2008 Renault Clio RS197 Review
October 20, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Renault Clio RS197 Review & Road Test
The epitome of three door fun
Model Tested:
- 2008 Renault Clio RS197 2.0-litre, six-speed manual hatch – $36,490 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $700
Playful Character, Grip Levels, Braking Performance
No Spare Wheel, Fuel Consumption, Price Tag
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
As hot hatches go, the Clio RS197 is best described as an entree serving of Thai Green Curry. It’s smaller, and still has a bit of kick to it, but it’s not so hot that you end up with blurred vision and the, err, sweats the next day.
That’s not to say the Clio RS197 isn’t any good, or that it isn’t hot enough, in fact given our archaic speed limits and sub-standard roads, this little hatch is in its element most of the time. What this translates to is a car that is playful and fun in most situations – and within the confines of the state limit – and just how many cars can you say that about these days?
Pumped out guards give the Clio RS197 an attitude all of its own without being overly lairy or ‘boy racer’. A rear diffuser harbouring twin exhausts and the fatter stance are, from a distance at least, the only tell tale signs that the little three-door means business.
Vented front guards, projector type halogen headlamps (with washers and manual height adjustment), subdued roof spoiler, side skirts, the addition of front fog lamps and neat 17-inch alloy wheels, coupled with some subtle badging, go the rest of the way to rounding out the external styling differences above that of a standard Clio (not yet available in Australia).
But looking the goods is only part of the equation with the Clio RS197. The true guts of the matter is that this little black beast has had some attention paid to the performance and handling attributes of what is already a terrifically balanced chassis.
For you and me, this simply means go-kart like chuckability that is guaranteed to bring a grin to just about any one up for a touch of – how should I put this delicately, rapid cornering – without jarring every bone in your body in the process.
Powered by a warm 2.0-litre, DOHC engine (with variable valve timing) the Clio RS197 develops a respectable 145kW at 7250rpm and an acceptable 215Nm at 5550rpm. It’s not a big score, but the Clio’s not a big car, and at just 1221kgs the motivation is fun, fluid and lithesome, provided you stay on cam (just north of 3250rpm).
Independent strut front-end and torsion beam semi-independent rear – both with stabiliser bars – hang over the 1520mm track and 2585mm wheelbase for a wide and long spread that makes cornering a hoot. Mountains of grip, a touch of lift-off oversteer and rapid turn in (thanks to sweet speed proportional power steering) make the Clio RS197 wickedly sharp through challenging roads and more agile than any same class competitor I’ve yet driven.
$36 GRAND????
wow.
As nice as it is, there are WAY better options at that price.
Renault RS225 is only a couple of grand more, rather than for size and performance.
wont even mention the Golf GTi, WRX etc.
$30K it would be justifiable…. but at 36K, hmm way too expensive for a tiny car. I like them too….
I agree, $29,990 is a price that would make this car sing as far as sales go. It’s still a few grand under the GTI and Suby, but those cars offer far more space and flexibility as far as a lifestyle choice .
Renault seem to make some good stuff but why are they always priced too expensive here in OZ?
A big fail on price.
You’d really have to like French.
Imagine trying to sell it after 12 months, you’d be lucky to get $20,000.
Nice car overall..but as said by everyone..
price is the killer..
I guess the only thing we can hope for is that like Mitsubishi’s Colt Ralliart, a price fall to a more reasonable level will occur in a few months – fingers crossed.
everyone is talking about price, but it is aimed at the Mini cooper S, and is a better car. So when you put it into that perspective, the price ain’t so bad after all!
If Honda are charging 40k for the Civic Type R the price seems alright.
I would still buy a XR5 or a GTi over it.
Matt, and on that ralliart, mitsubishi lists the price as $29,990, but i know for a fact one of my mates just got one for 21k, brand new.
It was listed as a ex-demo for some odd reason, but it was a brand new car, it had only done a handful of km’s.
They are such a good buy for that type of money
I’ve had a 182 for the last 4 years, bought it new and it has been great, went back to the same dealership on Sat to look at the 197. Gowes well, same formula, fun car and maybe a little more refined than the 182 (and better looking).
