Is a Renault Clio a good first car?
Yes: the ordinary 0.9-1.2 petrol Clio in Play, Dynamique or Expression+ trim stays in group 3 to 9, and it's one of the few models on this site with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating rather than 4.
The numbers*
| Insurance group | Group 3 to 16, depending on engine and trim. Ordinary 0.9 to 1.2 petrol versions mostly sit in group 3 to 9. |
|---|---|
| Typical used price | £6,500 to £12,400 on the used market (most trims and years) |
| Road tax | £20 to £200 a year depending on registration date and engine, since the 2017 VED reform changed how it's calculated. Most post-2017 petrol Clios pay the current flat rate, around £190 to £200. |
| Fuel economy | 46 to 65 mpg combined on the low-group 0.9 to 1.2 petrol engines (official, combined cycle), most commonly in the mid-to-high 50s |
| Euro NCAP rating | 5 stars (Euro NCAP); adult protection 88-96%, child protection 89%, pedestrian protection 66-72% depending on generation |
Ins grp 4 Renault Clio Dynamique Nav 73
- Standard
- £1,836/yr
- Telematics
- £1,315/yr
Standard monthly £153/mo
Ins grp 10 Renault Clio Dynamique Nav Energy TCE S/S ECO 90
- Standard
- £1,959/yr
- Telematics
- £1,234/yr
Standard monthly £163/mo
Labels go by monthly insurance: Manageable up to £150, Getting pricey £151 to £200, Danger zone over £200.
Why parents like it
The Clio carries a 5-star Euro NCAP rating on every generation still commonly for sale, the strongest safety rating of any model covered on this site so far, and the ordinary petrol engines keep insurance in a manageable range.
Why new drivers like it
It's a genuinely well-finished small car to sit in, with better interior quality than several rivals at the same price, and it's common enough on the used market for real choice and negotiating room.
The catch
Group 4 to group 10 is a real, if modest, rise: about £123 a year more for the Energy TCE-badged trim. Not every quote in that range agrees, though: two other real Clio quotes at group 8 to 10 came in cheaper than the group-4 car above, so insurance group alone isn't a reliable guide here either. Real quotes stay under £2,000 a year across the ordinary range; the higher-group RS Line turbo and hybrid versions sit higher, so get an exact quote before choosing one.
Which version to look for
Look for the 0.9 to 1.2 petrol in Play, Dynamique or Expression+ trim, commonly 2013 to 2018 registration: it's the most plentiful version on the used market and sits in group 3 to 9. The Energy TCE-badged trims cross into double-digit groups. Still real value, but get an actual quote rather than assuming it matches the cheaper Dynamique Nav.
* Sources: First Car Scout vehicle listing and insurance-group data (August 2026).