Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens (2022) Review

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Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens (2022) Review

The most recent December break yielded a fleet of holiday vehicles which manufacturers made available to the AutoTrader content team, one of which was the fifth-generation Renault Clio in Intens specification.

Throughout its three decades in the global automotive market, Renault has sold over 15 million Clio models, meaning that the French automaker has certainly found a recipe for success with its Supermini. Locally, the second, third and fourth generations of the Clio were a resounding sales success for the brand, however, the latest fifth generation has failed to take off in South Africa. We received an Intens variant to use throughout the recent December period, and it was this writer’s first experience of the latest Clio generation.

Styling

The latest Clio’s design is best described as an evolution of its predecessor, with a similar silhouette as before, but with the brand’s signature C-shaped daytime running lights up front and larger rear taillights being the most telling visual changes. The similarities make sense when we consider that the car rides on the CMF-B platform, which is essentially a revised version of the Clio III and IV’s B platform.

renault clio 1.0 turbo intens (2022) review

Interior and space

The interior of the Clio is certainly an upgrade over the car it replaces, with better-perceived material quality, a more minimalist aesthetic and an increased emphasis on connectivity, as is to be expected. In terms of infotainment, there is a digitised instrument cluster and a 9.3-inch Easy Link colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The system functions reasonably well and its resolution is respectable for a vehicle in the segment, however, its large screen sets it apart from other, smaller systems with which it competes.

Other standard features include cruise control, a reverse camera, front and rear PDC, 17-inch alloy wheels, a multifunction steering wheel, climate control, wireless charging, keyless entry, lane departure warning, front and rear electric windows, cloth seats, LED headlights and fog lamps, ambient lighting and 6 airbags. Our experience with the car’s climate control system proved frustrating as it appeared to blow cold air intermittently, meaning an often unpleasant cabin temperature on sweltering South African summer days.

When looking at practicality, the Clio impresses, with a 391-litre boot that expands to 1 069-litres with the rear seats folded flat while the general occupant space was rated as ‘good’ based on the feedback from various passengers that experienced the car during the festive season.

Performance and driving impression

Powering the Clio is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 74kW and 160Nm. The motor is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. Its kerb weight is just 983kg, making it similar to the previous generation, but with 8 extra kW and 25 more Nm of torque, the latest Clio feels more sprightly than the car it replaces. The claimed 0-100km/h time is 11.8 seconds, however, we found the powertrain in combination with the 5-speed manual gearbox to be an agreeable companion, but find it bizarre that there is no automatic gearbox option in the range, despite the rapid increase in popularity of self-shifting ‘boxes in recent years.

In terms of ride and handling, the refinement and general ride quality are more than acceptable for a vehicle of this type, with the light thrum of the 3-pot making its way into the cabin, but never feeling intrusive. In true Clio fashion, the handling and steering feel and feedback are highlights, making this a fun car to drive, regardless of the speed being travelled. There are various driving modes controlled via a button housed below the infotainment screen and these include MultiSense, Eco and Sport, with the latter yielding better throttle response and therefore a more pleasant driving experience.

Safety

The Clio range was crash-tested in 2019 by Euro NCAP and achieved a 5-Star rating with 96% for adult occupant safety, 89% for child occupant safety, 72% for pedestrian safety and 75% for its safety assistance systems.

Fuel consumption

Renault claims that the Clio will consume petrol at a rate of 5.7 L/100km, however, our month-long test resulted in a figure of 7.3 L/100km, which we consider respectable considering our mixed driving cycle.

Pricing

The Clio in Intens guise was priced at R364 999 at the time of writing, making it incredibly similar to comparable products such as the Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio. The Clio comes with a 5-year/150 000km warranty and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan.

Verdict

Having spent an extended period in the latest generation Clio, we feel that despite its efficiency, solid dynamics and improved interior, the latest Clio is not as much of an upgrade over its predecessor as we would have hoped for. The test unit’s irksome climate control system and the fact that there is only a 5-speed manual gearbox within the local line-up have us convinced that the Clio will struggle to secure large sales numbers within the local market.

Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews