Renault Clio 1.2T vs Seat Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI vs Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI
18 Aug 2017|27,366 views
Renault Clio
Most expressively styled
Most spacious
Not as refined as the Ibiza or the Polo
Seat Ibiza
Sportiest exterior
Most impressive powertrain
Most fun to drive
Volkswagen Polo
Most sedate styling
Most efficient powertrain
Most affordable to buy
With the mangling state of our public transport system, of which the top dog in-charge claims is blown out of proportions by the media, one wonders if the move towards a car-lite society is truly possible in Singapore.
A few years ago, I might've answered that question saying yes, a car is more of a want, considering the sky-high prices we pay to put them on the road. Unfortunately, today, I cringe at the thought of the day I am unable to own one.
A compact, good-looking and economical hatchback is a first-time car buyer's best, especially in Singapore
No thanks to COE premiums, loan restrictions, upcoming VES rulings, a new ERP system and so on, even senior corporate executives might have trouble pumping out enough Vitamin M for a car. The most viable option in this case, then, for new car owners would be a subcompact or supermini that's cheaper to buy, economical to run and easy to drive.
And if European is what you aim for, we're glad to say you're in luck thanks to models like the Seat Ibiza, the Volkswagen Polo and the segment's latest contender, the Renault Clio. Question is… which one will you put your money on?
If you're a sucker for aesthetics...
At face value, the Clio's spunky design is an instant eye-catcher. Parked next to the Ibiza and the Polo, the Clio's typical French mien, contrasting trims and coupe-esque body are a fresh pop of colour in an otherwise dry division.
Styling is one reason why people buy Renault's small cars and the Clio's irresistible charm continues that tradition
In this Mr. Subcompact beauty pageant, the Ibiza comes in second, thanks to sportier bumpers and sharper fascia that make it more youthful and cheekier than its Volkswagen cousin.
This brings us to the Polo - a car that looks every bit the way a Volkswagen should. The exterior is smart, with clean lines and a reassuringly familiar feel, but it's nowhere near as dynamic-looking as its French and Spanish rivals.
A few years ago, I might've answered that question saying yes, a car is more of a want, considering the sky-high prices we pay to put them on the road. Unfortunately, today, I cringe at the thought of the day I am unable to own one.
No thanks to COE premiums, loan restrictions, upcoming VES rulings, a new ERP system and so on, even senior corporate executives might have trouble pumping out enough Vitamin M for a car. The most viable option in this case, then, for new car owners would be a subcompact or supermini that's cheaper to buy, economical to run and easy to drive.
And if European is what you aim for, we're glad to say you're in luck thanks to models like the Seat Ibiza, the Volkswagen Polo and the segment's latest contender, the Renault Clio. Question is… which one will you put your money on?
If you're a sucker for aesthetics...
At face value, the Clio's spunky design is an instant eye-catcher. Parked next to the Ibiza and the Polo, the Clio's typical French mien, contrasting trims and coupe-esque body are a fresh pop of colour in an otherwise dry division.
In this Mr. Subcompact beauty pageant, the Ibiza comes in second, thanks to sportier bumpers and sharper fascia that make it more youthful and cheekier than its Volkswagen cousin.
This brings us to the Polo - a car that looks every bit the way a Volkswagen should. The exterior is smart, with clean lines and a reassuringly familiar feel, but it's nowhere near as dynamic-looking as its French and Spanish rivals.
Inside job
We wish we could continue singing the same praises about the Clio's cabin, but materials and fit and finish in the Ibiza's and Polo's is notably superior.
The Ibiza's cabin is a perfect example of form and function working in harmony, making it our favourite one in this test
The cabins of the Ibiza and the Polo are very similar, but in FR trim, the former's sporty red stitching and flat-bottomed steering wheel give it a racier edge.
Otherwise, both cars offer very user-friendly experiences, thanks in part to highly intuitive infotainment systems and multi-function displays. While the Clio's cabin design is geared towards form, these two seem to be focused more on function.
While the Polo's cabin ranks high on quality, its lack of people and cargo space (stingiest at 280 litres) is a letdown
The Clio's saving grace, however, is the amount of passenger and boot space it offers, which trumps the other two cars in terms of leg and headroom by miles. Plus, its 300-litre boot space supercedes the Ibiza's 292 litres and the Polo's lesser 280 litres when their rear benches stay up.
