Let's face it, the automotive world has become a bit boring. Everyone is driving refrigerators on wheels that we call SUVs, and the passion has been lost somewhere between "practicality" and "high seating position". But fear not, Renault hasn't thrown a gun into the trash. The new 2026 Clio is here, and it looks like it wants to bite the ankle of every crossover it encounters. They call it the "little Jaguar" - and when you see that front end, you'll know why. This isn't just a car; it's a statement that size (still) isn't everything. That's what most journalists testing it these days say.
New Renault Clio in equipment Esprit Alpine is proof that even a “regular” city car can look like a million bucks (or at least like a very well-spent almost 30 thousand). Many have called it a “little Jaguar”, and with that distinctively shaped bonnet and new daytime running lights that cut through the air, it’s not far from the truth. To us, it looks more like a Mazda. The Renault Clio 2026 is 4.12 meters (162 inches) long, which means you’ll still be able to park it in that hole in the city centre that your neighbour’s “tank” won’t fit into.
But be careful, this is not just cosmetic surgery. Renault has played with ecology this time. The wheels? 18-inch (the largest ever) and made from 50 % recycled aluminum. The seats? Dressed in materials that have seen a previous life, but feel surprisingly prestigious to the touch. Inside the Renault Clio 2026 Esprit Alpine, you'll find a combination of Alcantara and fabric that gives the feeling that you're sitting in something much more expensive. And yes, the steering wheel is "animal-free" (read: vegan leather), but it feels better under your fingers than ever before.
Technology: Finally, a Google that works
Thank goodness for physical buttons! The Clio has kept the classic climate controls – a move that all manufacturers should celebrate with champagne. Everything else is digitalised, though. Two 10-inch screens dominate the dashboard, and the system is powered by Google. This means you have navigation that actually knows where the traffic jam is, rather than guessing like your old aunt with a paper map.
But there's some cynical fun in the details. Renault has added a "smart" driving mode (Smart Mode)The car figures out when you need power and switches from Eco to Sport. It sounds like something that will confuse the average driver, but in practice, when you step on the gas, the thing actually wakes up and the colors on the displays turn red.
Heart of the Beast: 1.8-liter hybrid (Wait, what?)
This is where things get interesting. There's no longer just a regular grinder under the hood. The new hybrid powertrain combines an updated 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (yes, you read that right, 1.8!) and electricity. Together, they produce 158 horsepower (118 kW). That's a figure we respect in this segment.
Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes a solid 8.3 seconds. It’s not exactly Tesla, but it’s quick enough to leave most of those sleepy SUVs behind at the traffic lights. The 1.4 kWh battery allows you to drive around town for a surprisingly long time in silence – Renault says you can drive on electric power for up to 80% of the city driving time. Consumption? In the press test, it hovered around 4 to 5 liters per 100 km (about 47–58 mpg). If you’re gentle, you might even hit that promised 4 liters. But if you’re me, you probably won’t.
The top speed is around 174 km/h (108 mph) – enough to lose your license on the highway if you're not careful.
Driving: Maturity that surprises
Clio grew up on the road. The suspension on the 18-inch wheels is surprisingly comfortable, although you still feel like you're sitting in a small car (the short wheelbase doesn't lie). The steering is feather-light in Eco mode, and precise enough in Sport mode to have fun cornering.
But not everything is rosy. The back is more for children or friends you don't like very much. If you're 190 cm tall, you'll have a hard time sitting behind you without doing yoga. And then there are the parking sensors - the sound is so panicky that you'll think you've hit a land mine, even though you're only near a bush. Fortunately, the sound can be turned off.
What does the internet say?
The online community and automotive journalists (including sources like Autogefühl, Carwow, Motor1 and YouTube comments) are pretty unanimous about the new Clio. It's an evolution, not a revolution, with significant technical improvements.
👍 What the internet is Praising (The Good): Renault Clio 2026
- Design (“Baby Jaguar”): The new front grille with sharp daytime running lights is a big hit. Many visually compare it to a Jaguar or even a Cupra, which is a big compliment for this segment. The Esprit Alpine’s equipment with sporty accessories is very well received.
