Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution

It's our reigning Small Car of the Year, but will the latest Clio continue to impress in daily use? We're finding out

- Jonty Renk

BACK WHEN I was 17, I learnt to drive in a Renault Clio. And like most other people who love cars, I've always had something of a soft spot for my first set of wheels.

Specifically, the car was an early fourth-generation Clio - a model that seemed to be very popular with driving instructors at the time. Looking back now, it's easy to see why; it provided new drivers like myself with a soft landing when being introduced to the open road. Its small size made it unintimidating, and its light yet precise controls made it comparatively easy to manoeuvre.

Fast forward to earlier this year, when I was filming a video review of the latest model for What Car?'s YouTube channel, and it was clear that the Clio is now better than ever. So much so, in fact, that we named it our Small Car of the Year at the 2024 What Car? Awards. As a result, I've decided to revisit my youth by picking the latest Clio as my new company car.

After poring over what you get with each of the three trim levels offered by Renault, I decided to go for Evolution. It may be the cheapest, but it's still packed with kit, including a 7.0in touchscreen that runs smartphone mirroring wirelessly (and flawlessly, so far), plus cruise control and rear parking sensors.