Sales guys seemed able to move a little, they ’strangely’ have a few in stock at the moment ;). What I did find out was how badly the trade in price would be on my 4 yo 182. As a genuine buyer with cash looking to buy a new car ASAP, I’d have to echo the comments made here. From the quotes i have I can get the new 2009 model WRX with nearly 200 Kw, AWD, 4 doors etc etc (but seriously ugly looking) for $2K more.
I reckon the subie would hold its value better when I’m trading in 3 years time so that’s where I’m leaning.
Seems a more likely competitor to the Golf GT rather than the GTi.
I think its more a polo gti competitor with more power, the GT isn’t really a sports car.
and 2ndeffort, the MY09 WRX’s are looking mighty fine if you ask me.
Yeah they are still fairly ugly. But get one in black, with the added power and stiffer suspension, they are a rocket, and i’m sure, a very good drive.
I prefer the hatch to the sedan, but subaru really need to sort those ugly tail lights out, it ruins a otherwise okish looking car.
Hi Tom, I’ve read a comparison on the net from the US where the MY09 WRX was up against the Lancer Ralliart and apparently pants’d it. If I can somehow sell my Clio 182 I’ll get in the queue for one.
As far as it looking ugly, I never thought the Clio 182 was particularly good looking and I’ve had one of them for 4 years. Once you are behind the wheel you cant see what it looks like fromt he outside anyway!!
The thing bothering me with the 197 is the resale. I’d buy the 197 but, despite what people say about a second hand 182 costing low $20’s, I have mine in mint condition with 12 months rego advertised for $17K and I’m hardly getting a sniff. The trade in value for it is less than the payout figure for my novated lease. If I buy a 197 I fear I’ll be reliving this changeover nightmare again in 3 years time! Nice car but once bitten twice shy!!
2ndeffort:
I think I might’ve read the same review.The Ralliart Lancer also got a thumbs down from the British Mag. Autocar.I personally dislike the look of the Lancer(brick on wheels look) :)
From the changes made to the 2009 WRX, it is definately worth a look.
The Clio RS is a very good car and great handling dynamics but it is difficult trying to run with all the turbo charged competition out there.
2ndeffort that really surprises me, thats the type of depreciation you see on falcons and commodores, not hot hatches.
I would love a used Polo GTi, but they seem to barely depreciate. Ditto pretty much every other little turbo hatch.
Tom, if you really want a Polo GTI, you have to stop using the Swift initials. VW is GTI, Swift is GTi. Haha, that’s something you have to know or the salespeople won’t sell you one :)
2ndeffort, it really sucks when you suffer such a massive depreciation. Unfortunately, it’s predictable when you buy any very low volume import which has no mainstream appeal, and even less when out of warranty. At least with VW you can extend the 3yr warranty to 5 years, which is a great comfort with something like the Polo GTI but more so with the Golf GTI with DSG.
Im not a massive fan of French cars, but these little Clios (182/197) always seem to make me smile. Sure it’s not quite a Golf GTI (is that the correct way Reckless1?), but that kinda makes me like it more. 2 of my mates have Golf GTI’s, and they are great cars, but I see them everywhere. I like the idea of having something just a little different. Evidently it affects resale, bummer.
Very well written article too. Loved the “as simple as herding cats” line.
Someone stated this is competing against the Mini Cooper S.
I am doubtful, I have seen many comparisons between the Golf GTI, RS225, WRX and Mini Cooper S.
This RS197 is smaller, and as someone also stated, more of a Colt Ralliart and VW Polo competition.
Try justifying 36 Grand on a tiny hatch when a more powerful, better spaced, better performing hatch is only a few grand away… also way easier to resell later on.
