• One of the safest small hatchbacks on sale
• LED lights a feature from 2016
• Lacks some newer safety features

The French marque has been at the forefront of mainstream car safety since the introduction of the Euro NCAP crash testing scheme and the fourth-generation Renault Clio continues this legacy with a full five-star rating.

Clios are well-equipped when it comes to safety-focused gear with all versions featuring hill start assist, traction control and emergency brake assist to exert additional stopping power when scrubbing off speed quickly.

Although there isn’t an autonomous emergency braking system, the Clio will alert the driver when cars ahead are braking heavily, while in the event of an accident the blow will be cushioned by six airbags and anti-whiplash head restraints.

You won’t find blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist either, but all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera are available across the range.

Since the 2016 facelift, all Clios feature LED day-running lights, while high-end models come with full LED head and tail lamps, the latter of which remain on while the car’s running, as on the larger Renault Megane.

How many Isofix car seats can I fit in a Renault Clio Hatchback

You can have just two, fitted to the outer rear chairs, because there’s no front seat mounting point option.

• One of the largest interiors in the segment
• 60:40 split rear seats across the range
• Useful stowage facilities in the cabin

Being one of the larger superminis on sale, practicality in terms of space is a Renault Clio strong point. Four adults can fit in comfortably – although five would be a game of mobile sardines – while at 300 litres the boot is one of the largest in the segment.

All Clios have a 60:40 split rear seat – although it doesn’t fold completely flat – that liberates up to 1,146 litres when lowered.

There are a number of useful storage cubbies dotted around the Clio’s cabin, although it doesn’t set any class standards for either the number of them or the volume of space within them, but you can conceal most of your in-car knick-knacks as well as slotting a 500ml bottle in each of the front doors.

Ideally suited to urban environments, the Clio is easy to manoeuvre and control and thanks to its small 10m turning circle, parking and getting around tight city streets is easy.