Road Test: Renault Clio

Renault's supermini seems to have been around forever, writes Brian Byrne. And it has, for 21 years and three generations. There are some of us who remember those generations through the series of flirtatious TV ads featuring 'Nicole and Papa'. They were very successful, and, compared to the equally successful but terribly brash 'scrappage' campaign, worked on the basis of providing a feel good factor.

Like Nicole and Papa, the Clio has matured through its years, and a facelift in 2009 gave both the style details and the interior a significant improvement. There's a bit more edge to the design, and the finish inside brings the car up close enough to the competition in this regard, though the instrumentation bezels are a bit 60s. Still, if that's all to worry about, there's not much in the cribbing department.

The Clio is roomy enough, certainly seems to offer a little more width than some of the competition. And there's no great difficulty for taller persons in the back, even if they might want to check out the knee-room in advance of a long drive.

But really, superminis are all about the local drives anyhow, runabouts, shopping, Nicole (or Papa) slipping off to the latest assignation. Not a car that will stand out in potentially embarrassing locations.

For the driver, the space is a good one. An easy to manage position. Good view. Nifty gearchange, tidy steering in tighter places.

And we have been living with evolving variations of this 1.2 petrol engine for some time. Reliable, adaptable, innocuous. Not unreasonably addicted to the fuel forecourts.

It hums along happily on the highway, trips easily up and down hilly suburbs. No great excitement but not a bad habit to be noticed either.

And, you know, there's not a lot more that I can say about Clio. It does what it says on the tin, as they say. And will likely do for a long time.

Maybe there's a reason why we don't see Nicole and Papa any more. It could be that they have driven into middle and third ages respectively. And the car with them.

I'd be a little sad, though, if they have lost the buzz they had for life in the process. Maybe a little more drastic rejuvenation is required, and soon?

Price is attractive, though, starting at €14,600 for the cheapest 5-door. Renault is still offering good deals, and if you fancy a Clio, you won't be looking at the lack of pizzaz.

Rather there might be hopes for a Ludo game hidden in the glove compartment.