Renault Clio vs Hyundai i20 vs Peugeot 208:Which has the lowest running costs?

Let's compare the running costs of Renault's entry-level Clio with two key competitors to determine which will be the lightest on your wallet!

Sean Nurse

19 May 2023 · 11:53Buying a Car

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Renault's Clio line-up consists of three derivatives, with the Life specification being the most attainable at just over R300 000. Today we will compare the base model Clio with two similarly priced rivals, namely the Hyundai i20 and the Peugeot 208. All three models feature petrol engines and manual gearboxes. The question today is, which has the lowest running costs?

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The figures

	Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Life	Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion	Peugeot 1.2 Active
Engine size	3-cyl, 1.0-litre turbo petrol	4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol	3-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol
Power/Torque	74 kW/160 Nm	61 kW/115 Nm	55 kW/118 Nm
Gearbox	5-speed manual	5-speed manual	5-speed manual
Seats	5	5	5
Airbags	4	2	6
Kerb weight	983kg	950kg	1 021kg
Boot capacity	391-1 069-litres	311-litres	311-1 106litres
Fuel capacity	42-litres	37-litres	44-litres
Claimed consumption*	5.7 L/100 km	5.9 L/100 km	5.8 L/100 km
Service plan	2-yr/30 000km	4-yr /60 000km	3-yr/60 000km
Price	R312 999	R311 900	R329 900

*Claimed fuel consumption

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models that we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective, with petrol engines and manual gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 12%.

Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Life

With the instalment parameters in place, the Clio will work out at R5 692 per month over 72 month

Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion

With the instalment parameters, the i20 will work out at R5 672 per month over 72 months.

Peugeot 208 1.2 Active

With the instalment parameters in place, the 208 will work out at R5 999 monthly over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

Our contenders all feature petrol engines and 5-speed manual gearboxes, however, the Renault is the only turbocharged model, whereas both the Hyundai and Peugeot are naturally aspirated. From our experience, both the Hyundai and Peugeot models will be able to achieve their claimed fuel consumption figures, while the Renault consumes fuel at a rate closer to 7.0 L/100km. Looking at the kerb weights, engines and claimed figures, we feel that the Hyundai i20 will be the lightest on fuel in the real world.

Service plans

Our trio have service plans as standard, with the Clio having the least competitive plan at 2-years/30 000km, while the Hyundai and Peugeot get 60 000 plans with the former being valid for four years and the latter three.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, in the first five years of ownership, we are confident that the Hyundai i20 will have the lowest running costs among the three products assembled here.

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more