Which of these four turbocharged superminis offers the sweetest combination of performance and practicality?
PEUGEOT 208 1.2 versus FORD FIESTA 1.0 versus RENAULT CLIO 1.5 versus VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2
Superminis are great city cars because they are highly manoeuvrable and efficient. They’re also fun to drive if equipped with perky powertrains.
Aiming to perk up petrolheads is the facelifted Peugeot 208, which now has a petrol engine and conventional automatic gearbox.
It promises more driving thrills than its predecessor, which has a turbo-diesel engine paired to a robotised manual transmission.
Eager to demonstrate the delights of its turbo-diesel drivetrain is the Renault Clio. It’s also the largest hatchback here, so it has the potential to be roomier than the rest of this foursome.
The Ford Fiesta is the smallest hatchback with the smallest motor in this story, but it nevertheless wants to be a big player in Singapore’s supermini segment.
One of the major players in the same segment is the Volkswagen Polo. While not as stylish as its three rivals, it is known for its snappy drivetrain and well- packaged interior.
Which of these superminis is the zippiest and most practical? Read on to find out.
PEUGEOT 208 1.2
Most Energetic Acceleration
ENGINE: Peugeot’s turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder with 110bhp and 205Nm sounds the rortiest of the bunch.
208’s automatic 6-speeder is the most seamless.
COCKPIT
Sportiest cockpit of the group features faux carbon fibre trimmings and the raciest steering wheel, which is also the nicest to hold. Peugeot’s infotainment system is the most intuitive, too.
FORD FIESTA 1.0
Most Responsive Drivetrain
ENGINE: Ford’s turbocharged 1-litre 3-cylinder with 100bhp and 170Nm is the most willing performer.
Fiesta’s 6-speeder is the smoothest of the three dual-clutch gearboxes, but its manual override is the least natural.
COCKPIT
Surprisingly shiok during long drives, as it has the most supportive seats and most optimal driving position. And the helm is the most precise. But the shallow storage points make it less functional than the other cockpits.
RENAULT CLIO 1.5
Most Efficient Engine
ENGINE: Renault’s 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel with 90bhp and 220Nm has the punchiest low-end energy and the highest fuel efficiency.
Clio’s 6-speed dual-clutch feels as quick as the Polo’s 7-speeder.
COCKPIT
The plushest seats, and also the only car with keyless entry/ignition. But the dashboard’s layout, with buttons “hidden” behind the steering wheel, is the least driver-friendly.
VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2
Most Refined Performance
ENGINE: Volkswagen’s turbocharged 1.2-litre 4-cylinder with 90bhp and 160Nm boasts the best refinement.
Polo’s 7-speed dual-clutch is the group’s quickest transmission, but its “creeping” in D could be smoother.
COCKPIT
The “biggest-car” cockpit here also has the biggest stowage areas, and it comes with a sunroof as standard. But the lack of USB ports isn’t music to the ears of MP3 listeners.
PEUGEOT 208 1.2
BACKSEAT: Most spacious backseat with the longest legroom easily accommodates occupants up to 1.75m tall, but there’s no ceiling lighting to make ingress/egress easier in the dark.
BOOT: Pug’s 285-litre boot is the only one with a fullsized spare tyre underneath, offering drivers added security when driving up north.
FORD FIESTA 1.0
BACKSEAT: With the shortest backrests, which are equally short on legroom, only petite passengers will be feeling festive in the Fiesta. And there are no doorbins to hold their things.
BOOT: Fiesta’s 281-litre boot is ideal for loose items, as it off ers two separate storage compartments, plus a pair of Velcro and elastic straps.
RENAULT CLIO 1.5
BACKSEAT: Happily fits three pairs of adult feet, thanks to the minimal floor protrusion, but headroom is tight for anyone taller than 1.75m. Like the 208, there are no lights overhead.
BOOT: Clio’s roomy 300-litre boot does without a spare tyre, thus giving it a lower floor that’s good at swallowing bulky goods.
VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2
BACKSEAT: Rear cabin feels as narrow as the Ford’s and is better for two instead of three adults, but the seat cushions are the cushiest. The cupholder is usefully deeper than the Clio’s.
BOOT: Polo’s 280-litre boot is the most flexible as its floorboard is the only one that can be raised/lowered to increase/decrease the underfloor storage volume.
Last Word
The Ford Fiesta is an absolute hoot to drive. Its turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is zestier than the Peugeot 208’s, while its well-tuned suspension makes it a joy around bends. The Fiesta’s only missteps, really, are its small cabin and befuddling infotainment system.
Confusing, too, is the Renault Clio’s cockpit ergonomics. But the vehicle is crystal-clear about its driving efficiency, with the torquey and economical turbo-diesel drivetrain making the French supermini really super in the city.
The Volkswagen Polo doesn’t have the chic style of its three rivals, but its core competencies, which include a practical cabin, versatile boot and perky performance, are sure to interest supermini enthusiasts. And the fact that it has the lowest selling price (despite its OMV being similar to the others’) enhances its value proposition.
Making an even stronger case for itself is the Peugeot 208. It costs a little more than the rest, but justifies the extra expense with the roomiest backseat and loveliest drive. Its attractive styling doesn’t hurt either.
“The 208 is the sportiest, the Fiesta is the nimblest, the Clio is the most frugal, while the Polo is the most comfortable.”
