The petrol-powered Renault Clio has secured a three-and-a-half-star Green NCAP rating, giving dealers a credible environmental option for customers who are not ready or able to afford an electric car.
The 2026 Clio TCe 115 Techno achieved an overall sustainability score of 62% without hybrid assistance, placing it among the strongest combustion-only superminis assessed by the independent testing organisation.
Green NCAP said the result demonstrated how lower weight, efficient engineering and effective emissions controls could reduce the environmental impact of an affordable petrol car.
However, electric models continued to lead the whole-life assessment, with the Kia EV4 earning five stars and the Mazda 6e receiving four-and-a-half stars.
Efficient petrol still has a role
The Clio’s 1.2-tonne kerb weight helped it limit energy use in production and on the road, while its three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivered comparatively low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
It scored 6.8 out of 10 for Clean Air, 7.1 for Energy Efficiency and 4.9 for Greenhouse Gases. Green NCAP placed it alongside the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo as one of the more sustainable petrol-powered superminis.
The finding provides evidence that while an EV can offer a lower whole-life environmental impact, an efficiently engineered petrol car may still provide a meaningful improvement over heavier or less economical combustion models.
The rival non-hybrid MG3 achieved three stars and an overall score of 51%. Its relatively low weight and rear drum brakes helped its result, but higher fuel consumption and increased particle and carbon monoxide emissions during cold starts restricted its performance.
EVs retain sustainability lead
The models assessed in Green NCAP’s latest test achieved the following ratings:
- Kia EV4 Earth electric: 5 stars and 90%
- Mazda 6e 258 Takumi electric: 4.5 stars and 85%
- Renault Symbioz E-Tech full hybrid: 3.5 and 64%
- Renault Clio TCe 115 Techno petrol: 3.5 stars and 62%
- MG3 1.5 petrol: 3 stars and 51%
- Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI: 2.5 stars and 48%
- Kia K4 1.6 T-GDI: 2.5 stars and 46%
The Slovakia-built Kia EV4 recorded the strongest result. Its aerodynamic design, energy efficiency and ability to maintain real world range in cold conditions contributed to its 90% score.
The Mazda 6e achieved 85%. Green NCAP said its efficient powertrain and consistent energy consumption helped offset the environmental impact of manufacturing and transporting the China-built model.
The hybrid Renault Symbioz scored slightly higher than the petrol Clio at 64%, although its efficiency declined in cold weather and during motorway driving. Cabin heating also took up to 20 minutes to bring the footwell and rear passenger areas to 16°C in freezing conditions.
The diesel Volkswagen Tiguan controlled tailpipe pollutants effectively but was penalised for total lifecycle emissions of 246g CO2 equivalent per kilometre while the petrol Kia K4 recorded lifecycle emissions of 257g.
Dr Aleksandar Damyanov, technical manager at Green NCAP, said: “The Renault Clio TCe 115 Techno demonstrates that good engineering still has an important role to play in reducing the environmental impact of conventional cars. Its relatively low weight, efficient petrol engine and effective emissions control help it achieve a strong result without relying on hybridisation.
“While our latest assessments underline the sustainability advantages that well-designed electric vehicles can offer, the Renault Clio TCe 115 Techno shows that manufacturers can also make meaningful improvements to affordable combustion-engine cars that remain an important part of today’s market.”
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