Quick facts
Model: Renault Clio V Intens
Engine: 1L 3-Cylinder Turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed Manual
Power: 74kW & 160Nm
Fuel consumption: 5.7L/100km (claimed)
Top Speed: N/A
0-100km/h: 11.6sec
Price: R349 999 (without option pack)
The French are coming back with the heat and it shows. I recently spent a week testing the fifth-generation Renault Clio Itens. Since its latest unveiling in 2019, the fifth-generation Renault Clio has proven to be a solid contender in the compact hatch segment, a segment that is slowly dying, due to the over-saturation of compact SUVs/crossovers in the market.
Although I only managed to get one on test in 2023, The Clio V is not brand spanking new, due to some unfortunate circumstances, like the pandemic and the semiconductor shortage, the South African car market has fallen behind in some of the highly anticipated vehicles, and one of them was the Renault Clio V.
The Clio V competes amongst some of well know models in the segment such as the popular Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20, Peugeot 208, Kia Rio, and Suzuki Baleno just to name a few…
Exterior
The exterior of the Renault Clio V looks refreshed with a more modern and up-class stylish look. The designers at Renault have made significant improvements to the looks of the new Clio V by featuring Renault’s latest design language, which can be seen on the new C-Shade LED daytime running light, and a wider grille.
Interior & Tech
Let’s cut it to the chase, Renault has nailed it with the interior of the new Clio V. Ergonomically designed, and well-equipped. the new Clio V interior is fitted with comfortable and supportive part leather and cloth seats that gives a premium feel to the cabin.
Simple but yet very practical. the engineers have managed to keep the look of the Clio’s interior quite minimal but featured packed, with features such as Automatic climate control, and an intuitive/ hassle-free infotainment system that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. expect to find soft-touch materials fitted throughout the cabin, along with an immersive sound system.
The cabin is also kitted with customizable ambient lights that match the driving mode or the mood
The option pack includes
Front and rear reverse sensors with reverse parking sensors, a wider 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen boasting built-in navigation, as well stylish ”viva Stella ”diamond cut 17-inch alloy wheels
Practicality
Compact and feature-packed, the Clio is not the biggest hatchback out there, but the engineered have managed to correctly sculpt the interior to feel both roomy and comfortable. The part cloth/leather seats are just as comfortable as they look. Head and Leg room for the rear passenger is adequate, it can get a bit small for taller individuals above 190m of height.
Boot space is rated at 391L which can be extended up to 1069L with the rear seats folded down. That’s about 40L biggest than its direct rival the VW Polo, and even bigger than some of the computer act crossovers out there.
The Drive
At the heart of the French nugget is a 1L Turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 74kW and 160Nm of torque, currently exclusively mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The pair works well, whether it’s for in-town drives or long-distance highway drives. If there’s something that could make this pier train perfect, is the addition of a 6th gear
I was particularly not a fan of hearing the revs of the engine sit at 3700 rpm while cruising on the highway at around 120km/h
I reckon this can be easily solved with the addition of an extra gear (6th gear) to the manual transmission. This will definitely help improve fuel consumption and reduce engine noise.
The 3-pots engine can feel nippier when pushed hard, it even features a sport mode which allows you to rev it a little harder than usual. While the manufacturer claims fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km, I only managed an average of 6.4L/100km, which to be honest isn’t terrible.
Safety
One of the biggest selling points of the new Renault Clio V has to be its safety. With a 5-star NCAP rate score. The Clio V is rated one of the safest cars in its segment.
Additional safety features include ABS, ESP, and well as front and rear collision warning (available with the option pack )
6 airbags are fitted standard throughout the whole range, with additional passive safety features available in the option pack.
Verdict
The 5th generation Clio is an all-around great car, it ticks all the right boxes and offers a pretty solid alternative to what most people are used to. it combines style, efficiency, and practicality all in one place. If you’re in search of a unique driving experience and enjoy using a manual transmission on a daily basis, the Clio deserves a spot on your list. Additionally, if having additional ground clearance isn’t a priority for you, considering the Clio is a good idea.
Price & AfterSales
With 3 model variants available, the new Renault Clio V range comes priced as follows
Renault Clio V Life R309 900
Renault Clio V Zen R324 900
Renault Clio V Intens R349 999
An R15 000 option pack is also available for the Intens variant.
All prices include a 5 Year / 150 000km mechanical warranty, with 15 000km service intervals, as well as a 2 year /30 000km service plan
