The Renault Clio IV marked a true stylistic revolution for the diamond brand under the impetus of Laurens van den Acker. Only available as a 5-door (with hidden rear door handles) and as an estate (Estate), it dominated sales in France and Europe for years. While its road handling, design, and spaciousness were praised, Phase 1 (2012-2016) suffered from disappointing interior finish quality (hard plastics, imperfect assembly) and bugs in the R-Link multimedia system. The 2016 facelift (Phase 2) corrected most of these early flaws, offering more premium materials and better sound insulation.
The Renault Clio IV is an excellent versatile city car, provided you choose it well. You must absolutely avoid the 1.2 TCe 120 hp engine, whose design flaws can lead to engine failure. Prefer the excellent 0.9 TCe petrol or 1.5 dCi diesel. For a worry-free purchase, opt for a Phase 2 (after summer 2016): it corrects the finish flaws of the first version and offers a more reliable multimedia system.