2024 Renault Clio Gets Refreshed With New Looks Plus New Alpine Trim

Unveiled just a little over four years ago, the fifth generation Renault Clio sub-compact hatchback has undergone a mid-life refresh. The latest update sees this VW Polo rival sporting significant design changes with its front and rear fascias, and gaining a new Alpine trim option added into its variant line-up.

Note the new headlights, DRLs, wider front grille, and updated Renault logo treated in brushed chrome finishing.

Up front, the Clio gets a fully redesigned front end that feature slimmer headlights and a wider grille with a checkerboard pattern. The daytime running lights (DRLs) continue in the bumper, with their half upright rhombus shape stand as as a nod to the Renault logo, which is now finished in brushed chrome. 

At the rear, Renault is trying to make clear taillights a thing again. Besides that, there are six different diffuser designs available depending on trim level, or the model’s status as an electrified petrol-electric hybrid. Pictured here is the new flagship Esprit Alpine trimline that replaces the RS Line.

L-R: Renault seeks to make clear taillights fashionable again, where as new wheels go up to 17-inches in size.

Whilst on the exterior refresh still, this updated Clio also gets a choice of five different wheel designs with a diameter of up to 17-inches, all sporting the updated Renault badge treated in brushed aluminium. Shark fin antennae is exclusive to the Alpine and Techno trimlines, whilst a new tri-coat Rafal Gray hue brings colour choices total up to 7.

Basic dash design remains largely unchanged, though there are more sustainable materials used now.

New Alpine range-topping trimline variant gets sportier front seats with better lateral support.

On board, the cabin design remains largely unchanged, but there’s now richer use of sustainable materials made from organic and polyester fibres, called TEP. Opt for the Esprit Alpine and the Clio’s cabin gets primed with sportier front seats that offer better lateral support.

In terms of tech, the refreshed Clio gets a digital instrument display in 7- or 10-inch sizes depending on variant, followed by a 7- or 9.3-inch portrait-oriented centre infotainment touchscreen. The latter now offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and 360-degree parking monitor.

L-R: Key tech present include 7- and 10-inch digital instrumentation, as well as either a 7- or 9.3-inch potrait infotainment touchscreen.

Besides that, there are no less than 20 different driving aids and assistance systems primed on board too. Key highlights include adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, as well as a bevy of other features that enable Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

As for powertrain choices, there’s the Clio E-Tech Full Hybrid 145 that employs a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre 4-cyl with a pair of electric motors plus a 1.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, altogether rated at 145 HP. This package drives the Clio using a 2-speed/4-speed clutchless transmission, the former in full-EV mode and the later when the combustion engine is running.

Powertrain options include a petrol-electric hybrid, turbo 3-cyl running on CNG and, surprisingly, even a diesel.

Besides that comes a 3-cyl turbo that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG or LPG to us here in Malaysia) promising a maximum range of 1,000 KM. Surprisingly, there’s also a 1.5-litre Blue dCI 100 diesel option available rated at 100 HP and 260 NM, both managed by a 6-speed manual box.

The only choice absent here is a fully electric package, likely due to the Renault 5 EV’s upcoming entry, which will go on sale sometime next year alongside the Clio. Despite the model nameplate’s immense popularity over the year with over 16 million units sold, it remains highly unlikely at this point that we’ll see a fully-electric version of Renault’s best-seller just yet.