For this week’s #ChooseDay we set out to find out which baby hot hatchback you thought to be the most desirable in Mzansi. We gave you the choice between four cars including the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and the Peugeot 208. Responses came flooding in, which in itself is an indication of the popularity of baby hot hatchabacks in South Africa. After a few hours of counting up hundreds of votes, the most popular small hot hatchback was revealed, but the battle was fierce and hotly contested. Take a look at the results…
Popular Small Hatchbacks in South Africa
1. Volkswagen Polo GTI – 50% of the total votes
The Volkswagen Polo GTI’s popularity in South Africa is as clear as day and it recieved a whopping 50% of the total vote. The new Polo GTI was introduced earlier this year with a 1.8-litre turbo engine that develops 141 kW and 250 Nm of torque through a DSG transmission. Volkswagen recently introduced the Polo GTI with a 6-speed manual transmission which has allowed for an increase in torque to 320Nm. Performance for both derivatives has remained the same however, with a 0-100kph sprint time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 236kph. The Volkswagen Polo GTI with DSG will set you back R328 800 while the manual version will cost you R313 300.
VIDEO – Drag Race: New VW Polo GTI vs Ford Fiesta ST
2. Ford Fiesta ST – 32% of the total votes
The Ford Fiesta ST is much loved in South Africa and 32% of the total vote is testement to this love. Many readers voiced their opinions, saying that the Fiesta ST offers better handling and is a better package overall when compared to the Volkswagen Polo GTI. The Fiesta ST offers 131 kW and 240 Nm with an additional 50Nm overboost torque from its 1.6-litre turbo engine. The Fiesta St makes use of a 6-speed manual transmission to put those figures onto the tar. In terms of pricing, you can expect to pay no less than R276 900 for the Ford Fiesta ST.
Drag Race Video: Fiesta ST vs Polo GTI
3. Renault Clio RS – 15% of the total votes
The Renault Clio RS is significantly less popular, but still adored, with 15% of the total votes. The Renault Clio RS is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine that develops 147 kW and 240 Nm via a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There are currently two Clio RS models on offer including the RS 200 LUX and the RS 200 Cup. The Clio RS Lux is priced at R309 900 while the Clio RS 200 Cup is priced at R339 900.
4. Peugeot 208 GTI – 3% of the total votes
The Peugeot 208 GTI has limped home last on this list with only 3% of the total vote. The 208 GTI is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine that offers 147 kW and 275 Nm of torque using a 6-speed manual transmission. You can expect to pay R309 900 for the Peugeot 208 GTI.
