Renault Clio 2009

Funny how time creeps up on you. Not long ago, we were welcoming the new Clio into the world, marvelling at how improved it was and how it had set something of a bar for small cars; namely that they weren't that small anymore.

We all want our cars to be more comfortable and capable, but most of us can only afford something small. So stretching the wheelbase a bit here and raising the roof a little there brings more space, and more space usually means more room for refinement.

The new model gets a nose job that brings it neatly in line with the latest Mégane, and it's a healthy improvement too, giving it more personality than before. There are revised bumpers and lights at the rear too, although the change is more subtle. It's a big thumbs up, and the Clio remains one of the most handsome small cars on sale.

Inside, you're greeted with a pleasingly familiar layout. There are only a couple of detail changes in here; the steering-column stalks have been tweaked and the switch for the cruise control and speed limiter has been moved. Every model comes with a trip computer, electric front windows, height-adjustable steering, remote locking and four airbags.

The engine range is largely carried over, except for the notable addition of a 1.6-litre VVT petrol unit that slots in below the Renaultsport. But in the petrol corner the 1.2 TCe 100 is a really clever piece of kit. It gets a small turbocharger to boost efficiency and power output. By bumping up the power to 100bhp, it's virtually as quick as a 1.6-litre petrol and yet has better economy and lower emissions.

And when driven, it feels just like a bigger engine. It's not indecently rapid but more than sufficiently brisk for most people. It's also hard to believe it is turbocharged: rather than delivering an obvious surge of acceleration as you might expect, instead there's a linear rise of torque and power which makes it easy to drive frugally or quickly.

Small cars with small petrol engines make a lot of sense and the TCe unit and the Clio are a perfect match, striking a good balance between comfort and fun. Superminis tend to be worked hard and asked to do all manner of tasks, including trekking up the highway and being thrashed around a twisty road. But Clio 2009 copes with them all, and even though it's biased towards the former, young drivers won't be wishing their parents got them something else.

Specs

• Model: Clio
• Engine: 1.2-litre
• Transmission: Five-speed manual
• Max power: 100bhp
• Max torque: 145Nm
• Top speed: 183kph
• 0-100kph: 11.0secs
• Price: Dh77,500 (UK)
• Plus: Five-star safety and great value
• Minus: Not certain when it's coming to the UAE