2019 Renault Clio (Generation 5)

This fleet went through Franschhoek yesterday.
Car looks smart and quite big in the metal.

Certainly not sporty through the pass, either the car journalist should stick to writing instead of driving, or the chassis is not setup for spirited driving. I noticed the car understeer in a few corners from just driving closely behind :giggle:
 
This fleet went through Franschhoek yesterday.
Car looks smart and quite big in the metal.

Certainly not sporty through the pass, either the car journalist should stick to writing instead of driving, or the chassis is not setup for spirited driving. I noticed the car understeer in a few corners from just driving closely behind :giggle:
Lol
 
DRIVEN: Renault Clio 5 is finally here, but was it worth the wait?

Overall the new Clio V is a delightful offering within the segment. It ticks all the boxes in terms of design and technology. The ride quality is also decent, albeit slightly more on the sportier side and the motor is able to get a move on when needed. We however like to see an automatic because not every trip includes the sublime Franschhoek mountain pass.

Renault Clio pricing (February 2022)

1.0 Turbo LIFE - R309 900

1.0 Turbo ZEN - R324 900

1.0 Turbo INTENS - R349 900

 
DRIVEN | Renault's Polo-rival now in SA, but will the new Clio 5 rake in the numbers?

• The fifth-generation Clio has finally arrived in South Africa

• It goes up against cars like VW's new Polo and Hyundai's i20.

• Has Renault done enough to make this Clio 5 take on its rivals?


The 1.0-litre engine is feisty, but you have to know how to lure that out. Power figures are only 74kW at 2500rpm. But you need to hit it at the sweet spot of 5000rpm and keep it in that power band to get the most out of this little hot hatch, and then it really comes out of its shell and holds its own on sweeping S-bends in any of the Cape's delectable mountain passes to hold its own.

Renault has hit the nail on the head with its smaller city cars like the Kwid, Kiger, and Triber, all selling really well for the brand and bringing in hundreds of sales numbers every month, consistently bringing in a tally of over 2000 units. It will be interesting to see if the Clio could move that many units too. If it does, Renault will make a killing and bump its ranking up from fifth place in the automaker standings and market share.

Pricing

Clio V 1.0 Turbo LIFE - R309 900
Clio V 1.0 Turbo ZEN - R324 900
Clio V 1.0 Turbo INTENS - R349 900

Options include:
Metallic paint – R2 500
INTENS Option Pack – R15 000
This pack includes a 9.3" Media Screen, rear camera, front parking distance control, and 17" Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels.

 
At R309 900, drum brakes, front only electric windows and 4 airbags, that does not sound right if you look at the competition and it is certainly not what you want to do when you want to give the Polo a hard time, they really should have tried harder, seriously nothing screams cheapness like drum brakes.
 
At R309 900, drum brakes, front only electric windows and 4 airbags, that does not sound right if you look at the competition and it is certainly not what you want to do when you want to give the Polo a hard time, they really should have tried harder, seriously nothing screams cheapness like drum brakes.

Polo has drum brakes. Every small hatch other than a gti, rs, st etc has drum brakes

Also probably 50 to 100k cheaper than a polo in the real world hey. Also longer factory warranty and generally more options.

I don't like it tho. Neither do I like the polo. I drove a 1.0T dsg, horrible
 
At R309 900, drum brakes, front only electric windows and 4 airbags, that does not sound right if you look at the competition and it is certainly not what you want to do when you want to give the Polo a hard time, they really should have tried harder, seriously nothing screams cheapness like drum brakes.
At that price point most have drum brakes, in fact drum brakes are more standard nowadays then discs on the rear, as they last longer and discs don't really give that much difference.
 
At that price point most have drum brakes, in fact drum brakes are more standard nowadays then discs on the rear, as they last longer and discs don't really give that much difference.
They have discs because manufacturers have been cutting corners ever since they realised that SA consumers are this gullible, my brother's first gen i20 had discs all round. Yes most cars don't have them but you don't beat the competition by being like them, you beat them by being better than them.

Another thing to note with the Clio is that it has drums across the range while most brands reserve drums for entry level models and put disc's on the higher specced models. *Edit* Looks like the Intens do have discs at the rear so an improvement from the previous, all brake drum line up.

Believe me when I tell you it has nothing to do with lasting longer, that is just an unintended consequence, they were put there because they are cheap. Under different driving conditions having discs all round works much better, most driver assists features work better with discs than drums, but it's true that you can get away with drums for most of the times but from an aesthetic and the premium look they look bad, fine on a Sandero, bad on a Clio.
 
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Polo has drum brakes. Every small hatch other than a gti, rs, st etc has drum brakes

Also probably 50 to 100k cheaper than a polo in the real world hey. Also longer factory warranty and generally more options.

I don't like it tho. Neither do I like the polo. I drove a 1.0T dsg, horrible
That's not entirely true, unless "every" is used loosely.

To stand a chance against the Polo you don't become like a Polo, you become more superior and put some distance between yourself and you competitor, that's what Haval did with it's competition and its clearly paying dividends, drum brakes aside, front only electric windows in 2022 for that money?

I just feel like they could afford to do more.
 
That's not entirely true, unless "every" is used loosely.

To stand a chance against the Polo you don't become like a Polo, you become more superior and put some distance between yourself and you competitor, that's what Haval did with it's competition and its clearly paying dividends, drum brakes aside, front only electric windows in 2022 for that money?

