The Renault Clio IV marks a major stylistic break for the diamond brand, under the aegis of Laurens van den Acker. Launched in 2012, it abandons the 3-door body to focus on a 5-door with coupé-like styling (hidden rear door handles) and an estate (Estate). Positioning & Evolution: - Phase 1 (2012-2016): Seductive design but heavily criticized interior finish (hard plastics, light assembly) and imperfect sound insulation (wind noise). - Phase 2 (Facelift 2016-2019): Notable improvement in perceived quality (foamed materials), new Full LED headlights (C-Shape), and the arrival of the 1.5 dCi 110 hp. Diesel Focus (1.5 dCi - K9K): In this generation, the renowned 1.5 dCi block reached its full maturity. The serious injection pump problems (metal filings) of the 2000s are a thing of the past. I
The Renault Clio IV is an excellent used car choice if you target the right versions. In diesel (1.5 dCi), it's a real workhorse, extremely reliable and built to cover many kilometers. This is the engine to prioritize for high-mileage drivers. In petrol, the modest 1.2 16v and the valiant 0.9 TCe are recommendable. However, absolutely avoid the 1.2 TCe 120, a real ticking time bomb. Strongly favor a Phase 2 (after September 2016) to benefit from a decent interior and improved sound insulation. The manual gearbox is preferable to the EDC gearbox for maximum peace of mind.