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.
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.
Peugeot 208 1.2 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-3, 12-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1199cc
Bore x stroke 75mm x 90.5mm
Compression Ratio 10:1
Max power 110bhp at 5500rpm
Max torque 205Nm at 1500rpm
Power to weight 100.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9.8 seconds
Top speed 190km/h
Consumption 22.2km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 104g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Energy Saver
Size 195/55 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4030mm
Width 1748mm
Height 1502mm
Wheelbase 2540mm
Kerb weight 1090kg
Turning circle 10.6m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $102,900 (after $10k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Zippiest drive, sportiest cockpit, roomiest backseat
– Highest price, gauges hardest to read, no rear reading lights
BEST IN PERFORMANCE
Ford Fiesta 1.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-3, 12-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 998cc
Bore x stroke 71.9mm x 81.9mm
Compression Ratio 10:1
Max power 100bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 170Nm at 1400-4000rpm
Power to weight 84.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 10.8 seconds
Top speed 180km/h
Consumption 20.4km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 114g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Drums
TYRES
Type Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
Size 195/50 R15
SAFETY
Airbags 5
Traction aids ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 3969mm
Width 1978mm
Height 1443mm
Wheelbase 2489mm
Kerb weight 1178kg
Turning circle 10.4m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $96,888 (after $10k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Most fun to drive, sharpest steering, keenest engine
– Least backseat space, least practical cabin, unintuitive infotainment
BEST IN HANDLING
Renault Clio 1.5 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbo-diesel
Capacity 1461cc
Bore x stroke 76mm x 80.5mm
Compression Ratio 15.6:1
Max power 90bhp at 4000rpm
Max torque 220Nm at 1750rpm
Power to weight 78.1bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 12.9 seconds
Top speed 176km/h
Consumption 28.6km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 92g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Drums
TYRES
Type Michelin Primacy 3
Size 205/45 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 4
Traction aids ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4063mm
Width 1945mm
Height 1448mm
Wheelbase 2589mm
Kerb weight 1153kg
Turning circle 11m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $112,999 (after $30k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/150,000km
+ Most fuel-efficient motor, punchiest at low revs, most commodious boot
– Least cultured engine, least logical cockpit, tightest rear headroom
BEST IN EFFICIENCY
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1197cc
Bore x stroke 71mm x 75.6mm
Compression Ratio 10.5:1
Max power 90bhp at 5400rpm
Max torque 160Nm at 1400-3500rpm
Power to weight 84.5bhp per tonne
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 10.8 seconds
Top speed 184km/h
Consumption 21.3km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 109g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Continental ContiPremiumContact 2
Size 185/60 R15
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 3972mm
Width 1682mm
Height 1453mm
Wheelbase 2470mm
Kerb weight 1065kg
Turning circle 10.6m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $100,400 (after $10k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Quickest gearbox with the most forward ratios, superb day-to-day practicality
– Average cargo capacity, fairly basic audio system, low-speed jerkiness
BEST IN QUALITY
