ROAD TEST: Renault Clio Dynamique
Mais je rêve! Can you believe the about-turn that Renault's humble Clio has made in its fourth generation?
Its direct predecessor - particularly after the facelift - was so dull that it actually made Japanese cars look exciting. Sort of.
But this new Clio is just downright gorgeous. Al right, maybe it's wrong to state my subjective opinion as fact here, but during my week with this new Renault I couldn't find anyone that disagreed.
Its lines portray a kind of aggressive curvaceousness that Alfa Romeos were once known for and the Dynamique model, featured here, actually looks like the proper hot hatch that it isn't. It even has a turbo badge on the tailgate.
That blower certainly comes in handy as this Renault's 898cc engine displacement seems completely at odds with what the styling promises.
DOWNSIZED
Like Ford's new Fiesta 1.0T Ecoboost, this Renault engine takes downsizing to the extreme but with 66kW on command at 5250rpm and 135Nm at 2500rpm, it's nowhere near as gutsy as the Ford.
We'll forgive it for that because the 0.9-litre Clio is significantly more affordable - commanding R174 900 for the Expression model and R184 900 for the Dynamique.
It is slightly less powerful than the average normally aspirated 1.4-litre hatch that it competes with, but remember that the turbo gives it virtual immunity from high altitude. This is why it managed a respectable (for its class) 14.0-second 0-100km/h run on our test strip near Pretoria.
Around town there is adequate fizz - it's not feisty in any way but it's hardly slow either and will keep up with the traffic rather easily.
It's a different story on the open road, however. On a straight stretch it'll cruise quite comfortably - hovering around the 3000rpm mark at 120km/h - but you will need to rev the guts out of it (and gear down to third) when overtaking and even then it's hardly effortless. Same goes for steep hills.
IT’S A SIPPER
The fuel economy readout will make you smile though. On a 600km round trip (averaging 120-130km/h) it sipped just 5.4 litres per 100km and resetting it for the daily stop-start grind through traffic resulted in a 7.2 l/100km average.
Another feather in its cap is the compliant ride quality - even on the dirt road detour that a huge accident forced us onto. In that situation, the satnav system kept us from exploring the countryside too extensively.
The sad fact is that I have to express surprise that a satnav system is standard on this car (and the more affordable Expression model). Most compact hatchbacks don't even offer it as an option and when they do it's at a silly price. It's not that it's an expensive feature to fit - just look at the price of a stand-alone Garmin or TomTom.
The Renault's system is integrated into a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment hub which also houses a rather effective Bass Reflex sound system and Bluetooth phone functionality. Technophobes needn't fret either as the infotainment system is logically configured and doesn't take long to figure out.
What's more, the 'hot hatch' design theme of the exterior has been nicely translated into the cabin, which looks both racy and classy.
On the flipside, rear legroom is not great for a car of this size, although I wouldn't go as far as calling it cramped. What's more, its 300-litre boot can swallow a fair amount of luggage.
The Dynamique Clio is well appointed and over and above what you get in the Expression, the range-topper adds keyless entry and start, automatic headlights and wipers and rear electric windows. It's also a whole lot flashier, trading the 16-inch alloys for a striking two-tone 17-inch design and adding glossy black and chrome embellishments to the cabin and exterior.
VERDICT
The Clio 0.9T might be a tad underpowered, but then its rivals are hardly speed machines. It's also well-priced in relation to the competition. Throw in the allure of its charismatic design, generous standard appointments and the engine's austere petrol appetite and it's a real winner.
Granted, the potential longevity of Renault's small-capacity engine might be a concern to some, and it's too early to tell how reliable it'll be in the long run but the Clio is at least backed up by a three-year/45 000km service plan and five-year/150 000km warranty.
Yet if you're purely buying with your head, the most sensible car in this bracket is still the well-priced Toyota Yaris 1.3.
I'd be inclined to take my chances with the seductive Clio, but that's just me. Now if only they'd hurry up and introduce the 88kW 1.2-litre turbo version that's offered overseas.
PRICE
Renault Clio Dynamique (66kW) - R184 900
ALTERNATIVES
Chevrolet Sonic 1.4 LS (74kW) - R176 900
Citroen C3 VTi Seduction (60kW) - R177 900
Ford Fiesta 1.4 Trend (71kW) - R193 800
Hyundai i20 1.4 Glide (73kW) - R189 900
Kia Rio hatch 1.4 Tec (79kW) - R190 995
Peugeot 208 1.2 Active (60kW) - R177 200
Toyota Yaris 1.3 XS (73kW) - R169 900
VW Polo 1.4 Comfortline (63kW) - R190 100