Renault Clio Expression 1.2 16v 3dr Car Review - March 2012

The Renault Clio Expression is powered by a 1.2litre, 4-cylinder, 16valve 1149cc petrol engine, which produces 75bhp and 79 lb-ft of torque. It is zippy around town and has enough pull to give a decent performance on open roads. 62mph comes in 13.4 seconds, which is not bad for a super-mini. It has a top speed of 104mph, and this is enough to keep up with motorway traffic. The 5-speed manual gearbox loves to take its time during gearshifts but it is smooth and efficient nonetheless.

The Clio is thrilling to drive. The chassis response is amazing and the grip feels right on all kinds of roads. There is tight body control and light steering makes it so much easier to manoeuvre. At higher speeds though, the steering does not feel as responsive as it does in town. But you will enjoy a comfortable ride, with the soft suspension soaking every pothole.

The Clio is one of the most refined small family cars. The engine revs quietly and the cabin is well-insulated from external noise. On very bumpy roads, you can hear the suspension working hard but it quietens when you get to smoother bits of the road.

You will enjoy good forward visibility. Curved rear pillars slightly hamper rear visibility but won’t be a bother for an experienced driver.

The Clio Expression is a beauty. Curved headlights that are slightly arched backwards add definition to the 3-door, 5-seat hatchback’s front. A new-design bumper and taillights are part of the rear magic.

Only higher trims have exquisite soft-touch interiors but the Expression is still classy enough on the inside. The cabin layout is good, with the dash being the most eye-catching bit with its plush finish and distinct dials.

Renault was mean with standard equipment on this model. You only get power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobiliser, MP3 connectivity and a CD player.

A number of extras are available as cost options but there are also features that are completely unavailable, even at cost. You can get stability control for £315, air con for £575, sat nav for £470, alloy wheels for £520 and metallic paint for £455.

Renault has recently improved the mechanics in its productions, so you are not likely to have any major problems with the Clio Expression. A 3-year/100,000 mile warranty will take care of any mishaps should they happen in your initial years of ownership.

Renault has not taken chances as far as safety is concerned, even in this entry-level model. It is fitted with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, anti-drill locks, deadlocks, immobiliser and remote central locking. Stability control would have sealed the safety deal were it standard in the car, but at least it is affordable. An excellent 5-star rating for occupant safety in the Euro NCAP crash test is further proof that the Clio Expression is safe enough.

Few small family cars are as spacious as the Clio Expression. It can comfortably seat four adults and five can squeeze in. Even accessing the rear through the 3-doors is a breeze - a rare feat in most super-minis.

There is no shortage of space in the cabin. The glove box is a good size and a number of bottle holders are in place if you need additional storage space. The boot is a sizeable 288 litres, which you can expand to 1038 litres by folding the rear seats. The seats do not fold flat though and leave a big stepped area. The load lip is high so you will need lots of energy to haul heavier loads over it.

The driving position is set high and may not suit everyone.

The Renault Clio Expression's list price and running costs fall in the same range as most other small family cars. The only difference is in residual values. While rivals such as the Ford Fiesta hold their value quite well, the Renault Clio Expression is likely to lose up to 60% of its original value in three years.

But you won’t break the bank just to keep the car. It returns a decent 48.7mpg and has low emissions. An average of 135g/km in CO2 emissions puts the car in road tax band E, which costs £115 a year in VED. Insurance costs will be low – the car sits in insurance group 8 – and visits to the service centre will be far apart, thanks to an 18,000 mile service interval.