We wish we could continue singing the same praises about the Clio's cabin, but materials and fit and finish in the Ibiza's and Polo's is notably superior.
The cabins of the Ibiza and the Polo are very similar, but in FR trim, the former's sporty red stitching and flat-bottomed steering wheel give it a racier edge.
Otherwise, both cars offer very user-friendly experiences, thanks in part to highly intuitive infotainment systems and multi-function displays. While the Clio's cabin design is geared towards form, these two seem to be focused more on function.
The Clio's saving grace, however, is the amount of passenger and boot space it offers, which trumps the other two cars in terms of leg and headroom by miles. Plus, its 300-litre boot space supercedes the Ibiza's 292 litres and the Polo's lesser 280 litres when their rear benches stay up.
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Fleet-footed and quick-witted
On paper, the Clio is the most powerful puncher of the test, with 120bhp and 205Nm of torque churned from its turbocharged 1.2-litre four-pot motor. From 0-100km/h, it also claims to be the fastest, taking 9.2 seconds, while the Ibiza takes 9.3 seconds and the Polo 10.8 seconds.
However, while paper figures speak so, our road test seems to tell a different story, as the Clio does feel slightly lazier off the line, probably due to its less accomplished six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But that's not to say the Clio is a bad driver because it's anything but; there's still a sense of youthfulness found in the way you can chuck it around like a 90's high schooler around an empty car park. Other gripes we had include its light steering, which feels unsatisfyingly vague.
The Clio's steering is unsatisfyingly light, vague and rather disappointing for a car that looks so cheery and characterful
While the Clio has a childish charm to it, its rivals boast the finesse of well-oiled machines. Affording more refinement, the dual-clutch seven-speeders residing within the Ibiza and the Polo are smoother and sharper-shifting. At the same time, the Ibiza's less powerful 1.0-litre, three-pot turbo lump and the Polo's 1.2-litre four-pot turbo feel livelier from behind the wheel.
Despite being the smallest in capacity, the Ibiza's engine turned out to be the most impressive, outpowering the Polo's by 20bhp and 40Nm. The Ibiza, too, is reasonably more fun to drive.
Despite being the smallest in capacity in this test, the Ibiza's 109bhp 1.0-litre turbo four-pot is one hell of a gem
Fortunately, the Polo has a trick up its sleeve. True to its German roots, the Polo feels like a bigger car than it is on our roads, with a level of stability, balance and refinement that wouldn't feel out of place on a more expensive Volkswagen model.
On paper, the Clio is the most powerful puncher of the test, with 120bhp and 205Nm of torque churned from its turbocharged 1.2-litre four-pot motor. From 0-100km/h, it also claims to be the fastest, taking 9.2 seconds, while the Ibiza takes 9.3 seconds and the Polo 10.8 seconds.
However, while paper figures speak so, our road test seems to tell a different story, as the Clio does feel slightly lazier off the line, probably due to its less accomplished six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But that's not to say the Clio is a bad driver because it's anything but; there's still a sense of youthfulness found in the way you can chuck it around like a 90's high schooler around an empty car park. Other gripes we had include its light steering, which feels unsatisfyingly vague.
While the Clio has a childish charm to it, its rivals boast the finesse of well-oiled machines. Affording more refinement, the dual-clutch seven-speeders residing within the Ibiza and the Polo are smoother and sharper-shifting. At the same time, the Ibiza's less powerful 1.0-litre, three-pot turbo lump and the Polo's 1.2-litre four-pot turbo feel livelier from behind the wheel.
Despite being the smallest in capacity, the Ibiza's engine turned out to be the most impressive, outpowering the Polo's by 20bhp and 40Nm. The Ibiza, too, is reasonably more fun to drive.
Fortunately, the Polo has a trick up its sleeve. True to its German roots, the Polo feels like a bigger car than it is on our roads, with a level of stability, balance and refinement that wouldn't feel out of place on a more expensive Volkswagen model.
Admittedly, while the Polo's experience may not be as fun as the Clio's or Ibiza's, it's hard to deny that it's a capable, refined and composed car that's super easy to drive and very hard to dislike.
