Renault Clio Review (2005-2011)

When the mk3 arrived in 2005, it marked a change in emphasis for the Clio. The first two Clios were cute and small, but while stylish, they weren't particularly practical. Heavier and larger than the previous model, the Clio mk3 offered considerably more space inside.

The third-generation Clio was better built as well as larger. Dynamique spec cars and above had plusher plastics, giving a more upmarket feel that made the Clio a credible rival for the Volkswagen Polo.

That extra space didn’t just set the Clio apart from its predecessors: it also meant it bettered most of its rivals. Inside, there was enough space for four adults to sit comfortably – a trait to which not every small car of its ilk could lay claim – and there was a decent-sized boot too.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Sports Tourer (a five-door estate) was added to the range a year after the three-door and five-door hatchback body styles, although if you want one you'll need to search patiently, because the estate didn't sell in huge numbers.

This new-found maturity was also reflected in the way the Clio mk3 drove. Although not as much fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta or Mazda 2, it was (and still is) a quiet and refined car by supermini standards. There's not much wind- or road noise to put up with, so it's at home on the motorway as well as around town.

These qualities meant the Clio received largely positive car reviews at the time. In fact, it was made European Car of the Year in 2006.

In 2009, a facelift further improved the quality of the interior and gave the styling a subtle refresh to bring the looks in line with those of the larger Renault Megane. Improved steering made the car more enjoyable to drive, too.

When the Clio was facelifted in 2009, Renault was worried that car buyers were unwilling to pay for expensive in-car satnav, and were choosing aftermarket units instead. Hence a can't beat 'em, join 'em tie-up with satnav maker Tom Tom. Dynamique Tom Tom and GT Line Tom Tom spec levels were added to the range, with a built-in Tom Tom satnav in the dashboard. These Carminat Tom Tom devices can be updated by SD card through a home computer for the latest mapping.

Numerous special editions were offered during the Clio's lifetime. Notable models include the Rip Curl, a collaboration with the surfing and snowboarding brand. This special edition featured numerous Rip Curl logos, Iceberg Blue paintwork and 16-inch alloys, plus rubber flooring and a rigid boot box for storing all those 'must-have' lifestyle accessories... Another worth looking out for is the i-Music, with uprated MP3 player connectivity, Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. It was available with the 1.2-litre TCe 75 and 1.2 TCe 100 petrol engines, or the 1.5-litre dCi 86 diesel engine.

For rock-bottom fuel bills, the used Renault Clio mk3 to have is the dCi 86 Renault eco². This arrived in 2010 and replaced the regular dCi 86, improving economy by 12.1mpg to 76.3mpg and giving a theoretical range of 923 miles. That's Land's End to John O'Groats with around 50 miles to spare.

Of course, that's based on the NEDC combined figure, which tends to be optimistic. In reality, 60mpg is more likely, so you'll probably need to fill up somewhere near the Scottish Borders.

The other diesels are also quite economical, and should achieve 55mpg or better in regular driving.

As you'd expect, the petrols won't stretch a gallon quite so far, but the 1.2 TCe should do around 42-45mpg, which isn't bad at all. The entry-level 1.2 will do close to 40mpg, while the 1.4 should be in the mid to high 30s. The 1.6 is a little thirsty, especially when matched to an automatic transmission, in which case it will achieve mpg in the low 30s. The third-gen Clio had an economy-sapping conventional automatic gearbox, not the more fuel-efficient EDC dual-clutch 'box introduced with the mk4 car.

The Renaultsport hot hatches are in a different league for thirst as well as performance. The later 200 models are marginally less thirsty than the 197 cars, but still achieve just 34.4mpg on the combined cycle. Around 27-29mpg is more likely out on the road rather than in a lab.

A Clio hot hatch is an expensive car to insure as well as fuel. The Renaultsport 200 sits in group 30 of 50. That compares with group 26 for a Volkswagen Polo GTI, although the Polo isn't as powerful as the Clio, or to be fair, anywhere near as much fun.

Other Clios have more affordable insurance premiums. The entry-level 1.2 petrol is as low as group 6, while the diesels start from group 5.

Clio owners can avoid paying any Vehicle Excise Duty at all if they run the the dCi 86 Renault eco². This emits just 98g/km of carbon dioxide, so sits in Band A with no annual charge. The most efficient petrol is the 1.2 TCe. This emits as little as 139g/km of CO2, so the annual car tax cost is £150.

If you are looking for an utterly dependable supermini, we'd point you in the direction of a Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 or Toyota Yaris. But while the Clio mk3 isn't as reliable as these cars, it's by no means a liability.

Even the last third-generation Clio to leave the factory will now be getting on a bit, so buy on condition and service history, and don't take a risk on a car that's had corners cut when it comes to maintenance.

In particular, steer clear of any car that hasn't had its cambelt changed on time. If the belt fails it could wreck the engine, and the cost of repair could be more than the value of the car.

If you are shopping for a Renaultsport, beware of cars with faulty gearboxes. The shift can be a little stiff when cold, but it should change gear freely and smoothly once the oil has warmed up.

Whichever model you are thinking of buying, check that electrical items like the windows and radio are all working properly.

The third-gen Clio has also been subject to a number of recalls. Before buying a Clio, put the details into the recall checker on the gov.uk website to see if any work is still outstanding. Most cars should have had all relevant work completed, but some cars do slip through the net.