2001 Renault Clio 1.2 Authentique review from UK and Ireland

- Rear Brakes Squeaking (grit in brake assy.)

- Occasional interior trim rattles.

Nice little car. Very good fuel economy and cheap to insure, but with sporty looks and plenty of kit. This is the bottom of the range, but comes with ABS, Brake Assist, Remote Locking, Intelligent Wipers, Electric Windows, Double Optic Headlamps and many other little bits and pieces.

The interior is well planned and laid out, but rear seat space is very poor for taller passengers. Also, there is a lot of hard plastic used, although it is sturdy and doesn't seem to be prone to marking easily. The top of the dashboard is soft-feel and adds a touch of quality. The instruments are clear and attractive and the colour scheme is very pleasant.

For a car with such a small engine, performance is very reasonable, once you are above 40mph. It is generally a smooth and refined powerplant, although it has a characteristic top-end rattle. It's not intrusive though. Handling is great, grip very good and the steering is nice. The gearbox is quite precise, though a little notchy.

The ride quality is very impressive, but road noise could be better supressed. The car generally feels very solid on the road.

An excellent car then, apart from slight niggles a great drive and well recommended.