2018 Renault Clio Urban Nav TCe 90 5-Speed Manual Review

We had an opportunity to supply the 2018 Renault Clio a chance, and here is a synopsis of our experience with he.

What’s the 2018 Renault Clio Urban Nav about?

The 2018 Renault Clio is a tiny runaway success in its right. It had been initially introduced as an eco-supermini to the marketplace in the 90s, when efficiency was becoming increasingly a key factor. Personally, i quite love the Clio since it essentially represented the vestige of ridiculous French hot hatchbacks, like the Clio RS V6.

Fast forward a few decades to when the brand new Clio IV debuted, it showed a lot of promise, and the RS models thankfully stood the test of time. However, how big is the model only increased, as the 3-door variant was completely scrapped. So, you can not help but wonder if the 2018 Renault Clio, has abandoned its inexplicable French charisma with regard to practicality.

Renault is certainly good on the styling front. The brand new Clio actually received a face-lift in 2016 which further smartened up the already sharp-looking Clio IV. In addition, it noticeably adapted the low apron for today’s look. Though it is a 6-year old design, it still looks contemporary and sleek. Actually, some would go so far as to state that it’s among the best looking superminis out there, and I’m inclined to agree.

The Renault Clio is merely so well proportioned for a supermini. Skilful utilisation of rotund curves, rather than aggressive defined edges is scarcely seen nowadays. Another noteworthy demonstration of Renault’s design brilliance, reaches the rear of the automobile. While Renault has scrapped the 3-door variant, they’ve made the entranceway handles flush with the C-pillar, to emulate a streamlined coupe body-line without forfeiting practicality.

Another part of what plays a part in the 2018 Renault Clio’s handsome looks is, for me, the Urban Nav trim, which paints the Clio in this ‘Urban Grey’ gunmetal grey hue; such a fashionably attractive shade of the monochromatic spectrum that manufacturers scarcely use. Sitting on these complementary 16″ grey 5-petals clover spoke alloys, it sure is a snazzy looker.

What’s powering this specific Clio is a minuscule 0.9-litre TCe 90 turbocharged inline-3 with stop-start, a favorite configuration amongst contemporary superminis. It generates 90 horsepower while managing 135 Nm of torque. A comparably priced Fiesta with 0.1 litre more in displacement will in actuality return the same horsepower/displacement.

Mated compared to that tiny engine is a concise 5-speed manual transmission, that delivers the energy to leading wheels. This drive-train combo will move the 2018 Renault Clio Urban Nav along, from 0-62 mph in a leisurely 12.2 seconds, onto a high speed of 112 mph.

Naturally, this engine focuses more on the economy figures, instead of directly firepower. It’s rated at 60.1 mpg combined, while managing to muster 105 g/km of CO2.

There can be an eclectic selection of power plants to select from in the Clio, from a humble 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated inline-4 with 75 horsepower and 107 Nm of torque, to a very tasty 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-4, producing 220 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque. However, the TCe 90 found here, is available with a 5-speed manual. Additionally, there are diesel options that look like a compelling choice for individuals who frequently do thousand-mile journeys.

How does it drive?

As the engine output seems modest at best, it’s actually ideal for a Clio’s most probable use: grocery runs. The speed isn’t anything spectacular, but its surprisingly quick off the line. Weighing an impression over a tonne, paired with startling low-end torque means strong off-the-line performance.

Part of this low-end torque is thanks to Renault’s ultra low-inertia turbo that may whistle into action quickly. It’s a fairly lively car when seen roaming around town. Having said that, this is a small 3-cylinder, so you’ll need to plan your motorway merging cautiously. It’s not really a fast car; once you’re at an increased gear the engine begins to feel strained.

Another noteworthy quality of the TCe 90 engine is how refined it really is. It’s astonishingly quiet at low loads, and even though pushed, it maintains a decorous demeanour, smoothly revving up completely to the redline. For an inline-3, it’s definitely praiseworthy. Expectantly, it emanates a burbly 3-cylinder growl, which isn’t particularly enticing.

Another factor that helps the Clio move itself along frivolously from a standstill, may be the 5-speed manual transmission ratio. The first 3 gears are closely spaced, as the last 2 gears hush the engine appropriately. The apparatus lever is easy to utilize, and engages with little effort.

