Current crop of hot hatches - Anyone driven all of them?
Discussion
Talking about the Polo GTi + other VAG derivatives, the Clio RS 200 EDC, Peugeot 208 GTi, Fiesta ST, Mini Cooper S etc
Has anyone driven all or the majority of them enough to give a feel for which is the best?
I really like the look of the Clio, especially in that liquid yellow and on paper at least it sounds good. But all the main reviews cite it as a disappointment. Heavy feeling, odd engine note, DSG style gearbox which just isn't responsive enough, even in race mode.
The 208 looks like a telly tubby, but its praised for its very strong engine and nice interior and while it loses out in absolute handling, it makes up for it with the most refined ride. Other points include a silly steering wheel and daft binnacle placement which either means you sit very high like post man pats van or you steer with your crotch if you actually want to see the dials.
The Mini is credited with the best handling, the most eager turn in, though I feel its probably lacking in the other departments given its age. Its imminent replacement will surely bring it beyond par.
Everyone raves about the Fiesta though. Absolutely adored by the sounds of it. It doesn't have the ultimate handling of the mini, the fancy electronics of the RS nor quite the refinement of the 208. Its got the least power, its the slowest in a straight line, its got the weakest brakes and yet its the fastest round a track (perhaps not faster than the mini, but certainly the 208 and RS). A true "greater than the sum of its parts" car.
So has anyone here driven all or most and do they agree with what all the big mag reviews conclude?
Has anyone driven all or the majority of them enough to give a feel for which is the best?
I really like the look of the Clio, especially in that liquid yellow and on paper at least it sounds good. But all the main reviews cite it as a disappointment. Heavy feeling, odd engine note, DSG style gearbox which just isn't responsive enough, even in race mode.
The 208 looks like a telly tubby, but its praised for its very strong engine and nice interior and while it loses out in absolute handling, it makes up for it with the most refined ride. Other points include a silly steering wheel and daft binnacle placement which either means you sit very high like post man pats van or you steer with your crotch if you actually want to see the dials.
The Mini is credited with the best handling, the most eager turn in, though I feel its probably lacking in the other departments given its age. Its imminent replacement will surely bring it beyond par.
Everyone raves about the Fiesta though. Absolutely adored by the sounds of it. It doesn't have the ultimate handling of the mini, the fancy electronics of the RS nor quite the refinement of the 208. Its got the least power, its the slowest in a straight line, its got the weakest brakes and yet its the fastest round a track (perhaps not faster than the mini, but certainly the 208 and RS). A true "greater than the sum of its parts" car.
So has anyone here driven all or most and do they agree with what all the big mag reviews conclude?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff