A CLASSIER CLIO (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 79

The fourth generation Clio supermini returned Renault to volume credibility in the supermini sector, offering more of the kind of effervescent personality that once made this model line one of Europe's favourites. Tougher segment competition though, led to the need for further improvements in 2016, principally a significant package of updates which delivered a smarter look and feel and kept this Clio feeling current. So does this revised MK4 model make sense as a used buy? Let's find out.

Modelsword count: 19

5dr supermini (0.9, 1.2 petrol / 1.5 dCi diesel) [Expression, Play, Urban, Dynamique, Dynamique TomTom, Signature Nav, Renaultsport 200])

Historyword count: 152

The Renault Clio has quite a legacy behind it and its success has been fundamental in keeping Renault afloat in recent times. The last couple of decades have been characterised by a lack of investment in the brand's key models in pursuit of an electrically-powered motoring future the market still hasn't been quite ready for. So Renault needed to get its core cars right, hence the effort put into creating the fourth generation Clio, originally launched in 2012. It was, we were told by stylist Laurens van den Acker, the car that would 'make people fall in love with Renault again' and sure enough, it proved a major step forward from its bland, unappealing predecessor. But by 2016, time had moved on, hence the need for the revised MK4 model we're going to look at as a used buy here. It sold until mid-2019, when the all0new MK5 Clio model was launched.

What You Getword count: 322

Renault always liked to see this fourth generation Clio as a standard-bearer for its switch to more imaginative design. In its original form, this MK4 model's long, wide, low look just worked - but it needed a bit of refreshment for this post-2016 facelifted version. Hence the revised front end, which features a grille that's was redesigned to make its prominent Renault badge even more well, prominent. From here, colour-customisable trim strips flow out into re-styled headlamps that on plusher models incorporate smart 'C-shaped' LED daytime running light strips, while the main beams feature 'Pure Vision' full-LED technology. And at the wheel? Well back in 2016, we were told it was supposed to be 'modern, welcoming and occupant-friendly'. Well it's certainly modern, with shiny, jazzy cabin finishes that grab your attention and refuse to let it go, especially if you're in a car that's benefitted from (or been afflicted by) the wide array of trim personalisation that's was originally possible. If you happen to be familiar with the original version of this fourth generation model, you might well notice the improvement in cabin quality brought about by a package of little touches - like smarter seat fabric, a redesigned gear lever and the matt finish that was applied to the interior chrome detailing. Equally eye-catching is the consumer electronic-fest that dominates the gloss black-trimmed centre console of all but base models, in the form of a tablet-like 7-inch colour infotainment touchscreen display. This comes in two forms - the 'MediaNav' package you get on mid-range variants and the more sophisticated optional 'R-Link' set-up fitted further up the range. In the rear, the bench can take three but, as with all superminis, the trio in question need to be of school age if distances are to be covered in any sort of real comfort. Out back, there's a 300-litre boot that's about 15-20-litres bigger than the trunk space delivered by most obvious rivals.

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