Renault Clio SL S 1.2 TCE 100 CV, road test (part III)

In the first part of the road test we saw how the Renault Clio SL S equipped with the 1.2 TCE 100 CV engine performed, with performance that leaves no one indifferent. In the second part we saw the significant styling changes this distinctive model receives, along with some tweaks that set it apart from the rest of the range.

In this final part we turn to the equipment, price and our overall assessment of this Clio. As far as equipment goes, the Clio SL S is quite well equipped, sitting between the Expression and Exception trim levels.

Equipment

Standard safety equipment includes four airbags, seatbelts with pretensioners, front fog lights, plus ABS. However, to add electronic stability control you will have to pay just over 368 euros, whereas rivals such as the Ford Fiesta or the Seat Ibiza fit it as standard. Even so, the Clio is a safe car, earning five stars in the Euro NCAP test.

In terms of equipment overall, the SL S sits above the Expression trim and therefore comes as standard with air conditioning, 16-inch white alloy wheels, or a satellite-navigation-ready CD-MP3 radio with four speakers that picked up radio stations with good signal. For a city car, the speakers sounded quite good, and the radio is complemented by steering-wheel controls that are fairly intuitive to use. Although it has no USB socket, it does have an AUX input.

Also standard is the trip computer, which displays all the vehicle information on the instrument panel. However, the lack of electric adjustment for the wing mirrors is a shortcoming, since most rivals already fit it as standard.

Our test car was equipped with automatic climate control, a non-essential extra, and electronic stability control. The Renault Clio can be ordered without additional cost to the customer with a spare wheel instead of the puncture repair kit, a welcome detail given that spare wheels are increasingly being dropped.

Overall Assessment

This Renault Clio is a recommended car for those looking for an urban model with more refined styling, something different, and sportier performance. Moreover, the price gap between a Clio in Expression trim (the most common) and the SL S trim is not very large, and you get a more personalised vehicle.

This 100 CV turbocharged petrol engine is performance-oriented, although it comes with a rather high level of consumption. Petrol enthusiasts will enjoy the Clio’s agile handling thanks to its small dimensions and light weight. However, if economy is your priority, the 85 CV dCi diesel engine is recommended, standing out for very low consumption without any loss of performance.

In short, this is a model aimed at young buyers, with a generally correct finish and fairly complete equipment, except for the wing mirrors and ESP, which should be corrected.

Prices

The Renault Clio SL S equipped with the 1.2 TCE 100 CV engine starts at 13,760 euros; it is also available with the 85 CV dCi diesel engine for 14,610 euros. As for the rest of the Renault Clio range, according to data taken from the Renault website, a Clio is available from 10,910 euros as a three-door with the 75 CV 1.2 petrol engine.

On the other hand, as we mentioned earlier, the SL S has equipment very similar to the Clio Expression, which is available from 12,310 euros with the 75 CV petrol engine and three doors.

Finally, our test car had some additional extras, such as the climate control, the various exterior stickers, and ESP, bringing its final price to 14,792 euros. As always, for more information about the model’s prices, we recommend visiting an official dealership, as these prices may vary depending on current promotions.

Photos | David Taboada