Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Sport Clio 220 Trophy review - Is the turbocharged Clio finally any fun? - Interior and tech

The new Clio gets a facelift, a new exhaust and the Trophy becomes a proper production model

Evo rating
RRP
from £22,425
  • Tenacious and grippy chassis, but one that’s still fun
  • Lacklustre drivetrain and lifeless steering make it hard to enjoy

The interior of the Trophy isn’t much different from a standard Clio, albeit graced with satellite navigation. Fast Clios of old always used the basic poverty spec interiors; the paired-back, light-weight, no-nonsense feel was all part of the French charm. Now though, the basic Clio has an interior that looks far fancier – there’s polished black plastic, chrome and leather. The luxury is only superficial sadly. The plastics seem cheap, nothing seems to fit together very well and it seems worryingly breakable.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Trophy doesn’t have to make do with the standard Clio’s seats, though. It gets a set of leather, heated seats. They’re not the prettiest items and the side bolstering is so significant it makes getting in and out of them slightly tricky.

What they lack in aesthetics or ease of ingress and egress, they make up for in support. You sit deep into them, with the seat hugging you from the waist right up, almost to your armpits. As a passenger they feel quite awkward, your arms get pushed forwards as they rest on the side bolsters. With your arms out in front of you when driving though, the support is incredible.

It’s not easy to find the perfect driving position in the Trophy. The seats, although supportive, are set a little too high and the wheel doesn’t allow much adjustment in regards to reach either. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Edition 50 v Toyota GR Yaris Aero v Honda Civic Type R: hot hatch stars go head-to-head
Golf GTI v GR Yaris Aero v Civic Type R
Group tests

VW Golf GTI Edition 50 v Toyota GR Yaris Aero v Honda Civic Type R: hot hatch stars go head-to-head

Volkswagen and Toyota have just released the best versions yet of the GR Yaris and Mk8 Golf GTI. Does either have what it takes to overcome the brilli…
2 Aug 2026
I put budget tyres to the test in the wet, and the results were terrifying
Cheap tyres
Opinion

I put budget tyres to the test in the wet, and the results were terrifying

Skimping on tyres may save you a few pounds, but at what cost, ponders Barker
30 Jul 2026
A week in a Porsche 911 GT3: why the world’s best sports car isn’t quite perfect
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
Long term tests

A week in a Porsche 911 GT3: why the world’s best sports car isn’t quite perfect

A week in the Porsche 911 GT3 reveals why even the world’s best sports car can’t get it all right
3 Aug 2026