It was the Clio RS that stopped people in their tracks. Which was a surprise. In the cold light of day, the five-door, pencil-sharpened hatch looks a bit strange, oddly unadorned; but at night, city-lit from above in a pool of orange sodium, the Renault looks steely, chiselled, clean and crisp, wide and low, its headlights glinting.
Ipoh’s nightlife stopped with unexpected regularity, and looked, pointed, and said ooh and ah, look-at-that-what-is-it?
Meanwhile, the Ford Fiesta ST, in a lighter shade of red – probably one of the greatest, most satisfying, most perfectly balanced and tuned driver’s cars to be built this decade, if not this century – was ignored. Maybe they couldn’t see that it was an ST. Maybe they didn’t care. Maybe it doesn’t matter.
No, sorry, I’m going to have to stop you there. It matters.
The same goes for the Peugeot 208 GTi. This 200 hp pocket-rocket could roll along through a crowded street without anyone batting an eyelid. Its squat stance, chrome-rich grille and arch-extensions wouldn’t register with passers by, just like the Fiesta ST’s model-specific three-door body was largely ignored.
Looks account for a lot, then. That’s a given now, and it’s the Renault that comes out on top. But that’s just on visual appeal alone, and we all know there’s so much more to this trio than meets the eye.
Knowing what these hot hatches are (if you’re reading this, I’d assume that you do), you would, wouldn’t you? As more and more people are satisfying their long-held automotive ambitions, this is where a lot of the car enthusiasts like you and I end up: the practical end of the indulgence car market.
Desirable yet thoroughly common sense. Plenty of speed and thrills, yet with everyday usability still intact. I ask again: you would, wouldn’t you? But which one’s best? The whole paultan.org crew decides.
Compared to their base models, they have each been modified, tweaked and tucked to different extents. This market segment doesn’t stand still, where the interested money tends to flow to the latest and newest. Hence, small hot hatches have grown prettier and ever faster through the years.
And predictably enough, they all come in red. Different shades, but red nonetheless. Seems to go with the territory these days, certainly if you’re looking for a sporty-minded hatchback. We took them to the twisty, mercilessly crested roads of Federal Route 1 to find out how much substance lies beneath the marketing promises.
Which brings us to the introductions. Firstly, the Ford Fiesta ST. The smaller sibling to the Focus ST, it finally adorns the keen-handling Fiesta the head-snapping performance it craved for from the start. It’s priced at a middling RM145,842 (OTR without insurance), making it more than 55% dearer than the Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost. How can it command such a premium, then?
Obviously, 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque (with 290 Nm available on time-limited overboost) from its turbocharged 1.6 litre engine blows the three pot’s 125 hp and 170 Nm away, while a six-speed manual transmission is installed in place of a dual-clutch auto’box. Zero to 100 km/h is down from 9.4 to 6.9 seconds, paired to a deftly tuned chassis to match. This is the Fiesta we’ve all been waiting for.
Next, the Peugeot 208 GTi. Since newer, flashier rivals arrived on the local market, the Pug has been rather overlooked. Don’t. It’s still the cheapest of them all at RM136,116, and its timeless PSA 1.6 litre engine makes 200 hp and 275 Nm of torque, controlled through an honest-to-God six-speed manual gearbox. It’s more than brisk too, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.8 seconds.
Compared to its timid base model (120 hp/160 Nm, four-speed auto, 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds), the GTi’s 45% mark-up over the 1.6 VTi seems more than fair. The performance difference here is far larger than in the Fiestas. It’s just a pity, then, that it takes a trained eye to spot a fast 208 next to a standard one – more so than with the Ford.
Which saves the most distinctive of all last: the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC. A lot of factors make this one unique over the other two. It’s the only one here without a base model (not here, at least), so Malaysians will only know the Clio in this form, and this form alone. No mistaking it for lesser variants, then, which is good as it’s priced at a rather heady RM168,270.
Other than having five doors, the Renault is also the only one here to swap a clutch pedal for steering-mounted shift paddles. That’s right, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission is forced on you in the Clio, which is not very RenaultSport now, is it? To be fair, it’s the fastest of the bunch, with its 200 hp/240 Nm, Nissan-sourced 1.6 litre turbo getting it to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The most superficial question first: which looks best? Malaysia is not a market that tolerates ugly cars. Ask anyone of their buying influences, and most would put style as the most important factor. Yes, even in an enthusiast-driven class such as this.
As established at the start, the Clio RS is the top dog in this aspect, at least to the onlookers. It’s by far the most original design here with a bold nose, ultra sexy curves over the rear wheelarches and of course, twin tailpipes with a serious-looking diffuser round the back. Yet, it’s not without faults.
The six of us (Danny Tan, Anthony Lim, Jonathan James Tan, Jonathan Lee, Gregory Sze and yours truly) all felt that the Clio’s face is a bit too bulbous for its own good. “It wouldn’t look out of place on the Espace MPV,” we agreed. That, paired with fussy details (F1-style front “wing”, hidden handles on long rear doors) meant that Greg alone chose it as his personal favourite.
