Now in its fifth-generation - which arrived with petrol and diesel engines last year - the Clio supermini has taken a turn upmarket with a fantastic new interior and sharp, premium looks.
It also sits on a new platform known as CMF-B ('Common Module Family for B-segment vehicles', if you want to know), which means the Clio is ready to accept an electrified powertrain for the first time.
Renault was one of the earliest manufacturers to jump into the EV market nearly a decade ago, with its commercial models and popular Zoe hatchback.
But despite having all this expertise with electric models, it's taken up until now to offer a hybrid.
Known as 'E-Tech', Renault says its new hybrid technology is inspired by the firm's experience in F1, and there's a huge amount of innovation going on underneath the surface, with 150 separate patents being filed for it.
It's being introduced to the Clio, Captur and Megane. On the Clio, it's a 'self-charging' set-up.
Rather than use an existing Renault engine and bolt on the electrical gubbins, Renault decided to start from scratch with the E-Tech.
So it uses a new naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery. It's then mated to a clever clutchless six-speed automatic gearbox.
In terms of performance, Renault claims it can reach 60mph in 9.7 seconds, though because of the torque produced from the electric motor, it feels quicker than the figure suggests.
But it's efficiency where the Clio E-Tech scores highly, as it will return a claimed 64.2mpg, with low CO2 emissions of 98g/km.
Out on the road, the additional pace from the electric motor - only one provides additional drive, the second acts as a starter and generator - is really noticeable and gives the Clio plenty of punch for overtaking and getting up to speed.
The E-Tech powertrain also feels much more effective than other 'regular' hybrids. It can travel at higher speeds while still in 'EV' mode, for example, and Renault says that plenty of urban driving can be done without having to use the engine.
The regenerative braking system is also one of the best around and is enhanced by sticking the gear shifter into 'B' mode. It means that you can drive the Clio for much of the time only using the accelerator pedal.
It's a great looking car, too. With cool wraparound LED lights at the front and rear, the Clio has a lot of presence on the road for such a small car, while a range of alloy wheels and the option of a sporty-looking R.S. Line grade means this is a very striking supermini.
The Clio E-Tech has a seriously well-implemented powertrain and is one of the best 'self-charging' hybrids to date - helped by brilliant efficiency, credible performance and a fantastic gearbox
Look close and you'll spot the discreet E-Tech badging, while an optional 'Hybrid Blue' pack brings subtle blue detailing to the interior and exterior. Generally speaking, this is a hybrid that's happy not to shout about its green credentials.
The quality throughout the new Clio's interior is excellent, while the layout and technology itself look like something you're more likely to see in something with a much more premium badge.
As with just about every hybrid, the space taken up by the battery has impacted practicality - the Clio losing its bragging rights of having the biggest boot in this segment.
It drops from 392-litres to 300, which might sound pretty major, but it's still a good size and a roomy shape.
It's a well equipped car, and the E-Tech drivetrain is offered with all the usual Clio trim grades.
An E-Tech in entry Play trim starts from £19,595, and opting for the hybrid hardware makes the car £700 more expensive than a Clio with the 128bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine. Looked at that way, it's a small premium to pay for such an efficient little car.
It might have taken Renault a number of years to venture into the world of hybrids, but with the Clio E-Tech, it was most certainly worth the wait.
This is a seriously well-implemented powertrain and one of the best 'self-charging' ones to date - helped by brilliant efficiency, credible performance and a fantastic gearbox.
With such little compromise for choosing hybrid over a standard - and already excellent - petrol version, this new electrified model becomes the pick of the Clio range.
