Renault Clio V (2022-2025) Buyer’s Guide

The Renault Clio is no longer available new in South Africa. So, should you consider a used version of this 5th-gen French hatchback? Let’s investigate.

For those who appreciate a light hatchback, the list of “superminis” no longer available in South Africa is a dishearteningly long one. Household names like the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio and Nissan Micra have – almost unfathomably – been put out to pasture. And the Renault Clio V is the latest to join this local directory of dearly departed.

The final iteration of Clio to do duty in Mzansi was the pre-facelift version of the 5th-generation model, though it both arrived late and left early. Curiously, the refreshed take on this BJA-series hatch didn’t ever materialise for the local market, while Renault SA effectively ruled out the Clio VI that was revealed for Europe. And that, as they say, was that.

Sourced from Slovenia, the Clio V wasn’t nearly as popular in South Africa as its predecessor. In fact, while the 4th-gen hatchback attracted almost 35 000 sales locally, our calculations suggest its Mk5 successor could muster just 2 130 registrations (admittedly over a briefer period).

Its exit from the local market ended a run that started with the Clio II way back in 1999 (the 1st-gen model was never officially sold in SA). Still, while this storied nameplate’s 26-year lifecycle has wrapped up in Mzansi, there’s theoretically still a chance the Boulogne-Billancourt-based brand’s local distributor might one day relaunch the Clio name.

Renault Clio V model line-up in South Africa

The French automaker whipped the wraps off the Clio V at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2019. However, with the broader automotive industry – like most other manufacturing sectors – grinding to a halt once the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, South Africans were forced to wait. And then wait some more.

After more than 3 years, the BJA-series hatchback finally reached Mzansi, officially touching down in February 2022. At launch, the local range comprised a trio of derivatives, each employing a turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine to drive the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox: 

• Clio 1.0 Turbo Life 5MT (74 kW/160 Nm)
• Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen 5MT (74 kW/160 Nm)
• Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens 5MT (74 kW/160 Nm)

Renault SA offered the Clio V with a choice of 3 trim levels, while the flagship “Intens” grade was furthermore available with an option pack comprising a larger touchscreen, a reverse-view camera, front parking sensors and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

In April 2023, the facelifted Clio V was revealed overseas, but – despite being planned for a local introduction – this updated version ultimately didn’t make it to SA “because of the [unfavourable] currency rate”. Though the last time a new Clio was registered in the local new-vehicle market was in October 2024, Renault SA effectively confirmed this model’s demise only in September 2025.

What are the Renault Clio V’s strengths?

Much-improved cabin: While Renault made only evolutionary changes to the Clio V’s exterior design, that certainly wasn’t the case with the cabin. The French automaker not only rolled out fresh tech – including what it claimed was the “largest” (optional) infotainment screen in the class – but also markedly improved the fit and finish of the interior.

In the flagship Intens derivative, for instance, the interior door panels gained additional soft-touch inserts, with a similar treatment applied to the dashboard. Along with the mid-tier Zen variant, this derivative also gained a smattering of satin-chrome trim. Overall, the 5th-gen Clio’s cockpit looked and felt far more sophisticated than that of the comparatively cheap-and-cheerful Clio IV.

Large boot (for the segment): When the Mk5 Clio was revealed in 2019, Renault claimed the hatchback boasted a “best-in-class” luggage capacity of 391 litres. Equipped with a height-adjustable floor, the boot certainly was capacious for the segment, while dropping the 60:40-split rear bench flat freed up a handy 1 069 litres. The loading lip, however, was a little higher than before.

Thanks to remarkably clever packaging, the BJA-series Clio – which was the first model built on the CMF-B HS platform – managed to offer a larger luggage compartment than that of its predecessor, despite being 12 mm shorter. There was also still adequate space for rear passengers.

Striking exterior styling: Since the Clio IV’s sleek exterior styling proved an absolute hit with buyers, it was hardly surprising that Renault didn’t make wholesale changes to this winning design formula. The result was a somewhat more premium, “grown-up” take on a largely familiar silhouette.

Key design tweaks included a wider grille, a more pronounced front bumper and a more distinctively sculpted bonnet, while C-shaped LED daytime running lights were rolled out, too. In short, while this model was still immediately recognisable as a Clio, it was even more visually striking than its forebears. And it’s a design we’d argue has aged rather well.

What are the Renault Clio V’s weaknesses?

No automatic option: Strangely, Renault SA offered the Clio V exclusively in manual form, meaning potential buyers seeking a 2-pedal model were forced to look elsewhere. Although the French firm’s local distributor seemingly had plans to introduce the option of an automatic, this never materialised.

That said, the turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine – bearing the “HR10DET” designation and shared with Indian-built budget models like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite – delivered satisfactory performance in the lightweight Clio via its 5-speed manual cog-swapper (though a 6th forward ratio would have been handy on the highway).

It was a fairly frugal combination, too, with Renault SA claiming a combined fuel consumption of 5.7 L/100 km. For the record, while this generation didn’t include a Renault Sport hot-hatch derivative, some overseas markets received a 96 kW/240 Nm 1.3 TCe variant (with a 7-speed dual-clutch ‘box), as well as petrol-hybrid and turbodiesel powertrains.

Stingy service plan: Let’s not beat about the bush: Renault SA’s standard service plan for the Clio V was far too short. Considering the raft of big-on-value Chinese crossovers (each featuring an attractive aftersales package) and Indian-built contenders descending on South Africa at the time, the BJA-series Clio’s 2-year/30 000 km service plan simply wasn’t generous enough.

