Renault is one of the oldest car brands in the world – it’s been building vehicles for almost 120 years, from cars to vans, off-roaders to racing cars, buses, coaches, and lorries.
Renault’s passenger car line-up in the UK is extensive and ranges from the tiny two-seat Twizy right up to the large and superbly practical Grand Scenic and Koleos. But which model is best for your needs?
The commuter
Most of Renault’s mid-sized models make use of one particular engine which is perfect for commuters – the 1.5 dCi. This 1.5-litre diesel unit is shared with other brands including Nissan, Infiniti and even Mercedes, and for good reason – it offers smooth performance and exceptional fuel economy.
When fitted to the Megane hatchback, drivers can expect up to 76.4mpg from this engine if they’re driving carefully. That will certainly bring fuel bills down.
The Megane also offers great motorway stability and good levels of comfort, making it ideal for those who cover lots of miles in a year.
The school run
Have lots of kids? Luckily for you, Renault offers two MPVs in its range – the Scenic and its larger sibling, the Grand Scenic. These offer five and seven seats respectively and, crucially for those with bulky child seats to accommodate, the middle bench is made of three separate seats allowing you to fit three children abreast.
They’re also supremely practical. The Scenic offers a class-leading boot space, while the Grand Scenic is even more capacious provided the rearmost row of seats are folded down.
Great visibility and striking looks mean that you’ll be able to see and be seen in equal measure – this car stands out on the school run, and not in the slightly dowdy way that most MPVs do.
The student
Renault’s smallest car is the Twizy, which might be too small even to suit a student. Luckily, the firm’s city car and supermini – the Twingo and the Clio – are both perfect for student life.
The Twingo is ideal for the style-conscious, with cute looks, a funky interior and a range of graphic and style packages. It’s also one of the smartest city cars on sale, with its innovative rear-engined layout allowing for lots of space for passengers and a truly tiny turning circle – great for city manoeuvrability.
The Clio is a more grown-up proposition, but it still stands out with a bold ‘family face’ and tricksy styling additions on the flanks making it look more slinky than it is. It’s also great to drive, whether you opt for basic petrol form or the fire-breathing R.S. model.
The petrolhead
Few names in motorsport are as well-renowned as Renaultsport. This performance-focused sub-brand is responsible not only for Renault’s passenger cars, but its exploits in Formula One too – giving it some serious heritage.
Its two current offerings are the Clio R.S. and the Megane R.S. – both brilliant hot hatchbacks combining great handling and powerful engines into packages that are easy to live with every day. If you’re after something really special, you could also check out the Alpine A110 – a historic name revived by Renault to create one of 2018’s most impressive new cars.
The executive
Sadly for the UK, Renault doesn’t sell its stunning Talisman saloon on these shores – it’s only available in left-hand drive markets. But don’t despair, if you need something that’s big and practical but will still stand out in the company car park, Renault offers the Koleos.
Based on the reliable and rugged underpinnings of the Nissan X-Trail, the Koleos offers a different alternative to premium German SUVs. It does so with a uniquely French combination of a sumptuous and quirky interior, striking looks and a well-cushioned ride.
