- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
72kW, 127Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Expression session
No secrets about it: Renault's Clio Expression is one of Drive's favourite small cars. It's well equipped, soaks up Aussie bumps with aplomb and delivers style aplenty.
Pigeonhole: The Clio measures up pretty well in the competitive $20,000 price range, and puts a bit of fun into driving.
Philosophy: Practical five-door that does it with style for those who want more than just transport.
Who's buying it: Not only Francophiles. You don't have to be eccentric, just perceptive.
Why you'd buy it: Above-average ride and handling, pleasant to drive, good performance and upmarket-looking, practical and well-designed interior.
Why you wouldn't: Body looks are a bit quirky, back seat isn't as roomy as some.
Standard equipment: Impressive, with air-conditioning, electrically operated front windows, power steering with height-adjustable steering wheel, remote central locking and speed-sensitive wipers.
Safety: Better than most with four airbags standard and pretensioner front seat belts.
Cabin: Roomy and comfortable in the front, tight and uncomfortable in the back, with roof rails on which it is easy to bang an unsuspecting head. Otherwise, it's a nice design with good oddments space.
Seating: Good, comfortable, adjustable and grippy in the front, flat seat and cramped leg room in the back.
Engine: Punchy 1.4 litre with 72 kilowatts. It's not the quietest around, but it gives the Clio plenty of zing.
Transmission: Five-speed manual with a nice shift. Four-speed auto a pricey $2200 option.
Steering: Electrically assisted rack and pinion, pin-sharp.
Ride: More supple than most, and it's easily capable of soaking up Australian-style bumps.
Handling: Sets it apart. Sporty without being stiff and skittish.
Fuel: Economical with laboratory figures of 7.6 litres/100 kilometres for the city driving cycle and 6.2 for the country. The expensive premium unleaded petrol is recommended, however.
Brakes: Discs at the front and drums at the back but, unusually for a car in this class, they have anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution as standard equipment.
Build: Pretty good. At last the Europeans are realising that the international standard set by the Japanese needs to be met.
Warranty: Three years/100,000 kilometres.
Security: Remote control central locking which automatically locks when the car is in motion, and engine immobiliser.
Audio: Pretty good six-speaker system with steering wheel controls. A Verve pack available now adds a CD player to the sound system -- previously it was only on the more expensive models.
Verdict: One of our favourite small cars. Others might be cheaper and have more interior space, but this lifts the bar with its equipment and high-class ride and handling.
Cost: $19,990 plus on-road costs. This doesn't make it the cheapest baby on the block, but it has very high levels of standard equipment which make it more attractive.
Prices correct at publication date.