Comparison: Renault Clio vs Volkswagen Polo

Hatches sell like hot cakes in South Africa. Take a glance through the top sales figures of passenger cars and you’ll see what I mean. We’ve pitted the brand new VW Polo (2014) against an up and coming head-hunter in the form of the Renault Clio. The two rivals are still new offerings and as far as we’re concerned are your best choices if you’re looking for an affordable, modern and refined hatchback.

Looks Matter

The Renault Clio IV has shown that a stylish car can sell well, especially if you have a very vibrant colour palette for buyers to choose from. The Clio has got one over on the competition here, we have the mid-spec Expression model and it’s got all the smart add-ons that make it look the part. The blackened rear diffuser comes together nicely with the metallic side-sill inserts and the front grille. It looks sporty and very attractive for what is essentially an entry-level hatchback.

The Polo has continued with the time old Volkswagen tradition of chiselling away at the details and refining the design. There’s a slight redesign to the front bumper and the rear bumper has had a bit of a fiddle as well. As with any facelift the Polo also has a new set of wheels to differentiate it from its predecessor. It’s a slight tweak to the overall look, but it can’t match the Clio’s style and full-bodied design.

Pocket Power

Both of these hatches use modern turbocharged petrol engines. The Clio has a Formula One inspired three-cylinder turbo petrol and is all of 899cc. Despite its small size, it produces 66 kW along with with 135 Nm. Not bad if you’re in the city, stuck in traffic or just want something to shuttle to the shops. It works ideally in those situations as it’s built for fuel efficiency, Renault claims it will average 4.5L/100km and you can get close to that figure if you drive extremely diligently and merely breathe on the throttle pedal. Every day driving though is a bit different and the Clio feels a little on the slow side if you want to get somewhere quickly, also on the open road there’s not much in the way of overtaking ability from the puny three-pot.

Volkswagen has added a new turbocharged engine for the facelifted Polo. It hasn’t gone the three-cylinder route, but stuck with four and downsized capacity to 1.2-Litres. It produces an identical power figure of 66 kW, the torque though is higher at 160 Nm. That extra 25 Nm makes a big difference, it gives you the confidence to overtake quickly and spices up the whole driving experience. It feels more alert and more willing to get going around town and doesn’t make a fool of itself on the freeway. It comes at a slight cost to fuel economy as the Polo claims to average 4.8L/100km, but it’s worth it if you ask me.

Cabin Fever

The Clio has upped the ante in the small car market as far as interiors go, there’s so much standard kit and most of it accessible through the seven-inch ‘iPad’ style touchscreen. Everything from satellite navigation to cruise control, USB and Bluetooth compatibility is available. There’s not much missing from the Clio and that’s what makes it such an excellent value proposition. The materials used in the Clio aren’t bad either, mostly soft touch and there’s decent room for four passengers.

The Polo may not be able to match the Clio on standard spec, but you can always pay in a bit more for certain options if you want. You still get a touchscreen multimedia unit, but it feels more like a touchable head unit than a full-on touchpad system. The cabin does feel extremely well put together and solid, it’s no work of art styling-wise but it certainly isn’t ugly.

Drive Alive

Both cars are fun to put through the bends and offer decent thrills in the handling department. The Clio has a good chassis that corners accurately and the thick steering wheel provides good feel for what the wheels are doing. The smaller 16-inch wheels are a better option than the 17s as the ride is more comfortable over bumps and you’re less likely to ding a rim in a pothole.

The Polo is perhaps a little more fun though as it’s just that little bit quicker. It delivers more punch out of the corners and feels more athletic. The ride is adequately firm and there isn’t much in the way of body roll to deflate your enthusiasm.

Verdict

In the small hatchback segment, price has to be taken into account and though the Polo may have the better engine and feel a little more solid, it lacks the value for money the Clio offers. For nearly R20k less the Clio offers far more in the way of standard kit, an equally specced Polo can be around R30k more than the Clio.

If you’re looking for a bargain in this segment that offers great looks, excellent safety and all the interior goodies you can ask for, then the Clio is the best choice. If you can afford the extra R30k for a fully specced Polo then the added 25 Nm of torque is well worth it.

Comparison Specs: Renault Clio vs Volkswagen Polo

See a full specification comparison between the Renault Clio and the Volkswagen Polo here.