Next to me is a brand new generation of Renault Clio, and it has a lot in common with this direct competitor: Ford Fiesta.
Both cars were incredibly successful, even up to when it was updated. The Renault Clio consistently was in the top 3 of best sellers...
and the Ford Fiesta was the best selling car in the Netherlands, before it was facelifted of course.
Quite remarkable actually, because sales tend to go down over the years. With these cars, it was the other way around.
The expectations are high, and that's why we're putting the new Clio up against the current Fiesta.
B-segment cars aren't the most spacious cars in the world, but they often get used to ferry about a group of people.
That's why the rear seat is very important. Because of the shape of the seats in the Clio, I've got enough legroom.
My feet fit beneath the seat... However, there's an angle in my legs, which is because the way the rear seat is mounted.
On the other hand, because of it, my head doesn't touch the ceiling. It's not incredibly spacious, which is normal, but it could be worse.
Renault was very proud of the luggage space when they launched the new Clio. It now fits 390 litres, which is a lot for this segment.
However, that's including the space for the spare wheel. It's beneath the floor and it takes up space. You now have 318 litres to play with.
Then, let's get in the back of the Ford. It's a lot less spacious, that stands out immediately. It has less legroom,
a tad less headroom as well. There's less of an angle in my legs here, because the seat is higher. As a whole however, it's less spacious.
The same goes for the boot.
Only 300 litres go in here. You can't expand it with the space for a spare wheel and you can't lower the sill with a plate like in the Clio.
So, a brand new Clio on a brand new platform with a brand new engine. It's a 1.0-litre TCe producing 100 horsepower, just as much as the Fiesta.
And they're tried to make the Clio incredibly accessible. It's very comfortable which steers lightly but very directly.
It's pretty spacious for its segment. Sure, it's not a Skoda Fabia, but it's very accessible indeed.
It's incredibly spacious in the front and it doesn't feel like you're high up on something. That's very pleasant.
The interior of the Clio IV was one of the biggest drawbacks, but they've made big steps there. It looks good with nice materials, buttons for...
climate control, a semi-digital screen in front of me... It all looks a little bit more futuristic now. Multimedia at Renault has always been...
a weak point, but this Clio has been improved greatly. The first of new Renault's. Sure, it's not the best system available, but they've come from far.
It's a big step forward.
The 100 horsepower engine has punch enough, but you have to try to get it out of the engine.
It has quite a senseless clutch and the gearbox is pretty tricky. You have to get used to them if you want a smooth ride.
If you want to change gear, you have to take some time to select the gears. Also, you have to get to get used to the clutch...
in a way that you know when it picks up, because you won't feel it in the pedal.
I really think the chassis is the strong point of this Renault. That might now come as a surprise, because the chassis of its predecessor was good as well.
The steering was very direct, but it's still the case in here. Even though it's now a comfortable car. Don't expect any dynamicism though,
because the steering doesn't offer enough feedback for that. But whenever you go through a follow through, it keeps very level.
It doesn't get bouncy or whatsoever. So, it's a very nice car for longer distances. It's not weak at all.
Because Renault mixed the spaciousness and comfortable aspects of the car with a tight chassis, you just know they've aimed...
at making the Clio more of an allrounder. That way, it's even better as a family car. And they've succeeded.
When it comes to pricing however, it's not as good as it once was. I'm comparing it with three other cars, and it's the most expensive one.
That used to be different. If you want to read that comparison, you can in the paper version.
This Ford Fiesta is a great rival for the Clio because it's also powered by a 1.0-litre engine producing 100 horsepower.
It's the EcoBoost-engine which Ford has been producing for quite some years now. They were one of the first manufacturers which a 3-cylinder...
which packed this amount of punch. So that's fun. Right, it's good to mention that I'm driving the ST-line, not the actual ST.
In some cars, such a sporty line only means different stitching on the steering wheel and nice and new alloys. In this however, a lot has changed.
The car has been lowered, it has sportier dampers and it even has thicker anti-roll bars. And you clearly notice the difference.
As a result, you've got the best driving car in the segment. The steering is absolutely fantastic. However, you lose a lot of comfort.
Especially if you go for long distances on the motorway, it'll be pretty bouncy because of the springs. And that could get annoying.
That's why it's very important to know what you'll be using it for. If you're looking for a family car, I'd skip the ST-line and go...
for a Fiesta Titanium. That's still a nicely steering car, and even though it might not be the same as this, you do get comfort in return.
When it comes to the drive, it's pretty hard to compare it with the Clio. It's a lot sportier whilst the Clio is much more comfortable.
What's also fun with the Clio, is that it's not incredibly weak. Unlike the comfortable and soft Fabia, the Clio is sturdier.
It's a matter of taste really. The engine however, isn't. I can be very clear about that.
It's not the best 3-cylinder around anymore. Peugeot and Opel have very good engines of their own now.
It's better than Renaults TCe though. That's more distant, you're looking for power and such. This engine however sounds more fun,
it feels good, the gearbox is tight and there's more punch to it. The interior of the previous generation wasn't too good, just like the Renault.
Luckily, that has been improved. It now looks modern again. You don't get a digital screen in front of you. Except for the board computer that is,
but the dials are just regular ones. The multimedia system then, it looks simpler but it's quicker and more accessible to my taste.
If we look at the prices, it'll always depend on the way you dress it up. Just like Renault, Ford has nice packages which provide you with...
nice technological options for not too much money. The way it stands here it's around €1.000 cheaper than the Renault, and that once was different.
And it's not like I'm driving the barebones-version. I think that if you equip them similarly, you'll be around the same price.
So which is the better one? It may sound cowardly, but it has everything to do with what you're looking for.
The Clio is the better allrounder which offers you lots of comfort without becoming too weak.
The Fiesta is much more fun to drive however. If you like driving, this is the car for you. It'll involve you in everything.
If you know what you're looking for, you'll know which car you want.