Everything else relating to this car feels perfectly fitted to daily use. The steering is quick, precise and on the light side. The clutch and brake pedals are easy to utilize, with reassuring feedback. It’s only a very straightforward car to operate a vehicle. Front visibility can be excellent with a minimal dash and small A-pillar, but rearward visibility could be challenging because of the sloping roof and large C-pillar.

When you approach a B-road, you needn’t fret as the Clio remains an able performer. The chassis feels quite taut with a well-controlled body.

Traction was also never a concern, but I’d imagine it’s likely to be tricky to perform the Clio out of talent. The brand new Clio IV is in fact closer to a concise, when it comes to dimensions rather than genuine supermini. Its more generous dimensions endowed it with an elevated track width and wheelbase, but simultaneously Renault were able to actually shed 100 kg off.

Which means that the 2018 Renault Clio is actually quite exciting, with an eager nose that enthusiastically dives into corners with a little bit of coaxing. There is noticeably more body roll compared to the Fiesta, but that extra suspension aids it in managing mid-corner upsets.

Also, because of that forgiving suspension, the Clio actually feels unexpectedly graceful around coarse roads. It could handily cope with repeated undulations and settles quickly after bumps. With the 5-speed transmission, the automobile could be running at 3,000 rpm on the motorways, however the engine will in actuality feel quite happy sitting there.

What is the inside like?

The Urban Nav trim actually derives from the Dynamique Nav, nonetheless it demands a £575 premium over the Dynamique Nav, that you have the 16″ alloys, LED front and rear headlamps with daytime running lights, rear parking sensors and the paint.

If you don’t choose to opt set for the premium, the inside will be identical. The typical you may expect is a dark carbon cloth upholstery for the seats. It’s quite comfortable and incredibly easy to enter and out of, if not particularly supportive and it includes the right driving position for manoeuvring through tight urban roads.

Strangely, Renault has restrained themselves from going wild in designing an inside. It’s actually quite barren and minimalistic, in comparison to other superminis nowadays. All you need are available on the glossy black trim centre console.

Shrewd using even hard plastics, actually provides 2018 Renault Clio’s interior an upmarket look. I also find the matte finished chrome surround a nice touch. The centre 7″ MediaNav touchscreen infotainment system is fairly intuitive with a colourful UI, and it can have satnav built-in.

Regarding fit and finish, Renault can still learn something or two from Volkswagen and Ford, but it’s never unpleasant. The cabin generally feels tight, however the material quality is actually a little better.

Admittedly, the upsurge in proportions generally helped the Clio. Front passenger room is fairly agreeable, with good headroom and legroom for adults. Rear passenger space is really as expected from a supermini though; you can simply stuff 3 adults back there but it’ll be quite intimate.

You can finally start the boot to find 300-litres worth of storage room including space below the false floor. Folding down the trunk seats brings that up to respectable 1,146-litres of cargo room.

The knowledge

Overall, the Clio was an extremely likeable car. It’s just such a carefree, light-hearted little guy. I really like how it looks, and Renault gets the dynamics for a city runaround nailed. In addition, it includes the odd Renault keycard feature. It may be argued that only the minimum requirements were met, nonetheless it still has all of the amenities and modern safety equipment you’ll need while feeling refreshingly simple. That trade-off sheds weight which introduces a nimble, agile chassis that darts around quickly.

Verdict

The 2018 Renault Clio Urban Nav using its TCe 90 engine is an extremely visceral embodiment of the word ‘supermini’, I reckon. It has a chic styling, and it’s a jaunty car to operate a vehicle. It’ll be inexpensive to run and it’s just ideal for urban navigation. You’ll be surprised that it’s a Renault from how refined it actually feels, that makes it appealing as a daily driver. For individuals who plan to clock over a large number of miles monthly, the diesel variant can make more sense, and it’ll be less rowdy on motorways.

That said, some individuals might choose the Ford Fiesta over the Renault Clio, which is eminently its main rival. The Fiesta is something via decades of refinement in the end. However, I really do genuinely choose the 2018 Renault Clio, perhaps due to just how endearing it really is.

It includes a pretty decent kit, just like the MediaNav 7″ touchscreen infotainment system, stop-start engine, and the Renault hands-free keycard with the 16″ wheels. It’s also the main one I’ll be personally picking for daily use.