Renault Clio

On March 2nd will be announced which car may call itself the Car of the Year 2020. In this mini series I count down to that moment, by discussing one of the seven nominees every day. I try to estimate the odds of every contender and put the model and brand in a historical perspective. With three days left, today it's the turn of the Renault Clio.

Front view of the Renault Clio

Renault and the Car of the Year election
Renault has achieved three third places in the Auto of the Year election: in 1969 with the 12, in 1976 with the 30 and in 1993 with the Safrane. The 15 and 17 did one step better in 1971, as did the 5 in 1972, the 25 in 1985 and the Laguna in 2002. The highest step of the victory platform was in 1965 for the 16, in 1982 for the 9, in 1991 for the Clio, in 1997 for the Mégane Scénic, in 2003 for the Mégane and in 2006 for the Clio. At the moment, Renault has won one more victory than Ford and Peugeot. Would Renault increase its lead this year, or will they be sharing their second place with Ford or Peugeot?

The pedigree of the Clio
The name Clio has been around for a while. The latest model clearly builds on its predecessor from 2012 – facelift, in Renault terminology 'Phase 2' (2016) – certainly in terms of exterior design. In contrast to that model, the new Clio is no longer available as an Estate (station wagon), as was the model before the last one. In addition, the 2005 Clio – Phase 2: 2009 – was available as a three-door hatchback. Before that Clio 3, there was the Clio 2 – introduction: 1998, Phase 2: 2001, Phase 3: 2003, from 2006 only as Campus – as a three and five-door hatchback. The same applies to the Clio 1 – introduction: 1990, Phase 2: 1994, Phase 3: 1996 – and its predecessor, the R5 "Supercinq" – introduction: 1984, Phase 2: 1987 –, which was the successor of the famous first Renault 5 from 1972. If you go even further back in time, you will come across the Renault 4 (1961), and before that the 4CV (1947). Now, that's quite a pedigree…

The odds of the Clio
The new Clio may look like its predecessor, but under the skin there's a lot that's new. The car is built on a new platform, making the car a better drive. The balance in the chassis is good. In addition, the luggage space is one of the largest in its segment, the interior is much nicer than in the previous Clio, the price is competitive and the car also comes as a hybrid. On the other hand, the leg room in the back is only just adequate, the steering could be a little more predictable and it is just a good car. The latter is of course great in itself, and the Clio might become quite a success, but the question is of course whether you can win a prize with being 'just a good car'. The design is contemporary, but not very innovative and unlike the 208, the Clio is not available with an electric drive. For that, Renault sticks to to the Zoe and as far as I am concerned, they're wasting an opportunity, especially given Renaults experience with electric drives. A Zoe may also be a good car, but it is not a Clio. (And an e-208 ís a 208.)

Will the Clio be the Car of the Year 2020?
Every car that makes it to the last seven of course has a chance, but in the case of the Clio it would surprise me if it won the title. 'Just a good car' does not seem enough to me to beat the other nominees. Unless that is what the jury is looking for.