Renault Clio

Overall, although Clio is competitively priced, it is one of the vehicles that has a spacious storage for a hatchback. I feel that Clio is also very comfortable and safety to drive with.

Clio is one of the most sporty and beautiful hatchback I've test-driven. Renault has put alot of thought into the exterior & interior styling of Clio. Comfort is no issue as the hatchback is almost 4m in width.

However, reliability is one issue as many people seem to be encountering many issues with the car dealer for Renault cars. I would be hesitant to recommend this car to my friends, as aftersales service will be a big problem. Not to mention the cost of the spare parts.

Totally agreed with what genes has said in his review. The Clio looks pretty, fully equipped, safety one of the best in the market, and with an attractive price tag on it, who wouldn't want to buy it?

Incidentally, genes, I heard from the car agent that this batch of clio is fully sold out. When did you purchase it?

Just one test drive and booked it the same day. Over a period of 3 months, have tried many many cars, but none impressed as much as the Clio. Cars that i tested include Mini Cooper, Fiat 500, Fiat Punto, Peugeot 207, Peugeot 107, Peugeot 1007, Skoda Roomster, Mitsubishi i, Honda Civic Hybrid, Citroen C4, Nissan Qashqai, Suzuki Swift Sport (M). Price notwithstanding, the Clio is able to hold its head up high. Here's why.

- Astonishingly high equipment level

Where else can you get so much equipment for so little money? Cruise control, speed limiter, auto headlights, rain sensors, 6 airbags with 5-stars euroncap, 4-speed auto with paddle shift, leather seats, alloy rims all came standard. Mine has bodykit and racing stickers added.

- Spacious interior for a car measuring less than 4m

It's really roomy inside. Roomier than a Peugeot 207, comparable to a Citroen C4.

- Quiet. Comfortable. Great handling. Fine body control.

The car is really quiet and comfortable, rivaling a Citroen C4. The japanese cars i tested were rubbish, especially the Mitsubishi i which bounced here and there. There is a teutonic feel to the whole car and a sense of real quality that is lacking in all other cars except Mini Cooper and Fiat 500. It corners flatly like a sporty hatchback. If only it can accelerate as well as a Swift Sport (the thing i dislike abt Swift Sport is its high-gearing, makes expressway cruising a tiring affair).

- Other notes

The Clio may not have the strongest engines, but the 151Nm of torque sees to it effortless overtaking. It's more sprightly than a C4 (it's actual rival is a C3 though, but i've never tested it before) but less enthusiastic than a Peugeot 207 1.4 Vive. I think it should be better than a Peugeot 207 1.6. The only thing that i have to worry may be reliability. But Renault has improved a lot, and should be given a chance because their cars are really good and desirable.

I'll post a 2nd review if i get my COE and get to know the car better. But these are my first impressions. And i'm impressed by this little Clio.