Should be 30K or around that.
buying one second hand in a year or two would be a better idea if its been looked after i think…you would save thousands!
i not live in autralia, but i like this car site( reviews are better then uk)
i live in south america any way, chile
here with have the mini copper s, i love it , but to much money,
and the peugeot 207 gti, i say this becase this site is the only one the put 4 wheels in the pug
i thinking buy one, but i not 3 things,
. the 5 gear( have to have 6 for long trips
the style is ok but not pretty
and the pug reputation in cars
i love see this one here, but is not comming
is beatiful, for me the best small gti ( i drove one in spain) i future classic i bet
the only down is maybe the consumition fuel
pd : sorry for my english
I think the Renault depreciation might be a sign of the times. When times are tough I guess that the enthusiast cars will probably be the 1st ones hit. The 197 is a great car and I accept that comparisons with bigger cars like Golf, XR5 etc are probably unfair. Renault themselves though do point out that this Clio is bigger and more refined than the earlier Clios, in fact at the dealership they had a 197 parked next to a Megane and it wasnt much smaller. It was definately bigger than my 182, you could almost fit adults in the back!!!
If the Clio is to be judged against the likes of the Polo and the Mini then I would take into consideration that the Mini, whilst more expensive to begin with, is probably going to hold its value a lot better in the long run. The Polo, at this stage would be a crazy buy brand new as a new model is just around the corner, same with the Golf.
If you are worried about the Polos not dropping in value, ring somebody up and make them a low ball offer, you never know they might be like me and willing to drop their price a fair bit.
Have any of you people saying it’s punching above it’s weight price-wise driven one? I have and it embarrases alot of cars around corners, and for sheer fun . Well worth the price- add a turbocharger, full leather, and limited slip diff I would be in one in a flash!
I have ordered a 197 with xenons and just waiting for it to arrive. I currently own a clio 172 and was looking for a replacement for a good few months. I drove the Civic Type R, Golf GTI, Megane 225, XR5 and the 197.
My short list was the GTI, XR5 and 197.
To me, the GTI was too boring in the looks department. Plus they’re everywhere! I didn’t like the tartan seats and adding leather and xenons (the only spec I would buy one in) pushes the price up $5k.
The XR5 was a great drive and the new design is nice. If the 197 hadn’t come out, I probably would have gone with the XR5. But just doesn’t feel as much fun as the 197.
I liked the 197 the best and went with it. The review is spot on in saying how fun it is within the legal limits.
The GTI and XR5 it felt like you had to be flying over the speed limit to enjoy them.
For me, I was looking for cars at the $40k mark and the clio had everything I wanted. Can’t wait to get it!
Well, I bought one and yes it is a bit expensive, but while I could have bought a WRX hatch, Civic Type R or Falcon XR6 for similar money, I decided I just didn’t want those cars, I wanted the Clio. And I’m very happy with it. Handles well, is comfortable and the brakes are fabulous.
Just a shame it’ll depreciate as quickly as the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA it replaced, but then again depreciation is pretty savage on most cars these days.
“Someone stated this is competing against the Mini Cooper S.” let alone a stronger heritage, people are more aware of which helps entice.
Having driven a Clio 172 for over 5 years and loved every minute of it I found the trade in value against the 197 pretty good ($14000).
As for price it’s cheaper to get into the 197 than a type R and Mini Cooper S.
Anyone who has driven a 197 will know that there are few cars around that make you smile when you push it hard, okay there are other cars some faster some slower but in terms of overal blend the Clio, in my opinion, gets it right.
And if things go wrong I want all the airbags and safety features I can get.
Depreciation is a fact of life so take my advice buy for the longer term and you won’t feel the squeeze so bad. If you trade in within 3 years you are usually in for a bit of a hit. Also talk to your accountant and try and get some of it back in your tax
The Clio helps here because you will not get bored driving it, the only other car that gave me so much fun was the Renault 5 GT Turbo (It’s still running). Don’t get me wrong I have driven Cosworths, GTi’s and WRX,s and found them great cars so I’m trying to be objective.
So take you choice I’ve got a 197 and am over the moon with it.
At the moment you can get a Golf GTI (which I believe is a much more classy and better car overall than the Clio which I also love) for under $39000 drive away, which is cheaper than the Renault’s drive away price so you have to be mental to pass the GTI.
Hey Renault, if you want to get good sales for the Clio sport in this country, it has to be around 10K cheaper than the GTI!