Add to that the lack of red-painted brake calipers – a definite faux pas in Anthony’s books – and the rest of us were split between the Ford and Peugeot.
The 208 GTi’s looks still divide opinion. Danny, for instance, couldn’t stand the way the front end is shaped, while others baulked at the fact that it looks too similar to its lesser models. Its only distinguishing features are its unique headlights, chequered-flag grille, two-tone wheels, rear bumper insert, bigger top spoiler and GTi badges – no bespoke bumpers here. And that’s not enough when you’re asked to pay so much more.
Still, Jonathan James Tan and I both thought the Peugeot to be the most handsome car here. It may not look as outwardly sporty as the Ford, or as aggressive as the Renault, yet the 208 GTi looked to be the classiest choice by quite a margin. It’s the only one here without an OTT factor that would get the taste police taking a turn around the block.
The Clio has its huge face, while the Ford has its polarising windowline, which, alone, was enough for me to look elsewhere. That aside, the Fiesta ST received the most votes here as Danny, Anthony and Jonathan Lee favoured it over the rest.
Its snake-like intake, sharp skirtings and body-coloured diffuser address its sporty intentions well. Add to that the fundamental attractiveness the Fiesta’s shell and Ford has itself a winner in the looks stakes. One caveat though: get it in blue and you’ll have a blue diffuser. Now that’ll have the taste police all over your back.
Inside, it’s a different story altogether. Despite its brash exterior, the Fiesta ST feels like a rather dull space to spend time in. You’re clamped tightly by oversized Recaro seats, but the colours are gloomy – it’s all back and grey in here – and the impression of long-term durability isn’t high (the flimsy manual air-con controls – familiar from the standard pre-facelift Fiesta – being the biggest offender).
The ST-specific add-ons are limited to the aforementioned seats, thicker-rimmed steering wheel (which looks no different to a regular Fiesta’s), alloy pedals, manual shifter, and a set of overstyled, hard-to-read instrument dials. It’s worth noting too that the top Fiesta loses out on the standard variants’ piano black trim and automatic climate control system.
In contrast, the Peugeot’s passenger accommodation is excellent. The interior imbibes a sense of quality, with a well-constructed dashboard of good-grain plastics and quality leather inserts. It’s the only car here that can claim to have a “premium” feel to it.
Next to the Ford’s sombre cabin, there’s a lot of red in the 208 GTi – a bit too much around the air-con vents and door handles, to be honest, not to mention the naff 12 o’clock strip on the small steering wheel. Unfortunately, it goes without a keyless entry and start system, which is a glaring omission in this class.
The Renault, meanwhile, has a real extrovert interior that rather overwhelms the nicer detail touches such as the chrome bezelled dials and classy RenaultSport highlights. Overall build quality, too, falls short of the standards set by the Peugeot and Ford (which, in ST form is built in Germany, and has soft-touch dashboard materials).
On a more positive note, the RS Monitor 2.0 is a well thought out gimmick that offers a lot of information for driving enthusiasts, though admittedly most of them are not of any use to anyone. The seats, as unassuming as they look, offers good support and are mightily comfortable, shaded only by the 208 GTi’s terrific leather/fabric thrones.
In terms of day-to-day practicality, none of these cars is going to out-do a Perodua Myvi. All of them have cramped rear quarters, and the Clio’s extra doors only aid access, with no space benefit whatsoever. But even so, there are degrees of badness.
Faring the worst here is the Fiesta ST. Access to the rear is the poorest, no thanks to its bulky front Recaros. And once in, rear occupants get no grab handles, and can only look out through tiny windows. You can blame the steep rising windowline for the latter. So if you have, or are planning to have kids, give the ST a miss.
Next up is the Clio. Yes, it has five doors, so access to the rear seats is a lot simpler, not requiring front passengers to get out first. But yet, it offers less legroom than the Ford, and the rear bench itself gives little to no support.
Surprise, surprise, it’s the three-door 208 GTi that has the most hospitable rear quarters. Its relatively small front seats are easier to manoeuvre through, and inside, you get nice grab bars on each side. Better yet, the centre tunnel intrusion is much smaller than it is in the Ford, plus the added visibility through bigger side windows and panoramic glass roof make it the clear winner here.
Posing over, it’s the driving that really split the pack. The Peugeot appears initially enthusiastic thanks to its lovely engine. The familiar PSA lump – here in THP200 form – allows the GTi to do everything from purr to growl (silently), with plenty of smooth, glutinous torque on tap, regardless of the revs.
On paper, all three cars’ 0-100km/h times are rated within 0.2 seconds of each other, but they couldn’t feel any more different on the road. The Pug’s big torque advantage (275 Nm vs 240 Nm) is apparent throughout the entire rev range, as it pulls away more cleanly in higher gears, without screaming for a downshift or in the Ford’s case, maybe two.
Keep the cars off the boil, and the 208 GTi will (quite literally) comfortably outpace its rivals. Pushed harder however, and it suffers slightly. Its engine becomes breathless about a grand under the 6,000 rpm red line, and the gloopily damped gearshift also radiates slightly ponderous vibes.
