Renault Clio Sport Tourer
Expert Rating:
Introduction
The concept of an estate based on a supermini may seem alien when carrying big loads is your requirement, but the Renault Clio Sport Tourer makes a very compelling case for mixing both disciplines. We get to grips with the little big Clio to see if delivers on delivering.
What are its rivals?
Supermini-based estates are, if you excuse the pun, small in number. The only direct rivals to the Renault Clio Sport Tourer are the Peugeot 207 SW and Skoda Fabia Estate. The Renault's compatriot Peugeot has a well screwed together cabin and drives every bit as well as its hatchback sister models. However, the 207 is quite pricey in estate form. Skoda's Fabia Estate offers plenty of load and passenger space, along with a sprightly drive. On the downside, the Skoda's engines are not as refined as we'd like. There is also the quirky MINI Clubman, which is great to drive but let down by its shortfall in practicality and high prices.
How does it drive?
To say the Clio Sport Tourer drives just like its hatchback sister models is a major compliment. It covers bump-strewn roads with easy suppleness and protects its occupants and cargo from any unnecessary intrusion from poor surfaces. There's also plenty of grip in corners and the Clio Sport Tourer delivers surprising agility for this type of car regardless of how many are on board.
The peppy 1.5-litre turbodiesel may make do with only 86bhp, but it also has 148lb.ft of low- and mid-rev chutzpah so it masks its lowly power output well. Acceleration is modest, but on the move this Clio has no problems pounding the motorway network while doubling as a pint-pot sized haulage truck. Even with a load of people and luggage on board, the Clio bounds along happily and the five-speed manual gearbox is light and precise to use. We also found the driving position to be spot on for different sizes of driver and there was more than sufficient space in the front and rear for heads, legs and shoulders. Our only gripe is with the thick rear pillars and small rear quarter windows, which make some reversing and lane-changing manoeuvres trickier than they are in the Skoda Fabia Estate.
What's impressive?
It may be small, but the Clio Sport Tourer is a perfectly formed little estate. The large hatch tailgate leaves a broad, deep opening to fit cases and cargo through, while the flat load floor suffers little intrusion from the suspension. This makes the Sport Tourer easy to load with hefty objects and helps when sliding them back out. The materials used for the boot also seem tough and up to the job of hard use. Folding the rear seats could be a little easier as the bases need to be flipped up before the seat backs fold down, but once this is completed it leaves a surprisingly long and spacious load floor that's more than up to the job of tackling an IKEA splurge.
What's not?
Some more adjustment in the driving position would be welcome for drivers who fall to the further reaches of the height scale. We found the steering wheel, which moves for angle but not reach, could cut off the top of the instruments for the loftier driver, while some shorter incumbents reckoned the driver's seat could offer more back support.
Should I buy one?
The Renault Clio Sport Tourer in 1.5 dCi Dynamique trim - as tested here - is well equipped, drives really well and delivers combined average economy of 64.2mpg. On top of this, it's cheaper than its rival from Peugeot and has carbon dioxide emissions of just 117g/km to qualify for low-rate road tax. Bear in mind its capable load hauling ability and the Clio Sport Tourer is the current pick of the supermini estate pack.
