicle's lines and the wheel arches marked in black.

Marked wheel arches are also found on the 208, which also remains the Clio's main competitor.

The rear of the Clio also changes radically with four separate lights, instead of the usual two blocks .

"The worst taillights of the brand," reacts one X user.

A rather original light cutout which does not really have an equivalent in the current automotive offering or even concept cars. It is rather the inclined profile of the rear which can a priori evoke Alfa Romeo models like the latest Junior , but also the Renault Rafale .

Nothing to do with the design, but many comments also criticize Renault for no longer offering a diesel engine in the catalog, while the current generation can still have the dCI 90.

"No diesel? That's enough to convince you not to buy it!!" one Facebook user fumed.

Many also point out that the rearview camera, which was in the center of the logo, as on the Captur, was the subject of numerous thefts . It is now located under the trunk opening, just above the license plate. No doubt, or at least we hope, it will be more difficult to steal.

While Renault hasn't really given any details on the genesis of this new design for the Clio, the presentation of this model comes a few weeks after the departure of Gilles Vidal. The designer arrived in 2020 from Peugeot and will be making his return to the Stellantis group .

It is Laurens Van den Acker, style director since 2009 at Renault, but who had risen to prominence within the group with four brands (Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Mobilize) in recent years, who should "take things in hand", as a comment on X hopes.

A comment that strongly criticizes the design of this new Clio, highlighting the lack of consistency with Renault's latest creations such as the Scénic , the Rafale or the Emblème concept car .

It was indeed Laurens Van den Acker who designed the Clio 4, launched in 2012 and inspired by the 2010 DeZir concept car . The Clio 5 (before its major 2023 facelift) largely followed the design of the previous model. It remains to be seen whether the Dutch designer will take over direct control of the Renault brand's design or whether he will oversee Gilles Vidal's as-yet-unannounced successor.

While negative comments are the most common, others still welcome Renault's boldness:

"At least the Clio 6 is innovative, it's a change from the Clio 5 which was a facelift of the Clio 4," remarks one X user .

Others highlight a break that is necessarily complicated to assume for this new design, but which should end up being imposed:

"It's time to get used to it because the old one is part of the landscape. Nice model, completely different. It has some Ford and Mazda vibes, but it's done well. Its look/design is in line with the current trend. You'll either love it or hate it, like any model," reads a comment on Facebook.

Finally, some people seem to particularly like this design:

"Very beautiful, a grille reminiscent of the Avantime and a very Latin rear end."

"Superb as usual, the Clio models have always been avant-garde and what's more, they're popular. Long live the Clio," reacts another long-time fan of this best-selling model from the diamond brand.