Not so the Fiesta ST, whose straight line speed deficit couldn’t be felt by anything other than a stopwatch. The EcoBoost engine is superbly smooth, though not exactly tractable from low speeds. Its clutch uptake is far sharper than the GTi’s, and it demands more from the driver to really show its full potential.
The controls are those of a sports car: accurate and proportional, challenging you to slot everything together smoothly. The position of the gear lever in relation to the steering wheel – a tad too low and far away from the wheel than is ideal – however, interrupts the flow slightly.
At all speeds, the ST’s eminent noise makes itself heard. Its snarly mid-range and big-cube exhaust note is an acquired taste, to say the least. I for one, found it much too loud when pootling around, though Anthony and Jonathan Lee – both strong advocates of the ST – disagreed. To each their own.
The mechanically-offbeat Clio RS 200 is often criticised for the lack of passion and driver involvement with its flappy paddles setup. It’s undoubtedly effective – it is the quickest here, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Performance is rapid, though not quite as frantic as the Fiesta ST at full pelt, but the choice of gearbox is controversial.
It is more accessible than the other two here, but at the expense of both tactility and involvement. Fast as it may be, the action of just planting your foot down and seeing the world pass by will never be as engaging as being part of the process, i.e. dipping the clutch at the peak of revs, slotting in the next gear, etc. The Renault is quick, but nothing more, and nothing less.
From here on out, the Clio RS is already fighting relegation; its title tilt derailed as soon as it started.
And it’s not due to a lack of commitment from the chassis, that’s for sure. Dynamically, the Renault is technically superb. Ride quality is good, not getting rid of dips and dives but flattening them to give a stable deck from which to aim. Mid-corner crests and pips fail to fluster the Clio RS, which stays clean and clinical through and through.
Given an empty stretch or better yet, a track, there’s little doubt at all that the Renault would categorically murder its two rivals here. But one would argue that a hot hatch is all about purity. And the Clio RS isn’t quite pure enough.
As you’d imagine, this is the Ford’s section of the test, and it steps up enthusiastically. Despite being down on power compared to the rest, the Fiesta ST feels ruthlessly quick on the road.
It demands to be kept boiling, but when it is, the accelerative pressure that feels and sound like it has been building suddenly pops like a cork from a bottle, releasing a spine-tingling growl and a burst of new speed right to the red line. The satisfaction is very similar to enjoying an old-fashioned VTEC engine – you have to work it hard, but the work adds to the effect.
Where it really scores over the rest is in its steering response. It can bite a big chunk out of a corner the moment you turn the wheel with such alacrity and poise, giving it a kind of instant swivel-about-its axis response. While the Renault and Peugeot may be good at tackling corners, the Ford is outstanding.
But on the flipside, the Fiesta ST’s ride bordered on being appalling. It picks up bad heave and pitch on roads the other cars read as absolutely smooth, and the hard springs transmit major road bumps directly to the base of your spine, turning your backside into the primary suspension component.
Its 17-inch wheels and low profile tyres may not have helped, but the other two seems capable of wearing rubber band profiles with impunity.
Which leaves the 208 GTi. Unsurprisingly, ride versus handling is a home win, and occupant comfort is excellent, with upper middle-class refinement. Undulations get parried nicely by the soft-ish setup, only extra viscous bumps getting through to score a short shimmy through the chassis.
Happiest grand touring, the Peugeot is still willing to have a go in the twisty bits. Unlike the Ford, though, it feels like it has finite grip, and it is surprisingly easy to drive up (or even slightly over) the limits. Hard cornering loads up the car nicely, the chassis tensing and sending messages in a way the Renault doesn’t care enough to.
One part of the verdict is easy: placing the Renault Clio RS a distant third. It may demand the most attention on the road, but one person it fails to thrill is the driver. As a hot hatch, then, the Renault is a pretender – clinically competent, but not a particularly pleasant drive.
Not one of us six rated it anywhere other than plum last. In the end, it does everything it is asked of with nary a complaint nor drama, yet it offers an all too sterile experience, which, next to the two stalwarts here, commands respect but not love.
But while the Renault was lapped several times, deciding between first and second was the closest of photo finishes. For the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi are two pretty exceptional cars.
We almost declared it a draw. But that would be a cop-out.
So we argued and argued and ultimately voted. With a final tally of two against four, we were forced to place the Ford runner-up – a decision that physically hurt both Anthony and Jonathan Lee. They’d probably go as far as to offer a couple of their own limbs to see the Blue Oval take the win. And supply their own hacksaw too.
Yet despite all that, and the fact that the Fiesta ST is the purest hot hatch here (all six of us unequivocally agreed that it was the best handling and to be driven hard), it still comes second as an ownership proposition. Not because of any big failings on the car’s part – the hard ride and gloomy interior could just as easily be regarded as character enhancements as niggles. But as a car to be used everyday, it asks for a lot of sacrifices.