I just feel like they could afford to do more.
Well, a R500k Hilux also got drums fitted
 
Well, a R500k Hilux also got drums fitted
Yes, because there is a technical reason for that but my point is that when a GWM decided to take on the Hilux they did not do so by building a bakkie with the same features as a Hilux and slapping the same price tag on it, they built a bakkie with more features than a Hilux that is less expensive, that's what you do when you are fighting a formidable opponent like the Hilux or the Polo, you put more in the value proposition of your product.
 
That's not entirely true, unless "every" is used loosely.

To stand a chance against the Polo you don't become like a Polo, you become more superior and put some distance between yourself and you competitor, that's what Haval did with it's competition and its clearly paying dividends, drum brakes aside, front only electric windows in 2022 for that money?

I just feel like they could afford to do more.

fair enough. but polos of R400k doesnt have disks at the back. only the top spec non gti.

Also, this is the basic clio, there's no 1.2T, there's no 1.5T, no diesel, no RS Line.
 
Yes, because there is a technical reason for that but my point is that when a GWM decided to take on the Hilux they did not do so by building a bakkie with the same features as a Hilux and slapping the same price tag on it, they built a bakkie with more features than a Hilux that is less expensive, that's what you do when you are fighting a formidable opponent like the Hilux or the Polo, you put more in the value proposition of your product.
Why do you think there isn't a technical reason for Renault to fit drums on a 1.0t 3cylinder car?
In your mind it's only economic reasons. I tend to agree with you on this point, for me it also screams budget.

I would say Renault has opted to rather spend budget on the inside where Gen Z will look for perceived value and features over mechanical and nuts and bolts.

Saying that for R310k each a Clio is comparable to a Polo on spec is a lie.
At the recent George car show a new 1.0t 5 speed manual Polo was specc'ed to the max and had a ticket price of R501k all in. And no, not the DSG model that starts @ R422k.. Not sure how the dealer got to that amount, but I sat in both Polo and Golf GTI with a R300k difference. I could not see the R300k value.
 
Volkswagen Polo vs Renault Clio: Which should you buy?

The Volkswagen Polo – one of the most popular compact hatchbacks in our market – recently received an update, but in the meantime, an all-new Renault Clio has arrived to entice local buyers to purchase the French newcomer instead. Does the stylish Clio pip the Polo and, more importantly, which one should you buy?

The Polo is the second most popular model in the Wolfsburg-based firm’s global portfolio (after the Tiguan family car) and Volkswagen South Africa’s (VWSA) 6th-generation compact hatchback recently underwent an update. With the revised model, the German brand seeks to consolidate – and expand on – the model’s sales success, not only in Mzansi, but in other markets, all around the world.

However, success for the more sophisticated (and, therefore, pricier) Polo isn’t necessarily guaranteed – the arrival of the stylish new Renault Clio 5 will certainly give local buyers something else to consider. The new Clio was revealed in 2019, but its arrival in the local market was delayed because of various factors. However, the Clio is here now and it’s raring to take the fight to its German rival.

The main aim of this article is to help you, the consumer, make an informed buying decision if you are considering both of these models. To help you, we will provide need-to-know information about the models, as well as our insights (based on available vehicle information) and our experience with the cars in question.

This article will cover key aspects including Engine Performance, Efficiency & Handling, Interior Features & Safety, Dimensions & Practicality and Pricing and Warranty details.

Please note that because design and styling are subjective, we will not pass judgment on the Polo and Clio’s exterior styling – you can decide for yourself which of the 2 cars looks best.

What to Buy?

The Volkswagen Polo was once the default “first new car” that people bought, but, like most compact hatchbacks, it has become progressively more expensive as its packaging, onboard technology and safety features have advanced (mostly to satisfy markets to which the Polo is exported). Even so, the Polo is arguably still the segment leader when it comes to performance and perceived quality and will, therefore, continue to appeal to those who can afford to buy one. Furthermore, with a choice of 3 powertrains (with manual and auto transmissions available), the Polo caters well for local buyers’ needs.

As for the Renault Clio 5, it’s a much-improved product compared to its predecessor and the combination of the newcomer’s keen pricing, generous specification and long warranty will be particularly attractive to buyers on a tight budget. However, the chink in the French contender’s armour is the fact that there’s no automatic transmission available in the range (as of March 2022 but one is expected later this year) and that fact alone will force many potential customers (many of which commute) to look elsewhere, at least until such time that Renault introduces a self-shifting derivative. A more powerful engine will also enhance the Clio’s popularity.

That said, if a car with an automatic transmission is not a priority for you, the new Clio should be on your shortlist, especially if your budget for a new compact hatchback stretches no further than R350k.

 
Is it true that the Clio V comes with a 2 year/30,000 km service plan? Why is it so short? I’d expect a bit more at those prices.
 
Is it true that the Clio V comes with a 2 year/30,000 km service plan? Why is it so short? I’d expect a bit more at those prices.

thats basically 2 services. And probably just oil. My car came with 3 yrs that i extended to 4 yrs. warranty 5yrs and 150 000kms.
 
thats basically 2 services. And probably just oil. My car came with 3 yrs that i extended to 4 yrs. warranty 5yrs and 150 000kms.
That’s disappointing.
 
That’s disappointing.

VW is worse when it comes to extras. MP, warranty, service plan all needs extentions.
on something as "premium" as a gti, LEDs, 18s, leather should all be standard. its why I didnt take one over a clio.
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