Renault Clio hatchback (2013-2019) - Practicality & boot space

Now that the Renault Clio is sold only as a five-door hatchback, the pressure is on for it to deliver enough versatility to satisfy customers who before could choose between three different bodies, including a spacious estate.

Its styling certainly hasn’t suffered, as the rear door handles are hidden neatly in the window frames, so the Clio looks like a svelte three-door hatchback at first glance. Underneath, it actually sits on the same platform as the previous Clio, but it’s been lowered and widened to create more space inside.

Renault Clio interior space & storage

As with most superminis, front-seat space isn’t a problem in the Renault Clio. Access to the rear is easy thanks to the five-door layout, but there’s not a great deal of space available once you’re back there. The rear seat is mounted quite high, and when combined with the sloping roofline and small rear windows, it conspires to make the Clio feel cramped in the back.

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Adult passengers close to six feet tall will feel their heads brushing the roof, and putting three people alongside each other would be a very tight squeeze indeed. The VW Polo and Toyota Yaris are both better performers in this area – despite their smaller overall size.

There are plenty of storage spaces to be found in the cabin, with pockets in the doors and centre console, plus a handy slot for your sunglasses or phone in front of the gearstick. If you fill them all, though, you’ll be stuck, as there’s no space for any loose items in the tiny glovebox, which is barely big enough to fit the owner’s manual.

Boot space

The boot of the Renault Clio is one of the biggest in its class – a capacity of 300 litres allows it to carry more luggage than either the Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208. The backs of the rear seats split and fold in a 60:40 ratio and the tailgate is nice and wide, so loading wide or awkwardly shaped items is easy.

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Although those rear seat backs don’t lie totally flat once folded, a maximum carrying capacity of 1,146 litres should be just enough to cater for most small families. In fact, the Clio gives some larger hatchbacks like the Ford Focus a run for their money in terms of sheer boot space.

Towing

Despite its size, the Clio is a real lightweight, and some of the petrol models weigh in at just over a tonne. But if you really need it to, the Renault can still tow a 1,200kg trailer, no matter which engine or gearbox you've chosen.