All three cars in this test faired fairly closely in terms of comfort over bumps and ruts. They're also quite evenly matched on the economy front, with the Clio averaging 14.2km/L, the Ibiza 15.8km/L and the Polo 17.3km/L, during our drive.
The dual-clutch DSG transmission doesn't just enable buttery-smooth gear changes in the Polo but also an impressive fuel economy average of 17.3km/L
Dollars and sense, baby
At time of writing, the Clio in Dynamique Edition costs $94,999, the Ibiza in FR line $104,000 and the Polo, surprisingly as the most established badge in this test, a mere $94,400.
The Clio will no doubt appeal to the young and hip, who have an appetite for all things aesthetic, while the Ibiza shines as a more characterful version of its Polo cousin, and the Polo, well, clicks with every pragmatic brain cell in our body.
The Polo (left) for the sensible, the Clio (centre) for the arty-farty and the Ibiza (right) for keener drivers
Deep down, it's clear to us that the Clio has some growing up to do to dance in the ring with cars from the Volkswagen Group. It oozes charm for days but when it comes to dollars and sense, our hearts point more towards the Ibiza while our brains scream for the Polo.
But as the saying 'different strokes for different folks' goes, whichever ones speak to you, it'll be damned well sure better than choosing to continue riding on the bane that is our public transport system.
All three cars in this test faired fairly closely in terms of comfort over bumps and ruts. They're also quite evenly matched on the economy front, with the Clio averaging 14.2km/L, the Ibiza 15.8km/L and the Polo 17.3km/L, during our drive.
Dollars and sense, baby
At time of writing, the Clio in Dynamique Edition costs $94,999, the Ibiza in FR line $104,000 and the Polo, surprisingly as the most established badge in this test, a mere $94,400.
The Clio will no doubt appeal to the young and hip, who have an appetite for all things aesthetic, while the Ibiza shines as a more characterful version of its Polo cousin, and the Polo, well, clicks with every pragmatic brain cell in our body.
Deep down, it's clear to us that the Clio has some growing up to do to dance in the ring with cars from the Volkswagen Group. It oozes charm for days but when it comes to dollars and sense, our hearts point more towards the Ibiza while our brains scream for the Polo.
But as the saying 'different strokes for different folks' goes, whichever ones speak to you, it'll be damned well sure better than choosing to continue riding on the bane that is our public transport system.
Renault Clio
Most expressively styled
Most spacious
Not as refined as the Ibiza or the Polo
Seat Ibiza
Sportiest exterior
Most impressive powertrain
Most fun to drive
Volkswagen Polo
Most sedate styling
Most efficient powertrain
Most affordable to buy
With the mangling state of our public transport system, of which the top dog in-charge claims is blown out of proportions by the media, one wonders if the move towards a car-lite society is truly possible in Singapore.
A few years ago, I might've answered that question saying yes, a car is more of a want, considering the sky-high prices we pay to put them on the road. Unfortunately, today, I cringe at the thought of the day I am unable to own one.
No thanks to COE premiums, loan restrictions, upcoming VES rulings, a new ERP system and so on, even senior corporate executives might have trouble pumping out enough Vitamin M for a car. The most viable option in this case, then, for new car owners would be a subcompact or supermini that's cheaper to buy, economical to run and easy to drive.
And if European is what you aim for, we're glad to say you're in luck thanks to models like the Seat Ibiza, the Volkswagen Polo and the segment's latest contender, the Renault Clio. Question is… which one will you put your money on?
If you're a sucker for aesthetics...
At face value, the Clio's spunky design is an instant eye-catcher. Parked next to the Ibiza and the Polo, the Clio's typical French mien, contrasting trims and coupe-esque body are a fresh pop of colour in an otherwise dry division.
In this Mr. Subcompact beauty pageant, the Ibiza comes in second, thanks to sportier bumpers and sharper fascia that make it more youthful and cheekier than its Volkswagen cousin.
This brings us to the Polo - a car that looks every bit the way a Volkswagen should. The exterior is smart, with clean lines and a reassuringly familiar feel, but it's nowhere near as dynamic-looking as its French and Spanish rivals.
A few years ago, I might've answered that question saying yes, a car is more of a want, considering the sky-high prices we pay to put them on the road. Unfortunately, today, I cringe at the thought of the day I am unable to own one.