- Hybrid efficiency: The new 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain (E-Tech 160) has been praised for its exceptional city efficiency. Users report that EV driving is possible for up to 80% of city driving time, with real-world fuel consumption of around 4.0-4.5 l/100 km.
- Google integration: This is one of the most praised points. Users love that the navigation (Google Maps) works naturally, quickly and without the need to connect a phone. The physical climate buttons are a “godsend” in the age of touchscreens.
- Interior materials: The move to recycled materials and Alcantara in higher trim levels gives the car a premium feel that goes beyond the B-segment.
- Chassis comfort: Despite the 18-inch wheels, most tests report that the car absorbs bumps nicely and feels mature (“grown-up”).
👎 What the internet is CHEATING (The Bad): Renault Clio 2026
- Rear space: This is the Clio's "Achilles heel". Tall passengers (over 185 cm) will suffer in the back. Knees quickly touch the front seat, and the roofline limits headroom. The competition (e.g. the Škoda Fabia or VW Polo) is more spacious here.
- Warning Sounds (The Panic): Parking sensors and security systems have been described as being too “panicky” and loud. Autogefühl specifically points out that the beeping sounds like a disaster is about to happen, even though you’re just near a bush.
- Price: With the entry into the “hybrid era” and better equipment, the Clio has become expensive. The fully equipped model exceeds €28,000, which for many is the psychological limit for a city car.
- Hybrid trunk: The hybrid battery reduces the space under the trunk floor, which means less space for small items compared to the gasoline version (approx. 300 liters for the hybrid vs. 391 liters for the gasoline version).
Price list by equipment packages (Slovenia & EU - price estimate) - Renault Clio 2026
Renault maintains its classic hierarchy of three packages: Evolution (entrance), Techno (middle, technological) and Esprit Alpine (sports summit). These are unofficial prices and predictions.
1. EVOLUTION – Entering the world of Clio
This is no longer a “bare” car. It already includes digital gauges and a central display as standard, but with less prestigious materials.
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Petrol engine (TCe 100/115): Expect a price around 19.500 € (regular price).
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Footnote: Renault often offers promotional prices with financing (“Clio I feel Slovenia”), where the entry price can drop to magical levels. €15,000 – €16,000, but this applies to the more basic engines (TCe 90).
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Hybrid (E-Tech 160): The entry price for a hybrid in this trim will be approximately €24,500 – €24,700.
2. TECHNO – The Golden Mean
Here you get what most people want: a rearview camera, larger wheels (16/17 inches), better upholstery and “Multi-Sense” (choice of driving profiles).
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Gasoline engine: The price ranges around €21,000 – €21,500.
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Hybrid (E-Tech 160): Expect a price around 26.300 €.
3. ESPRIT ALPINE – Top of the range (Your “Little Jaguar”)
This is the version we described in the article. Specific bumpers, 18-inch wheels, Alcantara, sports seats.
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Gasoline engine: Rarely available in this combination, but if it is, the price will be around 23.500 €.
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Hybrid (E-Tech 160): This is the most expensive version. Prices in Europe range between €28,000 and €30,000In Slovenia we can expect a price close to €28,500 – €29,000 before discounts.
Conclusion: Is this the best small car in the world?
New Renault The Clio 2026 is a car you buy with your heart and justify with your head. In Esprit Alpine It looks fantastic, drives better than most of the competition and, with its hybrid powertrain, actually saves fuel without killing your joie de vivre. Price? It'll start somewhere around €24,000 for the hybrid, with a fully equipped model creeping towards €30,000. A lot for a Clio? Maybe. But considering you get the technology, looks and materials you'd expect in a class above it, this might be the last bastion of "normal" cars before electric crossovers swallow us all.
If you're looking for a city car that has soul, this is it. So – Renault Clio 2026. And the neighbor's SUV will look like a stupid box next to it.
