The sixth generation of the French supermini will use an upgraded version of the Ampr Small platform and is expected to debut in 2026
- The Clio nameplate will reportedly live on for another generation.
- We expect the new model to be slightly larger than the R5 E-Tech Electric.
- It will offer the option between hybrid and electric, amidst the EV slowdown.
The all-new R5 E-Tech Electric might be the coolest member of Renault’s lineup but it is not intended to replace the similarly-sized Clio. Instead, a new sixth-generation Clio is reportedly under development, set to debut in 2026, and offering both hybrid and fully electric powertrain options, in line with Renault’s revised electrification plans.
The current fifth-gen Clio was introduced in 2019 with a facelift following in 2023. While the update is quite fresh, its successor could arrive in 2026, keeping the tradition of the seven-year lifecycle of the previous generations. In terms of market positioning, the new Clio could serve as an electrified hatchback for young families, bridging the gap between the R5 and the Megane in Renault’s lineup. More importantly, a hybrid option will keep it relevant amidst the global EV slowdown, until the world is ready to commit to zero-emission powertrains.
More: Here’s Everything We Know About The Rebooted Renault Twingo EV
Styling-wise, the new Clio will adopt the latest design language created by the new design boss Gilles Vidal and already applied to the Scenic E-Tech crossover and the Rafale coupe-SUV flagship. This will help it differentiate from the retro-flavored R5 and R4, as well as the nostalgic Twingo. Our speculative rendering infuses Scenic styling cues into a small hatchback while retaining a familiar footprint and supermini stance.
The existing Clio measures 4,053 mm (159.6 inches) long, which is slightly longer than the 3,920 mm (154.3 inches) of the electric-only R5. This difference might not be enough to place them in different segments, but allows them to occupy slightly different spots in the subcompact hatchback territory at a time when other automakers – like Ford – are abandoning it.
Illustration: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops
The next generation of the Clio will likely sit on an upgraded version of the existing CMF-B architecture. The Ampr Small platform (CMF-BEV) that underpins the fully electric R5 shares around 60 percent of its components with the CMF-B, meaning that a crossover between the two is possible. In this context, Autocar reports that the hybrid and fully electric versions of the Clio will have identical designs.
It is safe to assume that Renault will keep evolving the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains found in the existing Clio and Captur with the E-Tech badge. By 2026, the electrified setups could offer a longer zero-emission range while improving their fuel efficiency credentials.
The main rivals of the sixth-gen Clio will be the Peugeot 208 and the Opel Corsa. Both Stellantis superminis are already available in EV and hybrid options, unlike the upcoming VW ID.2 that will go down the EV-only road. It will also be Renault’s only ICE-powered hatchback since the future Twingo, the R5, and the Megane are only available in zero-emission guises.
We expect to learn more about the 2026 Renault Clio as we move closer to its debut. If the rumors are true, we should start seeing camouflaged prototypes of the new generation sometime next year.
Note: This story includes renderings that are not affiliated with nor endorsed by Renault.
