Despite the crossover craze, small cars are still very relevant in Europe and there are plenty of superminis to choose from. Yes, the list will get even shorter in 2023 with the shocking death of the Ford Fiesta, but there are still plenty of subcompact hatchbacks to buy, including the Renault Clio. A mid-cycle facelift for the B-segment model is in the works and will be out next summer. This is how we think it will look.
Being just a facelift rather than moving on to the next generation, the Clio won’t be radically different. We expected slimmer but wider headlamps with standard LEDs and a slightly sportier front fascia. Our speculative digital exercise depicts the RS Line at the top of the range as the full-fat RS hot hatch sadly isn’t coming back. In fact, France is discontinuing the Renaultsport badge along with the last Megane RS which is also due in 2023.
The biggest piece of the puzzle about the 2023 Clio is whether the diamond-branded company intends to give it a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The mechanically linked Capture is offered with a PHEV setup, but the crossover is much longer. It remains to be seen if any packaging hurdles prevent Renault from giving its small hatchback a charging port.
Some automakers have criticized the upcoming Euro 7 regulations on the grounds that it could kill many small cars. Updating A and B segment vehicles to comply with stricter laws would make these models too expensive. The writing has been on the wall for ICE-powered vehicles since Renault promised to go pure electric in Europe by the end of the decade.
The facelifted Clio will also serve as the basis for the revamped Mitsubishi Colt arriving on the Old Continent to reflect the relationship between the Captur and the ASX. Furthermore, Renault will introduce the sixth-generation Clio in 2026 and will still have the combustion engine until the announced 2030 deadline.
