New 2027 Renault Clio breaks cover in Munich with 72 mpg hybrid option

Renault’s enduring hatch returns for a stylish sixth generation. We find out if it can tempt British buyers out of their compact crossovers.

Over the last 35 years Renault has shifted no fewer than 1.3 million Clios in the UK alone. And, over those three and a half decades the quirky hatch has taken many forms — from 1.0-litre, three-cylinder economical runabout, to mid-engined V6 rocketship. But now, with crossovers likes Ford’s Puma dominating the sales charts, can the Clio once again reinvent itself to stay relevant? 

Well, getting the styling right is a great place to start. That’s why Renault has clearly paid close attention to nailing the Clio’s redesign. Drawing heavily upon the Emblème concept’s attention-grabbing lines for inspiration, we think Renault’s efforts will go down well with Brits. Unlike some of the new Chinese competition, the Clio is well proportioned, classy, but with just enough aggressive accents to keep things interesting. In fact, according to the French marque, the new car’s longer wheelbase, bonnet, and ‘expressive’ face, give it a ‘chiselled, sensual and more Latin than ever’ look. Oh là là. 

Having thoroughly explored every nook and cranny of its cabin at the Munich Motor Show, we can also report that the inside is just as pleasant. From the indicator click to the thunk when you close the door, it all feels far better screwed together than some French hatchbacks of yore. But that doesn’t mean it’s abandoned its quirkiness in the pursuit of build quality. There’s an array of interesting new dash materials, as well as integrated ambient lighting offering a choice of 48 colours. And, with a dual 10.1-inch screen set-up as standard, it’s got all your techy infotainment needs covered.

It's practical, too. There’s acres of head and legroom in the back (for a supermini) thanks to dimensions which have grown by 67 mm in length and 11 mm in height. Plus, at 391 litres, the boot is usefully larger than some hatchbacks from the class above. 

Engines? Yes, there’s a couple of fresh options to choose from. Most notably, a new full hybrid 1.8-litre powerplant promises to deliver 158 bhp, a record-low 89g/km of CO2, and a respectable 72.4 mpg. Those are some pretty decent specs, but for those who don’t need (or want) electrification, there’s also a good old 1.2-litre, 115-bhp petrol option paired to an increasingly rare manual gearbox. However, neither powertrain will set the heather alight when it comes to performance; we’ll need to wait with bated breath to find out whether a hot MK6 Clio is on the cards.

So, it all sounds pretty promising then. But when can you actually place an order and, more importantly, how much will the new Clio set you back? Interestingly, despite its recent reveal at the 2025 Munich Motor show, you won’t be able to get your hands on one until at least 2027 — which isn’t great if you’re in the market for a new car right now. That said, when it does finally land, pricing is expected to be highly competitive and in line with the current Clio.

Do you think the sixth-gen Clio has what it takes to keep the supermini segment alive? Let us know if you’d pick the French hatch over the likes of VW’s new Polo (when it arrives), Mini’s Cooper, or Suzuki’s Swift.

Hero image credit:  Renault