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RenaultClio (2012-2019)

Small
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£3,640Typical price

Test score

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Renault believes its fourth-generation Clio small car embodies all the passion and simplicity of the original. With voluptuous styling, this hatchback, launched in 2012, certainly looks the part, and should prove cheap to run. But should you choose one over a Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo? Read on for our full Renault Clio review.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Renault Clio (2012 to 2019)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Mar 2019First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2013Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small and sports cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 5-9 years

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Car reliability 10-15 years

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Full hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Small
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£3,640 - £8,944
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	42.2 to 54.3mpg
Length	4,063 to 4,090mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,732mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	1,955 to 1,965mm
Height	1,434 to 1,448mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.25 m
On sale date	01 January 2013
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11.21

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	Energy Tce 90 Limited 2017
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	0.9-litre (90hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	12.29p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	133
Official fuel economy: NEDC	60.1
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	575kg
Engine test date	29 June 2018
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine and trim name	Energy Tce 120 Intens
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.2-litre (118hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.94p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	137
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	580kg
Engine test date	17 January 2018
Car test programme	2017

Engine three
Engine and trim name	1.2 16V 75 Dynamique
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.1-litre (74hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	13.15p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	138
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	525kg
Engine test date	08 April 2015
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine four
Engine and trim name	1.6 Turbo R.S EDC
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (200hp)
Transmission	6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.44p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	151
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Engine test date	24 June 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine five
Engine and trim name	0.9 TCE 90 Dynamique
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	0.9-litre (90hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11.21p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£49
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	120
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	540kg
Engine test date	15 February 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

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RenaultClio (2012-2019)

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Model reliability 5-9 years

Car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

Volkswagen

Seat

Ford

Related articles

RenaultClio (2012-2019)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

Volkswagen

Seat

Ford

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