At first glance, the interior looks like it is from a different galaxy compared to the old Clio’s, certainly in terms of aesthetic quality.
It’s an impression that is largely upheld once you start touching surfaces, and the newly-facelifted model lifts that further thanks to a selection of new interior materials. The plastics feature pleasing textures, the chrome is less shiny and cheap-looking before and brushed metals now feature selectively around the cabin. The steering wheel in Dynamique Nav and Dynamique S Nav models is now trimmed in full-grain leather too, and it feels good in the hands. Better still, the gear lever - both in manual and EDC forms - feels much better in the hand.
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The seating position can feel quite precipitous in non-RS models, and while it is a larger car than before and five-door only, the rear space is by no means cavernous - there are cars in this category that could seat three adults in the back in more comfort than the Clio. Boot space is good, rising from 300- to 1146 litres with the rear seats folded down, but they don’t go totally flat.
The Clio has a five-star Euro-NCAP rating, while options such as a rear parking camera (£250), rear parking sensors (£215) and heated front seats (£250) are among the options available.
