Added:
18 January 2021
The Renault Clio has been officially recognised as a great choice for newly qualified drivers after FirstCar named the supermini as its ‘New Car of the Year’ in its 2021 awards.
FirstCar, an authoritative voice in the new driver market for over a decade, named the Clio its new car champion after its editorial team were impressed by the stylish hatchback’s unrivalled package of affordability, safety and technology.
While FirstCar’s key judging criteria centred around safety and low running costs, cars that were considered for the coveted award were also rated for infotainment, practicality, and ease of driving. To win the ‘New Car of the Year’ accolade in the annual awards, a car must be safe, affordable to insure, and a first car any new driver would be proud to own.
Speaking on FirstCar’s decision to award the latest-generation Clio, David Motton, Editor, said: “The Renault Clio sets a new benchmark for small cars. It's exceptionally safe, as shown by its five-star rating from the safety experts at Euro NCAP. We're also really pleased to see that you don't need to buy a high-spec model to benefit from the latest driver aids – every version of the Clio comes with active emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection as standard.
For a new car that's packed with the latest tech the Clio is affordable to buy and run, too. Insurance groups start from group 3, which goes a long way to making insurance affordable for a newly qualified driver."
Reflecting on the latest award win for the Clio, Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, commented: “We’re immensely pleased to accept this award and it’s an excellent illustration of how the Clio is literally the perfect vehicle for drivers who are excitedly setting out on their motoring journey. For over 30 years the Clio has been at the forefront of supermini design and the latest generation epitomises how the model delivers a drive that is as safe as it is engaging, while also providing owners with optimum value and advanced features that are not often found in its sector.”
FirstCar is a leader in the provision of road safety education and delivers resources, expertise and practical support to over 100 authorities and organisations across the UK. Its annual awards celebrate the best cars, products and services for new drivers, with awards across eight categories.
Since its introduction in 1990 the Clio has been a firm favourite with first-time drivers. Launched in 2019, the latest generation version continues the model’s appeal to those who are new to the road. It combines evolutionary exterior design, plus features that are usually reserved for larger and more expensive cars, with competitive running costs and a host of safety features designed to protect drivers and other road users.
A highlight of the Clio is its revolutionary interior, with its premium materials and optional latest technology including a 9.3-inch EASY LINK touchscreen and crisp TFT Driver Information Display which is certain to appeal to younger drivers. Standard safety features include Hill Start Assist, Active Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Renault Automatic Emergency Assist.
Clio is available in five different trim levels – Play, Iconic, S Edition, R.S. Line and E-TECH Launch Edition. The line-up of efficient engine choices includes the recently introduced E-TECH powertrain, which introduces hybrid power to the Renault range for the first time.
The Clio is priced from £15,895 on-the-road.
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