Small crossovers are becoming more popular thanlight hatchbacks, but that doesn’t mean the latter’ssegment is doomed. The small hatch is still a favourite with first-time car buyers and city dwellers, which is whyRenault finally launched its Clio 5 in SA this week. We attended the launch event in the Western Cape.

New Clio?

The new Clio is slightly shorter than the outgoing model, but it’s more spacious inside.

Do you remember how our roads seemed to be flooded with new Flame RedRenault Cliosabout 3 or 4 years ago? Loads of Clio 4swere being sold back then. In fact, the Clio wasoften the 2nd or 3rd best-seller locally in the hatch segment (behind the VolkswagenPolo and Ford Fiesta/Hyundai i20). When that model ran its course, we expected that the Clio 5 would be introduced here shortly after its global launch in 2019. But no, pricing battles and stock issues delayed its introduction and thenCovid-19struck, which caused major delays, whichultimately rolled into the semi-conductor shortage.

Search for a used Clio here

Nevertheless, it’s now 2.5 years later and the Clio 5is finally on local soil (a facelifted model is probably due in mid-2023).The French contender is ready to go head-to-head with the newly updated Volkswagen Polo, a brand new Hyundai i20 and the Kia Rio (the Ford Fiesta is unlikely to be replaced with the facelifted version, so it doesn’t feature in the segment anymore). Can the Clio 5 challenge those mainstays? If it hopes to succeed in the market, ithas a few hurdles to overcome– first of all, there is no auto in the range (yet) and the manual is only a 5-speeder. The second is that supply is limited to around 500 units until constraints will ease aroundJuly 2022. That’s when we may see the introduction of an auto (CVT) derivative and anotherengine in the range(a 1.3-litre turbopetrol).

Sticking with this “new”model, the Clio 5 has quite a lot still going for it, as a matter of fact. It looks modern and fresh, offers high levels of in-car tech and feels sporty and confidence-inspiring to drive.

What’s the engine like in the Clio?

The 1.0-turbopetrol is more powerful than the previous model’s and is the same unit as fitted to the Kiger.

You only get one engine and gearbox combination as of now (Feb 2022) and that’s a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol mated with a 5-speed manual. It’s not quite the same unit as in the previous Clio (Clio 4),but the updated unit produces more power (74 kW) and torque (160 Nm) than before. The 5-speed gearbox is an interesting choice considering that most manual cars come with 6 gears nowadays, which, simply, helps to improve acceleration and fuel efficiency. The 5-speed actually feels quite solid for a Renault ‘box with a very direct and natural feel – you can slide between gears quite quickly.

The new engine gives the Clio 5 that extra cred on the spec sheet when comparing it with the Polo (everything gets compared with the Polo) and,out on the open road,it delivers good in-gear shove. While it can struggle a bit when ascending steep inclines, the powertrain accelerates smoothly and strongly on flatter roads, even when performing overtaking manoeuvres at speeds of over 100kph.

Fuel economy is claimed at 5.7 L/100 km, which is a bit thirstier than the previous model (which had a very ambitious claimed consumption figure, it must be said), but the new claim isstill in the ballpark for the segment. After our 250-km drive, we saw an indicated average consumption figure of 7.0 L/100 km, which could easily be bettered by a driver who has a “lighter right foot” than I do.

What’s the interior tech like?

The interior features more soft-touch surfaces and improved build quality.

Renault is usually quick to installnew tech inits models– the Kwidoffered Android Auto before you could get it in a BMW,for example. The brandcan sometimes fall shortin terms of the “touch and feel” of that tech, but the new Clio’sinterface feels more upmarket than that of its predecessor. The portrait-oriented touchscreen responds quickly to inputs andhas a colourful, high-resolution display.

We only sampled the top-of-the-range Intens derivative equipped with the option pack. All in, it costs R365k, but in its defence, it lacks for nothing, spec-wise. On top of the Intens grade, the option pack adds front parking sensors (all models have rear sensors), a reverse-viewcamera, 17-inch diamond-cut alloys, a slightly bigger (9.3-instead of 9.0-inch) touchscreenand a wireless charging pad.

For a list of the model-specific spec, click here

Meanwhile, the instrument cluster is fully digital,but you can only get a rev-counter readout when you engage Sport mode (whichimproves throttle response and weights up the steering), something which tends to be more important on a manual model than an auto. The screen is easy to read and you can scrollthrough the onboard trip computer with a quick press of the steering-wheel controls.

The airbag unit on the steering wheel has reduced in size, which allowsmore space on the wheel for buttons and more chrome inserts. The leather-trimmed ‘wheel rim feels tightly stitched and the chrome has a metallic feel to it, whereas some of the Renault’s competitors’ brightwork can feel plasticky.

Renault has continued to place the radio and volume controls on short stalks behind the ‘wheel, but the layout has changed;if you acquire a Clio 5, you’ll have to give yourself time to figure it all out.

Overall quality appears to be very premium. All the cabin materials are soft-touch and feel sturdily fastened. It’s a refreshing change to get into a contemporary Renault cabin that feels quite plush.

What’s the Clio like to drive?

Only fitted with a manual for now, the Clio is engaging to drive and good fun to hustle around in.

As with many cars in the segment, a new model isn’tnecessarily based on a fresh platform,but rather an evolutionofan existingone. Renault had tweaked the Clio’s chassis slightly and tuned its suspension to offerbetter road-holding and imbue the handling with a sportier feel. The ‘wheelreacts positively to steering inputs,but feels a little light in Eco and Multi Sense (Normal) mode before weighting up notably in Sport mode. The Clio 5’s fun to hustle around town and in sweeping bends – plus engaging with the manual ‘box adds a bit of extra technique to the fun driving experience.

As for ride comfort, the Renaultleans more towards the sporty side of things, but we were only able to test the Intens, which was fitted with the bigger(17-inch) alloys. The ride quality may be more supple in derivatives fitted with 16-inch alloys. The Clio 5 dealt with road imperfections quite well, which suggeststhe suspension is well-tuned for jaunts of sporty driving and trundling in the inner city.

Renault Clio Pricing

The new Renault Clio is sold with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a service plan.

Summary

Even if it is a bit of a late arrival, the Clio is still a worthy competitor right now.

I expectedto return from the Renault Clio 5’s launch feeling a little underwhelmedand withthe distinct impressionthat the French offering was 2years late to the party, but I was pleasantly surprised by how modern it feltthanks to good in-car tech, a more upmarket interior and a reasonablypunchyengine. An auto variant can’t come quickly enough, because commuters will increasingly prefer a self-shifting option, but Renault has a quality offering in the new Clio, which stands out from its overtly budget-oriented Kiger and Kwid siblings. We want to see more of thisfrom the French brand in SA.