Market-based in terms of price, but also in terms of equipment?
Renault recently provided the Clio with the new family face of the brand with a facelift, making the Clio completely up to date again. In Back to Basics we find out what you get if you opt for a Clio that doesn’t cost a cent more than the starting price.
Renault Clio Evolution, €22,950
The starting price of the new Renault Clio is in line with the market. At €22,950, it is almost as expensive as competitor Opel Corsa, which is in the price lists with a price from €23,349 and was recently featured in Back to Basics. Both models received a clearly different look in their recent facelifts, which is characterized by a new shape for the LED daytime running lights and for the Clio – just like for the Corsa – the LED daytime running lights are part of the standard equipment. Whichever version you choose; the new LED signature, which you will see on more new Renaults, is always present.
In other respects, the new Renault Clio in the basic version, called Evolution, does of course differ from more expensive versions. The entry-level car is the only one without privacy glass, no chrome strip over the bottom of the doors and a blade as an antenna. The more complete Techno and Esprit Alpine versions (starting prices €24,950 and €27,250 respectively) also have different wheels: the Techno has the same size wheels as the entry-level (16-inch), but has models with a diamond cutfinish, the Esprit Alpine does it with a size more.
The only surcharge-free body finish for the Renault Clio is a white unicoat. Metallic is possible, with shades of gray costing €600 extra and other colors – such as red and orange – €800 extra. Pretty neat, because nowadays you often see that a special metallic paint cannot be combined with a basic version, but with Renault this is possible and at a relatively modest price.
A predominantly black interior with room for the necessary contrasting accents.
Neat upholstery
Inside an entry-level Clio, ‘keeping your fingers crossed’ is not severely punished. This way you take a seat on seats (height adjustable on the driver’s side), which are ‘normally’ covered with fabric, but have three different types of fabric on them. That looks high-quality. Nor is the Clio interior a sea of ​​black. A quasi-chrome edge here and there may be used and in the middle there is – just like in more expensive versions – a touchscreen. The screens do reveal that you are in an Evolution version: they are larger in more expensive versions. Yes, plural, because not only the one in the middle of the dashboard, but also the digital instruments in the entry-level car are smaller (7-inch).
In terms of functionalities, the screens are also more limited. The infotainment screen provides access to the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and does have a digital radio, but no navigation function. Sound is sent into the interior via six speakers, and this also applies to the beeps of the parking sensors, because they are located – at least at the back – simply.
Furthermore, four electrically operated side windows, manual air conditioning, non-adaptive cruise control and heated and electrically folding side mirrors make life with the basic Clio easier. That’s where it ends, because beyond that fairly complete set basics There is not much more to it than that. Unless you look at the nowadays ubiquitous list of safety systems, which includes lane keep assist, a safe following distance monitor, an emergency braking system and traffic sign recognition.
This 16-inch alloy is standard.
What do you buy with the more expensive versions?
What do you get with the Techno-called second equipment level, which costs €2,000 more? Slightly differently arranged LED headlights and taillights (the entry-level always has LED front and rear), ambient lighting, an automatically dimming interior mirror, climate control, keyless entry, an induction charger for your phone, a reversing camera and a center armrest. For example, for adaptive cruise control or differently designed front and rear bumpers, you should go for the Esprit Alpine version, which is listed for €27,250.
All three equipment levels can be ordered in combination with the simplest powertrain: a 90 hp three-cylinder turbo engine that is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, good for a 0-100 sprint in 12.2 seconds. Would you rather not switch gears yourself? Then you have to rely on the only other available powertrain: the 145 hp hybrid (0 to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds). It is also available with all three trim levels, with the least expensive costing €25,280.
The rear lights are also standard LED, which is not a given in the B-segment.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl