Renault Clio 182 Review

The 182 completely changed my perspective. I always thought that hatchbacks (especially French) are not that good, it’s just a shrinked SUV on a sedan platform. French cars were overrated in my eyes then. I never had the chance to drive a Clio before because I lived in the USA, the land of the free, the place where you can’t even get a Renault. Any Renaults. When I first got this, I was quite disappointed. I went from a 540i to an S2000 and then this? I went from a RWD roadster sports car and then I drive a hatchback that is flimsy, plastic-y, and has an awful build quality? Yes, that’s true but, when I first drive it, however…I completely changed my mind. It is such a fun car. I dare to say that Miata is no longer the answer, it’s a Clio. Why did I get this car? I just moved to the UK and after I sold my S2000, I went looking for some cars. I found a Vauxhall Corsa C (which is something that I don’t like), a Ford KA, a BMW E46 318Ci, and a VW Golf. However, I then checked the insurance for them and then I just gave up. I then looked up a Clio, and then I found a 2005 Renault 182 with 92,xxx miles. That’s where my story began.

Ever since buying the car, some people at school looked at me like I’m a boy racer. The car looks very boy racer-ish and that’s true especially with the Trophy and the Cup version. The car is great when you drive it, it pulls quite good for a 10y/o hatchback. The engine? Absolute honey. A 2.0-liter which cranks out a very healthy 182 of power (without turbocharging) and 200Nm of torque, although both are high in the rev range. The car weighs only a bag of groceries over 1000 kilograms, so the power-to-weight ratio is on the right side. On B-roads it’s a very involving drive, the car’s low weight, stiff suspension and heavy steering make it great fun, at the edge it lets you know before you end up in the ditch. On the motorway its okay, a bit noisy and jiggly cruse control is handy, in all not its strongest point. In town it uses a lot fuel but is easy to park even with the poor the turning circle. If you enjoy driving you will like the low weight, small size and big engine combo.

Practicality, well, it’s actually pretty good. Parking it? Easy, small size means it will go in most spots but watch out for the low splitter on curbs. Its compact size and weight makes it easy to get around town and keeps fuel cost down compared with other performance hatches. It’s worth noting that it will do 40mpg as many reviews say but its unlikely you will, on average I get 32mpg at a mix spirited and town driving if you have a modified example expect less. The geometry and some of the components in the steering have been heavily revised to give sharper responses and the car can be placed with precision. Leather rim on the wheel helps the driver keep a grip on things.

Any drawbacks? Yes. If you’re a guy with special tastes for cars and you want everything perfect, this isn’t for you. Fake carbon fiber/aluminum trims everywhere, plastic door handles, and everything. You also have French powered windows and French powered wing mirrors which means that in 3 years, neither of those things will work. But on mine, they do!

Thanks for reading!