PEUGEOT 208 1,2T ALLURE MT vs. RENAULT CLIO 1,0 TURBO INTENS vs. VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1,0 TSI LIFE & HONDA FIT 1,5 i-VTEC ELEGANCE CVT
It's been some time since we last ventured into the realm of group-testing a batch of small hatchbacks. Despite selling in vast volumes and accounting for much of the entry-level motoring market, the local small hatchback segment has seen few major developments in recent years. Maybe it's an upshot of the pandemic and all of the chaos that's come riding on its coattails. But the offshoot of those unsettled times - rising living costs and the tightening of financial belts in many households - means wallet-friendly motoring remains as important as ever. Thankfully, the past few months have revealed interesting movement in this segment. The fifth generation of the stalwart Volkswagen Polo has undergone a mid-cycle refresh. It's also been joined by all-new versions of stylish alternatives from France in the Renault Clio V and Peugeot 208.
So, we've pitted these comparable small hatches (all three-cylinder turbo-petrol manuals in a similar price bracket) against one another, while throwing another relative newcomer in the Honda Fit into the pack as a family-friendly alternative. So let's see what transpires in this small-hatch match...
The fashionable feline
PEUGEOT 208 1,2T ALLURE MT
Looks fantastic and performs strongly, but that driving position is a major drawback Gareth Dean
The best-looking car of the quartet, but ergonomics suggest Peugeot has tried a little too hard to be different Braam Peens
Bu hikaye CAR dergisinin June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye CAR dergisinin June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