So, when shopping on the used market, keep in mind that only the first 2 services would have been covered by Renault South Africa. It’s thus particularly important you check for evidence that the required maintenance thereafter was indeed carried out.

Slightly firm ride: Renault made a clear effort to endow the Clio V with tighter body control than its predecessor. Still, this change in persona came with something of a compromise: a slightly firmer ride. This stiffness was most obvious in the range-topping derivative fitted with optional 17-inch alloys (an inch larger than standard and shod with low-profile tyres).

In the end, while the Mk5 Clio’s ride-and-handling balance was by no means a weakness, the French hatch wasn’t quite as supple as a Volkswagen Polo nor as dynamic as a Ford Fiesta. So, if you’re a shopper who ranks ride quality particularly high on your list of priorities, we’d suggest including a stretch of less-than-perfect tarmac on your test-drive route.

How much is a used Renault Clio in SA?

As mentioned, the Clio V shipped with only a 2-year/30 000 km, with intervals of 15 000 km. However, this model also featured Renault’s 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty, along with a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Take these details into consideration when browsing the used market.

Meanwhile, dealer-fitted accessories included items like a shark-fin antenna, Clio-branded door-sill protectors, a brushed-aluminium boot-sill protector, a swan-neck towbar and and even underbody courtesy lighting.

Of the used Renault Clio V listed on Cars.co.za at the time of writing, the mid-tier Zen trim level was the most prevalent, accounting for around 60% of stock. The range-topping Intens specification (29%) was next, with the entry-level Life grade making up the remaining 11%.

Interestingly, 2024 was easily the most popular model year, representing more than 65% of listed Clio V units at the time of writing (followed by 2022 on approximately 16%). Meanwhile, indicated mileage ranged from just 1 500 km to 92 000 km.

• Below R200 000: Around 15% of listed Clio V units were priced below R200 000. We found all 3 trim levels present in this space, along with all model years bar 2025. The highest indicated mileage in this category was 78 000 km.

• R200 000 to R250 000: A whopping 66% of listings fell into this narrow pricing bracket, including several examples with not even 25 000 km on their respective odometers. In fact, most units here had indicated mileages of well under 50 000 km.

• R250 000 and up: The final 19% of listings were priced on the far side of R250 000. We found only mid-spec and flagship derivatives here, with most examples from the final 2 model years. The priciest Clio V we unearthed was a low-mileage 2025 Intens unit listed for R329 900.

For context on the figures above, note the last pricing we saw for the Clio V before it quietly exited South Africa’s new-vehicle market was R312 999 for the Life, R327 999 for the Zen and R367 999 for the Intens.

Which Renault Clio derivative should I choose?

Considering the SA-spec Renault Clio V was available exclusively with a 1.0-litre turbopetrol motor and a 5-speed manual gearbox, no powertrain deliberations are required, with prospective buyers needing only to decide on the trim level.

Note the base Life grade missed out on curtain airbags, front foglamps, colour-coded exterior door handles and height adjustment for the driver’s seat, while also making do with a basic steering-wheel finish (rather than faux-leather) and lacking the satin-chrome interior trim of the other derivatives.

The mid-spec Zen specification – incidentally the most widespread on the used market – offered a decent mix of standard kit. This derivative furthermore featured a more premium fabric upholstery, though curiously (like the Life) did without electric windows at the rear.

Finally, the Intens variant was rather well equipped as standard, adding items like uprated LED headlamps, lane-departure warning, automatic climate control (rather than manual air con), rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free keycard, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging and a gloss-black exterior styling pack.

What are some alternatives to the Clio V?

In South Africa, the Clio V’s chief rival was the Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo (Mk6) hatchback, which positively dominated the segment. Another strong seller locally was the Indian-built Hyundai i20 (BI3 series), while the long-in-the-tooth 3rd-gen Mazda2 built up a modest but steady following.

Of course, a few other big-name B-segment hatchbacks left the local market close to or during the Clio V’s tenure. For instance, the 7th-gen Ford Fiesta and K14-series Nissan Micra both disappeared in 2022, while the YB-series Kia Rio officially exited Mzansi in 2024.

Other far slower-selling alternatives included the P21-series Peugeot 208 (which has since also been quietly axed in South Africa) and the P2J0-series Opel Corsa (which soldiers on locally). Buyers in this segment might also have considered the 4th-gen Honda Fit and perhaps even high-spec versions of the Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet, too.

Is the Renault Clio V a worthwhile used purchase?

Thanks to the small-crossover craze, South Africa’s new-car buyers today have far fewer B-segment hatchback options than in years gone by. Yes, this once-bustling category (which Chinese brands have thus far left largely untapped) is a shell of its former self.

To make matters worse, several contenders in this space – including some that have since departed and some that remain – have evolved from humble runabouts into genuinely upmarket hatchbacks, with the concomitant increase in pricing rendering them inaccessible to many would-be buyers.

Still, while the Slovenia-built Clio Mk5 undoubtedly offers a more premium experience than its forebears, its residual values have clearly taken a hit since the nameplate’s local discontinuation. As such, this model is back within reach of many shoppers, potentially offering very strong value.

With classy exterior styling, a much-improved cabin and a surprisingly sizeable luggage compartment, the Renault Clio V represents a compelling option for those still in the market for a European-built supermini. Considering the majority of modern-day buyers demand automatic transmissions, it’s just a pity only a manual gearbox was available locally.

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