The Peugeot’s strength is that it doesn’t. Or at least, it doesn’t need to. When the roads are clear, the 208 GTi can hold its own, but the rest of the time – and let’s be honest, in Kuala Lumpur it’s most of the time – the Pug does a near faultless impression of an everyday hatchback.
The Ford doesnt. It’s always serious, always demanding to be spanked, to be treated the way it should be.
Meanwhile, you dictate how you want to enjoy the 208 GTi. It offers more than enough sparkle and general passion to the business of motivation. It’s mid-rangey character is also particularly well suited for Malaysian roads, and whereas it never quite reaches the same highs as the Ford, it allows for significantly more involvement than the robotic Renault.
The Peugeot manages high-speed cruising or back-lane surfing, town or country, at ten-tenth or anything below. It’s a good-natured, adaptable car, digging in gamely and having a go when it need to, allowing you a clear view of its accessible limits.
As a car, the 208 GTi is almost flawlessy competent, but there’s sense of fun that the Clio RS lacks, and enough of it to at least be compared to the Fiesta ST. For Danny, Jonathan James Tan, Greg and myself, that makes it the King of B-segment hot hatches in Malaysia.
But don’t take my word for it. Read what they have to say themselves:
Gregory Sze says:
I’ll be the first (or second) to admit that the Ford Fiesta ST was my pick to come out top in this comparison. After a weekend of monumental moments, I can still say it is by far the best car to drive when one’s inner hooligan decides to make an appearance. Everything about the car – from the way it builds speed particularly in the mid-range to the sheer heft of the steering itself – shouts high-performance.
With that said, if I were in the market for a hot hatch, my pick would be the Peugeot 208 GTi. Given one car to ferry me back and forth from my house to the office, day in, day out, the 208 fits the bill. It’s easily the best car to live with day-to-day that at the same time, possesses enough pizazz to keep things interesting over the odd Sunday morning drive.
Don’t get me wrong, the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is a capable car but it is exactly just that. A tool, a weapon that one might use to demolish other cars on a track but that’s it. It’s a tad too clinical in its delivery, too sterile in its presentation. The saving grace? It’s the only car of the trio that would catch my attention from an aesthetic point of view.
Jonathan Lee says:
I really wanted to like the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC. And it very nearly did win me over – it’s a gorgeous car with funky gizmos and by far the most balanced and capable chassis here. Some would call its approach clinical, but I think there’s actually some fun to be had through its sheer grip and iron-clad unflappability. But the slow, uncouth transmission proved to be the Clio’s downfall. It’s such a shame, because this is a great car screaming for a better gearbox.
The Peugeot 208 GTi makes a more determined stab at things, being the classiest, most understated car to look at. It’s also the easiest to live with every day, with the nicest interior (by an unassailable margin), the plushest ride and the most accessible performance of the three.
When push comes to shove, however, it runs out of talent the quickest. It robbed me of confidence to drive it quickly, and I just couldn’t enjoy it as much as I did the others. It’s unfortunate that the condition of this particular example was not ideal, because I’m sure it would’ve had a better chance of winning over my heart, as it won most of my colleagues’.
Instead, it was the Ford Fiesta ST that did it for me. Yes, it’s the most Brothers of the lot, has the most barren interior and the ride is truly stiff. Yet, in my view, the gulf in everyday usability between the 208 and the Fiesta pales in comparison to the chasm in driver enjoyment, and it’s in favour of the Blue Oval.
Where the GTi was mute, the ST felt talkative, alive. And whereas the GTi began to fall apart the faster I drove it, the more I pushed the ST, the more I felt I could trust it, the more it begged me to drive it faster, harder.
At the end of the day, it was the ST that got me tingling when the roads got twisty, and that sealed the deal for me. But I can completely understand why anyone would pick the GTi instead, and they wouldn’t be wrong at all.
Jonathan James Tan says:
I had in fact already taken each member of the thriller trio on a date prior to this – at different times, and for relatively short durations. Certainly, I knew a second tryst – with all of them back-to-back – would clear all doubts of which one I would take home, and not to meet the parents.
Yet I pre-determined a winner – the Ford Fiesta ST was the one that wrung the most beats per minute out of me last we met, so why shouldn’t it do so again now?
Oh, but it did. This is a car you drive by the ST of your pants. You won’t find a steering this sharp and articulate anywhere in the segment, and the gearchange is slick and crisp. Throw in an unyielding chassis and a naughty engine note, and you find yourself taking some shocking liberties with this party girl and athlete rolled into one.
By stark contrast, the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is the class geek, which is fine if you’re into that sort of thing. Lots of stuff, from its diamond-like carbon cam followers to its front bumper and rear diffuser, are F1-derived, and then there’s that information-overladen RS Monitor.
Immensely rapid and capable though it may be, the RS’ track-biased nature makes it less suited to public roads than the others. Progress is very secure and fuss-free on the whole, and it can do so much more, but only on the circuit will its full prodigy be realised.
But the more I drove the Peugeot 208 GTi, the more smitten I became by it. This is a fast car that makes no claims to be one. Being little more than a 208 with a hot motor, the ride remains pliant and the cabin maintains its quirky, classy and airy qualities. It’s not as planted as the RS or as controllable as the ST at speed, but its thrust is the most usable and accessible in the real world.
