Renault Clio 6: Subtle Facelift, Stronger Hybrid
Renault used the Munich stage to introduce the sixth-generation Clio, a carefully honed update to a model that already wears the crown as Europe’s best-seller.
The Clio stays true to its compact roots: a small hatchback equally at home in private driveways and fleet line-ups. The biggest technical shift is under the bonnet, where a new 160 hp E-Tech full hybrid takes centre stage. Renault quotes 3.9 l/100 km fuel consumption, 89 g/km of CO₂, and the ability to drive in electric mode for up to 80 percent of urban journeys. They are tidy figures, though not entirely fresh—its predecessor already offered a 145 hp hybrid that proved a hit with buyers.
Design changes are in line with Renault’s definition of “new”: sharper sculpted lines, a more assertive front-end expression, and the openR dual-screen setup running Google services. The brochure lists 29 driver assistance systems, nudging the Clio into C-segment territory, at least on paper. In practice, it remains what it has always been: a compact family car, now with more screens and more electronic safety nets.
Sustainability talking points are, predictably, part of the script. Renault highlights the use of recycled materials, as much a requirement in a 2025 press release as LED lighting.
Orders open at the end of the year, with pricing still under wraps. Expect careful positioning: the Clio must remain a people’s car, but the added hybrid tech and digital upgrades will inevitably demand their margin.
