2023 Renault Clio: Prices, specs and release date
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
- New Renault Clio facelifted for 2023
- First outing for brand’s new design language
- Engine line-up now fully hybrid, using Renault E-Tech Full Hybrid technology
- On sale now with prices starting from £21,295
The new Renault Clio is a refreshed take on France’s favourite car, aiming to bring new excitement to the supermini sector as key rivals such as the Ford Fiesta depart it. Renault has sold 16 million Clio since its launch in 1990, 1.1 million of which are in the UK, and the firm wants to maintain momentum with the facelifted model.
The new Renault Clio even boasts a fully updated trim line-up - including the launch of a sporty range-topping Esprit Alpine variant. This aims to capitalise on the allure of the premium Alpine brand, which both sells the highly-acclaimed Alpine A110 sports car and competes in F1 racing.
The new Renault Clio will be a compelling competitor to supermini best-sellers such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Honda Jazz, amongst others. But it won’t be going head-to-head with the Ford Fiesta - because production will have ceased by the time the new 2023 Renault Clio hits its stride.
2023 Renault Clio prices and release date
New Renault Clio prices start from £21,295. This is for the entry-level Evolution variant. The new Renault Clio is also available in mid-range Techno, with prices from £22,695, and top-spec Esprit Alpine, with prices from £24,095.
New Renault Clio prices start from a higher price point than the outgoing car. This is because the revised 2023 Renault Clio range is only sold as an E-Tech 145 Full Hybrid, with standard automatic gearbox. Previously, the range opened with the non-hybrid TCe 90 petrol, but this version has been withdrawn.
Ordering for the new Renault Clio is now open. It is expected to be released into showrooms later this year, with first deliveries beginning in the autumn.
2023 Renault Clio styling, interior and technology
The new Renault Clio has a much bolder and more dynamic front-end appearance. It is tauter, with sharper sculpting, and boasts an enlarged grille. This carries the firm’s new diamond logo, called Nouvel’R, which also features at the rear and inside the new Renault Clio.
The new Renault Clio is the French firm’s first car to use its ‘new wave’ signature LED lighting at the front. There are vertical LED running lights on each side, which form one half of an upright rhombus, mimicking the Renault logo. All models have slimline full LED headlights, which automatically switch between up to five beam patterns.
Sporty new Renault Clio Techno and Esprit Alpine trims also have an F1-style aerofoil at the front. This distinctive feature is body-colour in Techno grade, and matt shadow grey on the Esprit Alpine.
New Renault Clio Esprit Alpine models feature aerodynamic scoops on the front bumper, gloss black badging and a specific Esprit Alpine badge on the front wings. They also have a special hot-stamped grille which transitions from dark at the centre to glossy chrome at the edges.
The new Renault Clio has an eye-catching aero-tuned rear bumper, which makes the back end look wider and more planted. In regular trims, the lower edge is matt black. It is gloss black on Techno models and matt shadow grey on Esprit Alpine. There are clear rear light covers too, with bright outer edges to mirror the front light pattern.
The new Renault Clio is available in seven different body colours, including Iron Blue and Valencia Orange. Wheels up to 17-inches in diameter are available, all with the new Renault logo in brushed aluminium at the centre. Techno models have 17-inch diamond-cut black alloy wheels.
Size-wize, the new Renault Clio boasts almost identical dimensions to today’s car. It is 4053mm long, 1988mm wide (including the door mirrors) and 1439mm high.
The new Renault Clio has a refreshed interior - and a noteworthy detail is the fact it contains no leather. Instead, surfaces are covered in TEP, which is a grained fabric made from bio-sourced and polyester fibres. It uses less water and energy to produce.
Continuing the eco message, the new Renault Clio Techno uses another type of bio material called Tencel. It is the first car in the world to use this new material, which is made from renewable resources and has been certified with the EU Ecolabel.
The new Renault Clio has an ‘edgeless’ digital driver’s display of between 7 to 10 inches, depending on trim. UK cars all come with the Renault Easylink multimedia system, with built-in sat nav and both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. New tech for the 2023 Renault Clio includes the option of a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control.
The new Renault Clio Esprit Alpine gets a specific interior that’s sportier and more premium. The seat bolsters are more hip-hugging, and have an Alpine logo stitched into the backrest (they are heated too). There’s also a red, white and blue flag on the sides of the seats - and another one embroidered on the dashboard.
Other new Renault Clio Esprit Alpine details include red, white and blue stitching for the heated steering wheel, a gloss black background for its central Renault logo, blue edges for the seatbelts, aluminium pedals and specific front door sills. There’s a bespoke Alpine sequence when the central touchscreen wakes up, too.
The five-door new Renault Clio offers the same space and practicality as today’s car (and its ‘hidden’ rear doorhandles), while boot space of over 300 litres ranks among the largest in the supermini sector.
2023 Renault Clio engines, performance and fuel economy
The new Renault Clio will, in the UK, be exclusively offered with a E-Tech full hybrid engine. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is paired with an ingenious automatic transmission and electric motor. The transmission has four gears and the main electric motor has two. The powertrain can combine in a total of 14 different ways to optimise energy efficiency. Renault boasts the clever system carries more than 150 patents.
The new Renault Clio is almost always powered by the electric motor when it starts. In cities, Renault says the electric motor is used up to 80% of the time. This helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% comprare to a normal petrol engine. It also helps deliver ultra-refined electric car silence.
The new Renault Clio will average around 65mpg on the official WLTP cycle. CO2 emissions could be as low as 93g/km and every version in the range will boast sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. Renault adds the full hybrid tech is convenient too, as owners won’t have to stop to charge the battery.
A generous system power output of 145PS delivers 0-62mph acceleration in 9.9 seconds. This is easily achieved thanks to the new Renault Clio’s standard automatic transmission, ensuring it is easy and straightforward to drive. An eco driving assistant is standard, advising drivers on how to save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions.
New Cars Coming Soon
Before you step into a showroom, read our in-depth guide to all the new cars coming in the next 12 months and beyond – some are well worth the wait.
How far will the new Renault Clio travel in EV mode?
The new Renault Clio has the largest battery capacity in the hybrid supermini segment, at 1.2kWh. This means it can maximise how far it travels in EV mode before the engine starts up.
How many new Renault Clio models are there?
The new Renault Clio will only be offered with one powertrain, the 145PS 1.6-litre E-Tech Full Hybrid auto. There will be four trim options, including Techno and new Esprit Alpine, and Renault may offer a Launch Edition variant too.
How safe is the new Renault Clio?
The Renault Clio received a five-star Euro NCAP safety score in 2019. While the test is now tougher, Renault’s inclusion of extra safety assist features such as adaptive cruise control should help it still perform well if it is subsequently retested in 2023.
How far can the Renault Clio hybrid travel on electric power?