So my verdict is thus. The ST is unquestionably the hottest hatch here, but it’s Miss Bardot I’ll be taking out to dinner tonight. At least, unlike the other two, she won’t look out of place in a hotel foyer.
Danny Tan says:
The hot hatch unites driving enthusiasts like no other. You may dream of Italian exotica, drool over classics or drive JDM machines, but if there’s one genre all can nod in agreement with, it has to be the humble hot hatchback.
With the seniors looking bloated in size and power, it’s down to this crop of super superminis to keep it real. All three have evocative badges and are pretty evenly matched on paper, but each has a distinct personality – it all depends on how you like your hot hatch served.
The Fiesta ST arrives on a sizzling pan. Lowest figures, but the fizz more than compensates. Turbocharged it may be, but you’ll want to wring out every inch of rpm before changing gears (the right way, by stepping on a clutch). That enthusiasm is matched by the ST’s agility and feedback. Truly a feast for the senses.
Perfect for our stress-releasing weekend drivecation, but as a car to buy and live with everyday? I’m OK with the spartan cabin, but not 100% sure if I can keep up with its always switched-on character. The French cars ride and pamper better.
The Peugeot is everything the Ford is not – fat arsed, well-equipped, comfortable, understated in power delivery – but don’t be fooled, it’s very quick. The THP gives you a thump in the back while whistling away, but the entire process of driving fast is effortless.
The Renault goes one up. It does the daily hatchback thing very, very well (great refinement, good ride), but there are RS and Race modes for those Mr. Hyde moments, and you can even make it sound like a Nissan GT-R or Clio V6. If our test was done on the track, my money would be on an easy win for the Clio.
Back to the “buy one as your only car” question. The ST may be too hardcore for this ageing driver. The RS is well balanced, but I’ve never owned an automatic before and I don’t intend to do so as long as they keep making ‘em stick shifts. GTi’s glass roof and lowest price seals the deal.
Anthony Lim says:
In an age where emotion is no longer measured by the sensations coming off the seat and steering wheel, and where efficiency largely defines efficacy, something like the Fiesta ST is simply pure, unadulterated joy.
Sure, the cabin feels a bit pinched and ordinary in light of the familiarity of the standard Fiesta’s interior, and there’s something about the rear half’s exterior lines as presented by the three-door layout that didn’t quite resonate.
But all is forgotten and forgiven when you gun the ST down a stretch of twisting, undulating B-tarmac – this is an extraordinary car, full of innate talent and outstanding ability. To say it appealed to the 10-year-old that I actually am would be understating it – it left me completely gobsmacked and, more importantly, wanting to repeat the process again and again.
That motor – almost NA-like in breathability when pushed hard – is an absolute standout midband on, and the chassis responds to input in such fashion that it made the other two feel inherently lazy. This was my second outing in the car (the first, in Melbourne), and though the firmness was again evident, the ST’s ride wasn’t even a consideration as it was to some of the team – I actually found it winsome.
The Clio RS was a non-starter for me – sad, because it did track and place the best of the three, and as an experience, very grown-up, cultured even. But it is all served clean, utterly devoid of emotion, dull in both sense and feel. And that’s not what a hot hatch is all about.
The Peugeot’s more balanced approach appeals in a different way – it is quite the all-rounder, the one that will serve most the best, and I can see where the others are heading with their call on it.
But, in keeping true to the gestalt of the hot hatch and all that it stands for, there is only one clear and absolute winner in my books. The idea of a great driving, small tail-less car will always appeal to me, and the little Ford hits that particular nail squarely and firmly on the head. Outstanding. Simply outstanding.
For a more detailed look at these cars, compare their specifications and equipment levels on CarBase.my.
Ford Fiesta ST
Peugeot 208 GTi
Renault Clio RS 200 EDC
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PROTON IRIZ lah !!!
Proton must be very disappointed that paultan.org has left out Proton Iriz in this comparison..
:P :P :P
Yea lor.. why no comparison of Iriz.. We all know it’ll end up last but heck, why not?
Why no “global” car Iriz? Tidak layak kah?
hey check power train lah
Proton Iriz can smoke any of this model…
DrM comfirm himself this is Global car, others no brain scare to compete with Iriz.
Even P1 AUS scare to use the same name !!! (force to use others name Satria gti)
This car is cheap.
Thank you to our good Government for giving us cheap cars and cheap fuel. I hope our Government does not reduce the price of cars and the price of Petrol. It is already cheap.
To all those who are crying about car prices, do you know why you cannot afford expensive cars? Let me tell you why. It is because you are LAZY and don’t want to work hard. If you work hard, you will have the ability to afford a RM150k easily.
Stop complaining and work hard. I work hard so I am able to afford my luxurious VW. I don’t sit around complaining about car price and fuel price. Only lazy people do that.
I’m lazy but I’m driving Bmw.
For Iriz, Malaysia is the “Globe”.
