Renault breaks the mold with the sixth generation of the Clio

Renault has just unveiled the sixth generation of the Clio, which will hit the market at the end of the year, although prices will be announced in October, coinciding with the opening of orders. Produced, like the current model, in Bursa (Turkey) , the most striking feature of the new Clio is its groundbreaking design, while maintaining the essence of a model that has been key to the diamond brand's sales.

The new Clio, a five-seater with four doors, features a very sporty style and a design full of innovative elements , created by the team led by Spanish architect Paula Fabregat, who described it as "sexy and dynamic with a radical design that surprises and continues to be a benchmark." Both the interior and exterior impress with their innovations and features, some borrowed from higher segments.

Remarkable growth

For this sixth generation of the Clio, Renault has introduced some changes to the CMF-B platform to create a model that grows in all dimensions while maintaining the proportions of its predecessor: it has gained four centimeters in width, up to 1.76 meters; 6.7 in length, reaching 4.11 meters; and eight in wheelbase, reaching 2.59 meters. It has even grown one centimeter in height. The trunk offers a capacity of 391 liters in the gasoline version, which with the hybrid is reduced to 310 liters to accommodate the battery under the floor. In this new generation, the height of the loading sill has also been lowered four cm to make it easier to load items.

With these basic characteristics, Renault's design team has created a small sedan that looks like a sports coupe. The roofline drops to a striking, radical, sculpted rear end that improves its aerodynamics. However, it's the front end that sets it apart: it's somewhat reminiscent of the previous Nissan Micra and, above all, a BMW with that large front kidney grille. Other interesting details include the dual rear lights, which reinforce its sporty appeal, and the side windows without visible rubber surrounds, giving it the look of a premium car.

Inside

The larger wheels and tires (18") make it look more solid and sporty. It combines with elements from other Renault models in the higher segment, such as the steering wheel and many of the 29 driving assistance systems. It also includes the 'My Safety Switch' button that can deactivate some of these functions if the alerts become too inconvenient.

Inside, we find a symmetrical dual screen that resembles an open book facing the driver. Both measure 10 inches. In versions with automatic transmission, the gearshift lever, similar to that of the new R5, is located behind the steering wheel, and the center console is covered with a tablet-like lid.

Three finishes

The most interesting interior elements are a transparent, backlit panel on the inside of the doors that can change color and alert you if the door is about to open and a pedestrian or cyclist passes by. I couldn't test how it works because during this first contact with the Clio, it was static.

The three trim levels (Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine) are distinguished by the front grille, which is made up of multiple diamonds like the Renault logo in different shades of black and dark blue. Highlighted throughout are the headlights, which give it a mysterious look, and the daytime running lights, which sit at the edge of the body and resemble half a diamond.

Without the made in France

For the upholstery, quilted fabrics are used for the seats, while the dashboard combines a plastic upper part with a fabric lower part, in black and grey gradient for Techno and in Esprit Alpine Alcantara and a piece on the sides in iridescent that imitates the burnt metal in the exhausts of supercars .

Renault (anticipating the problems previously experienced by Fiat and Alfa Romeo) has decided to remove the (in this case, French) flag sewn onto the seats to avoid conflicts over the car not being "made in France." It has replaced it with a sticker in the same colors.

Engine range

The diesel engine has been phased out of the engine range, and the focus has shifted to the new 160-horsepower E-Tech full hybrid engine, which Renault claims is the most efficient hybrid ever installed in one of its models. With a clutchless automatic transmission, the car always starts in electric mode, and with appropriate driving, in urban areas it can run exclusively in electric mode up to 80% of the time, reducing fuel consumption by up to 40% compared to a gasoline engine and CO2 emissions by 89%. Average fuel consumption is 3.9 l/100 km. The battery recharging system, which uses braking and inertia when lifting the accelerator pedal, is inspired by the system used in F1 single-seaters.

The range is completed by a 115-horsepower, three-cylinder gasoline engine that can be combined with manual or automatic transmissions, also with a low average consumption of 5 l/100 km. In mid-2026, the range will be completed with a 120-horsepower LPG and gasoline engine with automatic transmission that increases its range compared to the previous generation: 700 km on natural gas and 700 km on gasoline, giving it a total range of 1,400 km on a full tank. The official average consumption is 6.9 l/100 km with this engine.

Leader in its segment in Europe

The new Clio is also more recycled and recyclable than its predecessor. Twenty-four percent of the materials used in its manufacture are recycled. Fifty percent of the dashboard comes from recycled plastic, 39% of the center console, and 100% of the rear bumper. Fifty percent of the aluminum in some types of wheels is also recycled. Around 85% of the vehicle is recyclable.

The Clio, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, was launched in 1990 to replace the Supercinco and has been a commercial success since its launch. It was European Car of the Year in 1991 and 2006, and since its launch, more than 17 million units have been registered in 120 countries. Mitsubishi also markets it as the Colt. In the first half of this year, it was the leader in its segment in Europe.