Renault Clio VI Hybrid: Test, Review & Best Used Deals

The Renault Clio VI was unveiled in September 2025 at the Munich Motor Show. It packs a new E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 hp engine, stretches to 4.12 meters in length, and starts at €28,300 in Esprit Alpine trim. This is a deep revamp for the car that topped French sales for the third year running in 2025, ahead of the Peugeot 208.

"Over the Clio's 35 years on sale, it's been France's best-seller 25 times." — L'Auto Journal

A Design That Divides, Dimensions That Grow

The visual shock is real. The Clio VI breaks away from the smooth, crowd-pleasing lines of its predecessor for a sharper, more aggressive look. According to Le Moniteur Automobile, this generation "inaugurates the design language of future modern Renaults." L'Auto Journal reports that some observers were thrown off: "without the logo, they wouldn't have recognized a Renault." That's saying something.

The dimensions have clearly evolved. 4.12 meters long—7 cm more than the Clio V. The front track is wider, which, according to L'Auto Journal, "has a noticeable effect on handling." On paper, this growth brings the Clio close to the size of a compact car from fifteen years ago. In real life, you feel it most when parking.

The E-Tech 160 Engine: The Hybrid That Wants to Kill Diesel

Under the hood, diesel is gone. The Clio VI no longer offers it, and that's a turning point. The Clio V was one of the last city cars still offering diesel—Renault holding out against the trend—but this generation change marks the end.

In its place comes the new 1.8 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 hp. This unit replaces the 1.6 E-Tech 145, offering more power and lower fuel consumption, according to L'Auto Journal. Le Moniteur Automobile headlines with "Better Than a Diesel?" and seems to answer yes on efficiency, while tempering the overall picture.

In city driving, the Clio's hybrid behaves as expected: the electric motor often takes over, fuel consumption drops, and the transitions between thermal and electric remain discreet. That's where this system truly shines. On the open road or highway, the equation is less flattering—but that's the nature of a non-plug-in hybrid.

Against the 208: A Draw, But Not on Everything

The comparison with the Peugeot 208 was inevitable. The two French cars have been staring each other down for years—Clio first, 208 right behind, every year since 2023. L'Auto Journal pitted them directly: Clio E-Tech 160 hp Esprit Alpine vs 208 1.2 Hybrid 145 hp GT.

L'Auto Journal's verdict is a "draw on points," but with very different strengths. The Clio wins on multimedia—Google built-in, a more polished interface—fuel consumption, and chassis composure. The 208 takes the lead on comfort and a more cohesive interior presentation. The Clio scores on tech, the 208 on perceived build quality. The final editorial choice at L'Auto Journal leans toward the Clio, despite a comfort deficit on rough roads and a smaller trunk.

The Skoda Fabia is a solid third option in this segment. WhatCar describes it as a car that "seems to offer more than the sum of its parts," with a ride more comfortable than the Clio and Seat Ibiza—but less fun to drive than either. Tastes vary.