Tested in Europe winter but can’t even sell there (Not Euro 5 compliant), money burnt for what?
Typical Proton Sendiri Cakap Sendiri Syok. Tun happy, fanboys happy but no one buying end up sales still very bad.
for 150k i suppose to sit in 5 series than just miserable accord.
thats is the different of having expensive car price in malaysia.
nothing to do with lazy or work hard.
Work harder to put money into G and Proton cronies pocket? No TQ
Damn, I was about to say the same thing.
Great reviews between these three cars.
It seems the 208 gains a lot of fame from the plate no. CDM25 steering lock case. No wonder you guys are so tempted to it. :)
iriz is a hatch but no hot hatch…hot hatch is for high performance hatch model/variant. do u think myvi hot hatch oso? is jazz is hot hatch? mirage?…
Your fellow comrade said it’s hot hatch.
Ah Beng (Member) on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Same Lorrr don’t have idea to talk ka? You can repeat your fantasy 5S..What Viva have wont? Nothing! This hot hatch will smoke-fart your Toyota and Perodua..haha..
Read more: http://paultan.org/2014/08/11/proton-gsc-partially-revealed/#ixzz3MhtHhAlh
Eh I can oso say myvi is hot hatch. You believe it too? No wonder can sell “3200k” axia. Anything stupid oso you believe.
And for the rest of trolling, pls compare apple to apple. Comparing iriz with thkse car while you know it’a not comparable will.just unleash your own stupidity.
So you’re saying what Proton supporters say cannot be believed? Huh? Now only want to compare Apple with Apple? I thought you guys like to compare Suprima with Vios? Why now cannot compare Iriz with other cars? Your Iriz not fast enough ah? Haha
I dont buy axia. Thats y i am not stupid.
Those buying iriz are dumb. Those building iroz ate dumber.
WHy not Suprima with Vios have similar prices what? You think this is about cars in US?
Who is p1 supporter? You looked at what he said or who said it?
Rise up you childish mind, it’s not for your age anymore (if you do).
Like you said:”Comparing these cars will just unleash your own stupidity.” Haha
those guy stupid commenter…oni idiot people like u believe
No one believe in you too.
hahaha… kan dah kantoi
@Amoi
Your childish mind likes to generalise things. Who are you to say for people?
Haha kan dah kantoi
there are reason why some car maker put RS, GTI, ST, GT badges on their cars..
How about R3?
How bout TRD on a Vios?
What’s your name? kzm mother?
Satria Neo la!!
Where is the king of the road and RV Vios TRD sportivo?
Obviously a troll. Don’t feed the trolls
Not once did the author mention that the steering wheel in 208 is blocking the view of the instrument and this is a known problem. Well as he owns that car I guess he is a bit bias and wanna hide the truth. Just read any auto site/magazine and go showroom yourself to verify this.
Shame shame…
Junk Rio 1.4 not even in the list, oh come on that insult to Korean car junk fan…lol
ST. Drove one during heavy rain. Great handling and the manual gear shifting is the one of the most satisfying feeling ever.
Where did u drive it? I want to sample it too, but it doesn’t arrive in Ford dealer in my area yet.
By the way, excellent write-up. From all of the car’s characteristics, talking about context, I can say it like this:
Renault Clio RS EDC = Nissan GT-R R35. Track tool, have the software to collect your driving data.
Ford Fiesta ST = Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS. Offers most satisfaction to drive, always wanna work hard and would reward a talented driver.
Peugeot 208 GTi = 2014 BMW M4. A more practical day-to-day car, but has the grunt and performance when ‘needed’.
at the recent Ford Driving Skills For Life. I had the chance to push it hard around the corner and it was heavy rain during my turn to drive it. It was brief drive but the first 3 gear shifts is a bliss.
Myvi is still da boss
boss of smelling smoke
Suprima S better!
Since when ride comfort is an important consideration for a hot-hatch? These cars are meant to be driven hard…
if you are worried about comfort then you should look elsewhere in the first place…
Hot hatch = its handling should carry the most weight
To me, if i had to share a car with my parents it would be the Renault as the folks won’t like the manual. Ford Fiesta ST will be good if you have another car for daily drive. If you can just afford one car then the Peugeot GTi would be the choice.
Proton Iriz R3 will smoke all these 3 junks
Of course!!! especially 6 years later the 2 french car looking for parts!! Then can start compete 2 junk yard pile up.
You mean go up in smoke a? Yea, I believe it will.
holy cow! How come so fast got exhaust smoke oledi! Blue, black or white smoke? My 16 YO Mazda still got no smoke why hah?
Excellent article! Been waiting for this a long time. Looking forward to the Driven episode too, hopefully.
Good review. Thank you.
Would be interesting if VW did bring in 2015 Polo MK6 with manual 6 speed 189bhp and 236lb ft with 1800cc to this mix.
where is citroen DS3??
You mean Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi 120hp NA engine 4 speed auto 0-100km/h in 10.9 seconds? Evan Megan Tan disapprove it.
Unless if Citroen Malaysia brings in DS3 165hp 6-speed manual, then it’s worth to compare.
