Renault Clio History
Renault's best-selling supermini — twice-crowned European Car of the Year, now in its sixth generation, and home to the hot Clio Williams and Clio RS.
Photo: “Renault Clio I RT in Specchiolla, Italy (1).jpg” by 2538O / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start with a make and model. Add a year where a detailed guide is available.
Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
Browse this model's history and yearsHistory
Launched in 1990 as the successor to the Renault 5 Supercinq, the Clio became one of Europe's best-loved superminis almost immediately, winning the European Car of the Year award in 1991. It is one of only two cars — alongside the Volkswagen Golf — to have won that award twice, also winning for 2006 (third generation).
The performance variants gave the Clio an outsized enthusiast reputation: the Clio Williams (1993–1995) used a 2.0-liter engine from the Renault Williams F1 car for homologation, and later Clio RS (Renault Sport) versions became benchmarks for the front-wheel-drive hot-hatch class.
By 2025 the Clio had sold approximately 17 million units across six generations, making it one of the best-selling European cars of all time. The sixth generation, introduced in 2025, offers hybrid and petrol powertrains.
Generations
First generation · Clio I
Photo: “Renault Clio I RT in Specchiolla, Italy (1).jpg” by 2538O / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The Car of the Year 1991 — an immediate hit that spawned the homologation Clio Williams (1993–1995).
1992 Photo: “1992 Renault Clio S.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1993 Photo: “1993-1998 Renault Clio Williams (31672447422).jpg” by Kieran White from Manchester, England / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1995 Photo: “1995 Renault Clio Williams 2.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1996 Photo: “1996 Renault Clio RL Oasis 1.2.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1998 Photo: “1998 Renault Clio Grande RN.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · Clio III
Photo: “2006 Renault Clio RS.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Car of the Year 2006; the Clio RS 197/200 of this era became a defining hot-hatch benchmark.
2010 Photo: “2010 Renault Clio RS Gordini Rear.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2011 Photo: “2011 Renault Clio RS (54134).jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Fifth generation · Clio V
Photo: “Renault Clio V (2023) Esprit Alpine 1X7A1517.jpg” by Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Sharper styling and a full hybrid E-Tech option — Renault's first full-hybrid in the supermini class.
2023 Photo: “Renault Clio V (2023) 1X7A1579.jpg” by Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2024 Photo: “2024 Renault Clio Evolution E-Tech HEV Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Sixth generation · Clio VI
A further evolution with revised hybrid drivetrains and updated technology; launched at the 2025 Geneva Motor Show.
Body styles
- Hatchback
- Estate
Notable special editions & performance variants
Clio Williams
A homologation special using a 2.0-liter engine (150 hp), named for Renault's Formula 1 partner Williams — only about 12,100 built across three series.
Clio RS (Renault Sport)
The long-running performance sub-brand version, spanning the Clio II–IV; the RS 200 and Cup variants were class-benchmark hot hatches.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Renault Clio
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.