The sweet spot: 2018 Renault Clio

What is it?

Renault’s answer to the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta, a compact hatchback that brings a touch of French style to the city car set.

How many models can I choose from?

Renault offers a range of Clio models that cater to a wide selection of buyers.

The entry-level Clio Life brings a decent suite of features including smart keys, a 7-inch touchscreen with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 16-inch alloys and a leather steering wheel for $17,990 drive-away in manual form or for $19,990 with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A mid-range Clio Zen gains Renault’s trademark C-shaped LED daytime running lights along with an improved stereo with sat nav, two-tone alloy wheels and more.

Buyers keen on a fully-loaded model can choose the fashion-conscious Intens, which brings self-parking, climate control, a premium stereo and 17-inch wheels along with velvet and leatherette interior trim, a driver’s arm rest and more. A GT-Line model brings much of the same features in a sporty package that includes a body kit, sports seats and aluminium pedals.

2017 Renault Clio — Inside the new Clio hatch. Photo: Supplied

Most models feature a turbocharged 1.2-litre engine that sends 88kW/190Nm to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the entry-level Clio Life has a 0.9-litre three-cylinder motor with 66kW/135Nm outputs in manual form.

Performance enthusiasts can go for the Clio R.S, which brings a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that makes 147kW and 240Nm while offering a choice of road-biased “Sport” or track-ready “Cup” suspension and a race-inspired cabin.

How much do they cost?

Clio Life (manual) - $15,990

Clio Life (EDC) - $17,990

Clio Zen - $19,990

Clio Intens - $22,990

Clio GT-Line - $22,990

Clio R.S. Sport - $30,990

Clio R.S. Cup - $32,490

Any options that I need to know about?

Metallic paint costs $550 and front parking sensors are available as a dealer-fit option for $424. Customers who want to go further can splash out with an optional sunroof or, coloured interior trim to lift the cabin’s ambiance.

Is it expensive to own?

Renault backs the Clio with an excellent five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped price servicing program.

Maintenance for the model is due every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres (20,000 kilometres for RS models) and you can budget on spending $897 for the first three years.

Which is the most economical model?

That has to be the entry-level Clio Life in three-cylinder manual form, which uses just 4.8L/100km of petrol.

Which is the safest model?

Renault’s city car has a five-star ANCAP rating across the board, but the car hasn’t been tested since 2013. The Clio misses out on some important safety features such as rear side airbags and autonomous emergency braking that are available in some rivals – safety isn’t its strongest point.

Which is the best model to drive?

That would be the Clio R.S. Cup, one of the most engaging hot hatches in its class. The little Clio brings a dash of F1 tech to the road with its turbocharged engine, paddle-shift gearbox and agile chassis that make it the driver’s pick.

Should I buy one now?

Yep. Renault has just updated the Clio – it won’t be replaced for a little while, and there are drive-away deals to be done as part of the model’s introduction to market.

Where’s the sweet spot?

While every car in the line-up has plenty going for it, the mid-range Clio Zen strikes a balance between price, features and flair. It’s a great place to start.

- with Ivy Sweeney