DS3 is out of the picture, because its power train same category as IRIZ.. lol
Why compare with DS3 stock? Ignoramus squawking. Since the review is not not talking about Fiesta stock, Pug 208 stock. To compare, look at DS3 Racing. 210 PS @6000 300 N·m @3000 century sprint 6.5 sec speed limit 230 km/h. By the way even stock DS3 is leagues above Iriz with its 155 hp @6000. Megan Tan chose a girl car, the bug. Cuteness are for girls.
I drove the Clio RS before and i think it’s pretty fun ……. The cracking and popping sound it make is addictive , it sound like previous F1 car when u change gear at red line. besides, the launch control will put a big smile on your face although it is unnecessary for daily use or you wont even use it once a month (launch control only available for 1500 times only)
Nice trio. I will settle for the Ford.
There is no doubt that the Clio looks the best of the bunch. But a part of hot hatchery is looking sharp without being being OTT. The Clio benefits from not having lower models sullying its bloodline, while the Fiesta and 208 is fairly common on the road.
However that said, I would rather the sharper drivers car than something that stands out…. so for me, it would be the Fiesta, 208, then the Clio.
All 3 would be 1 size to small to be much use as a family car, one job that the Golf GTI and Focus ST does much better.
The Fiesta gets closest of what defines the segment. Light, agile, resonably powerful, simple (manual gearbox)….. basically a modern retake of the Mk1 and Mk2 Golf GTI….or even the 2nd Gen Honda CRX.
Golf GTi still the best
Err, I believe the Polo GTI would be a fairer comparison. The Golf GTI should be pitted against the Focus and the Type R.
Very good article. I know it’s not a hot-hatch thing to mention this, but I think it’s better to mention also about car boot space and fuel consumption between these three cars.
Go PUG yourself ! Awesome review.
I’ll take the Clio RS anytime. Especially when the Cup version arrive it will be a no-brainer. With lesser pedals to meddle with, I can focus more on attacking the chicane. Driving on B-Roads will be rapid and shifting with the flappy paddles just makes u feels like hooning a more expensive proper sportscar. For total driving involvement I’ll settle with the ageing FD2R (or previous Clio RS if u can find one). Revving those powerful NA is so much intoxicating as it has more zing as we reached the redlines. And better soundtrack too. These turbocharged hatches will become lifeless at the limit. It is strange also that the reviewers are keep mentioning about 208 practicality, comfort, space etc. If we want to talk about purity, these features should be binned at all. Then the ST should win hands down. But if we want to seriously discuss about practicality as a daily drive, the Clio with its DCT should sit on a high plus-point in this review as it will be easier to live with on daily basis.
I am partially agree with your comment. Partial because being the only automatic in this comparison, the Clio do make itself the more relaxing to drive around town. However, where space and overall usability plus easier maintenance is concerned, I would go for the Pug GTi. It comes with manual tranny and gives more involving driving experience.
GTi should have won, it is more powerful, it is faster, i know this is subjective but i think it looks better, its more refined and the Fiesta’s interior is nowhere near the 208.
I agree with the other commenter, the fiesta is nice if you have 2 cars, if it is your weekend car, it would be a BIG no for me as a daily driver.
the comparison of these 3 models has been made by TOPGEAR.. Check it on youtube..
Where is Top Gear review of Iriz?
Proton Fan Please Click On This Link And Read.
http://www.carbase.my/car-comparison?id=6mGwn6PISJ,28VEpPPXRX,3qLukQCdsK,6X9CNnIEqb,
This three car can Smoke Iriz, Iriz only 107 HP!
What Iriz Smoke, Iriz can smoke buffalo car. 0 to 100 in 11.1 seconds. Three Car Top Speed Already Win Iriz!
Proton Fan Don’t Dream!!!!
Anyway I’ll take Peugeot 208 GTi
Can’t you tell the “Proton fans” above are posers being sarcastic? Don’t feed the trolls.
Sarcastic or trolls.
You’re the worst Iriz indeed a good car only stupid people beside DrM that don’t know anything.
DrM put so many affect to the car BUT all stupid m’sian people never appreciate !!!
Go drive you lousy old jer.
Sad that your low intellect couldn’t pick up that I wasn’t demeaning the Iriz. Too bad…I blame the Malaysian education system.
Why are you so stupid?
Iriz should be compared with Fiesta and 208 Base model. Not the ST & GTI..Its on Another level.
barring all the issues with the VW brand lately (esp service levels), as an everyday car….I would take the GTI. I just got caught in a 1.5 hour jam from Mid Valley to Puchong…as a weekend boy racer, it got to be the ford and a close second would be the Pug…I actually like the pug, having examine one closely, its funky inside, sun roof and 200 ponies are pluses for me. Alternatively, throw in the 3 Cylinder Mini Cooper (or even the MCS) into the fray….would be interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this write up, even though Jonathan James Tan’s write up made me feel weird. An analogy well put, though. Excellent work, guys.
