Renault has kept the small hatch alive in Europe, but leans heavily towards compact SUV styling in the process.
Renault has unveiled the 2026 Clio compact hatch at the Munich motor show, confirming hybrid engines and manual transmissions will be mainstays of the sixth-generation model.
The new Clio comes 35 years after the Clio nameplate was first introduced, at the time replacing the Renault 5.
In Renault’s contemporary line-up, the Clio will sell as the internal combustion sibling to the now-electric revived Renault 5.
While the outgoing Clio was available with a hybrid engine, along with a range of non-hybrid petrol and diesel three- and four-cylinder engines, the 2026 Renault Clio has been announced with a new full hybrid E-Tech 1.8-litre engine producing 118kW and 205Nm.
A lower-output 1.2-litre petrol and LPG three-cylinder engine will also be offered, rated at 85kW.
The new hybrid is 13kW more powerful than the highest-output hybrid in the previous generation, while Renault promises fuel consumption of 3.9 litres per 100km.
Renault claims the new hybrid can use its electric motor up to 80 per cent of the time while driving.
The manual transmission will be reserved for the 85kW internal combustion Clio, while the hybrid will be paired with an “intelligent multimode” automatic transmission.
Styling for the new Clio borrows some elements from SUVs, with a slightly elevated ride height, wheel arches trimmed with black cladding, and a swept fastback roofline, similar to that of the larger Arkana and Rafale SUVs.
Up front, the Clio features an angular face with hexagonal lower air intakes, framed by LED running lights. The hexagonal frame is repeated in the grille and in design elements of the headlights.
The rear styling features a sculptural indent that runs through the twin taillights on each side.
The interior of the new Clio features dual 10-inch displays for instruments and infotainment, with Renault’s OpenR Link software including Google built-in, Google Maps, Google Assistant and access to the Google Play store.
The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and features app connectivity and over-the-air updates.
Among new or improved safety and driver assist systems, the Clio lists intelligent adaptive cruise control, front and rear detection and emergency trajectory correction, forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB), safe-exit alert, 360-degree cameras and an emergency stop assist function, which can bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the driver becomes unresponsive.
When asked about the Clio’s chances for Australian introduction, a Renault Australia spokesperson told Drive there were “no plans at this stage.”
The Renault Clio range was last offered in Australia in 2020 as the fourth-generation model, with the most recent version not being offered locally.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