I kinda knew that the conclusion would end with either the “best hot hatch to live with” or the “best hot hatch to drive”. I kind of understand why the former is chosen, though, due to the difficulties of owning a car in Malaysia because of the high car prices, many might not be able to afford more than 1 car at a time but if they still want a hot hatch, the Peugeot 208GTi would be the most practical choice.
Fair enough, fair enough.
Excellent review and comparison
If i recall correctly, I did mention about choosing one among the three hatch in some previous topics. (purely my own taste and driving experience)
Among all the three, i will surely buy 208 GTI. Hear me out before flaming me:
I am living in malaysia, i am just a guy who is looking for a hot hatch for me to have fun, and at the same time, still suitable for daily drive on the malaysian roads which is full of potholes.
I won’t be racing on the tracks, and i want a whole complete package. Interior, comfort, acceleration, handling, suspension, and classi-ness, 208 GTI ticked almost all the boxes for me. The only thing would be the lack of boot space (but hey its a hot hatch what do i expect?)
i prefer the old school manual transmission no matter what car i drive due to its instant oomph every time i switch gear plus i am able to control my very own driving experience.
Admittedly i never driven fiesta ST and Clio RS before, but judging from the review, i can safely assume Clio RS and Fiesta ST can be much more harsher and not suitable for my daily enjoyment.
Interior wise, Fiesta ST is simply hideous in my opinion, Clio RS is decent, but nowhere as refined and classy compared to 208 GTI (i driven one 208 GTI before, really good quality interior. So sad i bought Golf mk6 TSI)
Exterior? Come on 208 GTI’s new sleeker and modern design simply wins hands down. Clio RS might have some niche market, but Fiesta ST? I definitely won’t go for it.
Pricing, which is the biggest factor, 208 GTI is also the cheapest, with discounts if you are lucky. Fiesta and Clio RS are just not worth the price tag they carry in Malaysia.
agreed. definitely among those 3 i will choose 208 GTi. worry free about the boot space, it’s larger than Fiesta (I donnot about Clio but should be same as 208 since sharing the same platform). tested 208 and fiesta both (non-gti). fiesta kinda plastic everywhere and not premium looking inside out.
Great article!
I’ll wait for the 208 R.. hope it will happen and done properly, hothatch style.
i guess the Clio RS got penalized for the gearbox. But i gotta say i just converted to auto. Saw it at the track just the other day and it sounded awesome. Just took a test drive today at the and the clio was a really sharp handling car with great torque delivery. But i live the fact that it had 3 driving modes for a comfortable drive and a button later u can go nuts in race mode. I think the brakes were superb with a lot of bite but had enough feel for good control. I vote the clio just for the fact its a proven track car and an everyday car. Love the Clio
Why isn’t Polo GTI in this comparison? Same category and price range. I’d like to know how it fairs against the three.
Current polo gti?
Dont bother.. a distant 4th for sure.
Nice review! Quite surprised that GTi came top but after reading in more detail, I see where you guys come from.
P/S: pls filter the trolls! It just doesn’t make sense to what most of them are saying. Iriz bashing can be done under Iriz-related articles.
They just hate Proton, that is all.
Everytime have to condemn iriz even if the article written does not concern iriz, in this case its about hot hatch.
Supposed to be a healthy,beneficial sharing of knowledge and experiences about cars but sadly it is not to be.
OMG.
For the hot hatch segment, daily usability and drivability really scores a lot of weight. If not why even bother putting seats to the rear? If outright handling is one concern, hey! isn’t that the job of a 2 seater RWD roadster? A hot hatch is expected to do everything a city hatch can do and at the same time giving you superior performance compared to a normal hatch. If you think 208 GTi is only for people who can afford one car, you are wrong. As I am owning 2 cars and I still bought myself a 208 GTi a year ago. It drive refinely and comfortably like a city hatch. When pushed its chassis come alive and give you more than adequate performance you did asked for from a hot hatch.
Forget about the Fiesta, I walked into a Ford showroom yesterday and was told ” you need to make an appointment or put a down payment for a test drive. The car is only available for viewing at the PJ branch” SERIOUSLY BAD MARKETING!!!!! Besides paying astronomical prices for cars in Malaysia, we need to put up with these excrements…. NO wonder there are not many Fords on our roads. Sime, you are killing the brand! If I am not mistaken, this site already have 3 articles related to the Fiesta??? Sack the marketing person for Ford Malaysia!!!
The reasoning for letting the Ford ST to be runner-up is because it is too hot for daily city usage? Do a top gear lap times please.
I have to disagree with you guys. Though the st and pug is a good drive, a typical malaysian driver cannot get away from the daily traffic we live in. Therefore, in malaysia, the CLIO RS is definitely the best hot hatch! At least to me.. :/
All nice but the prices should be reduced by 50% at least.
Still confused… St or gti…
If the fiesta is cheaper than 208gti, will it turn table around?
No bcoz is manual most ppl go for auto
Get Renault Clio GT lahh.. cheaper.. more promotion now!! Jimat minyak juga.. Bold and Sporty… stronger look… adik RF tu.. tq