No thanks to COE premiums, loan restrictions, upcoming VES rulings, a new ERP system and so on, even senior corporate executives might have trouble pumping out enough Vitamin M for a car. The most viable option in this case, then, for new car owners would be a subcompact or supermini that's cheaper to buy, economical to run and easy to drive.
And if European is what you aim for, we're glad to say you're in luck thanks to models like the Seat Ibiza, the Volkswagen Polo and the segment's latest contender, the Renault Clio. Question is… which one will you put your money on?
If you're a sucker for aesthetics...
At face value, the Clio's spunky design is an instant eye-catcher. Parked next to the Ibiza and the Polo, the Clio's typical French mien, contrasting trims and coupe-esque body are a fresh pop of colour in an otherwise dry division.
In this Mr. Subcompact beauty pageant, the Ibiza comes in second, thanks to sportier bumpers and sharper fascia that make it more youthful and cheekier than its Volkswagen cousin.
This brings us to the Polo - a car that looks every bit the way a Volkswagen should. The exterior is smart, with clean lines and a reassuringly familiar feel, but it's nowhere near as dynamic-looking as its French and Spanish rivals.
Inside job
We wish we could continue singing the same praises about the Clio's cabin, but materials and fit and finish in the Ibiza's and Polo's is notably superior.
The cabins of the Ibiza and the Polo are very similar, but in FR trim, the former's sporty red stitching and flat-bottomed steering wheel give it a racier edge.
Otherwise, both cars offer very user-friendly experiences, thanks in part to highly intuitive infotainment systems and multi-function displays. While the Clio's cabin design is geared towards form, these two seem to be focused more on function.
The Clio's saving grace, however, is the amount of passenger and boot space it offers, which trumps the other two cars in terms of leg and headroom by miles. Plus, its 300-litre boot space supercedes the Ibiza's 292 litres and the Polo's lesser 280 litres when their rear benches stay up.
We wish we could continue singing the same praises about the Clio's cabin, but materials and fit and finish in the Ibiza's and Polo's is notably superior.
The cabins of the Ibiza and the Polo are very similar, but in FR trim, the former's sporty red stitching and flat-bottomed steering wheel give it a racier edge.
Otherwise, both cars offer very user-friendly experiences, thanks in part to highly intuitive infotainment systems and multi-function displays. While the Clio's cabin design is geared towards form, these two seem to be focused more on function.
The Clio's saving grace, however, is the amount of passenger and boot space it offers, which trumps the other two cars in terms of leg and headroom by miles. Plus, its 300-litre boot space supercedes the Ibiza's 292 litres and the Polo's lesser 280 litres when their rear benches stay up.
Fleet-footed and quick-witted
On paper, the Clio is the most powerful puncher of the test, with 120bhp and 205Nm of torque churned from its turbocharged 1.2-litre four-pot motor. From 0-100km/h, it also claims to be the fastest, taking 9.2 seconds, while the Ibiza takes 9.3 seconds and the Polo 10.8 seconds.
However, while paper figures speak so, our road test seems to tell a different story, as the Clio does feel slightly lazier off the line, probably due to its less accomplished six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But that's not to say the Clio is a bad driver because it's anything but; there's still a sense of youthfulness found in the way you can chuck it around like a 90's high schooler around an empty car park. Other gripes we had include its light steering, which feels unsatisfyingly vague.
While the Clio has a childish charm to it, its rivals boast the finesse of well-oiled machines. Affording more refinement, the dual-clutch seven-speeders residing within the Ibiza and the Polo are smoother and sharper-shifting. At the same time, the Ibiza's less powerful 1.0-litre, three-pot turbo lump and the Polo's 1.2-litre four-pot turbo feel livelier from behind the wheel.
Despite being the smallest in capacity, the Ibiza's engine turned out to be the most impressive, outpowering the Polo's by 20bhp and 40Nm. The Ibiza, too, is reasonably more fun to drive.
Fortunately, the Polo has a trick up its sleeve. True to its German roots, the Polo feels like a bigger car than it is on our roads, with a level of stability, balance and refinement that wouldn't feel out of place on a more expensive Volkswagen model.
On paper, the Clio is the most powerful puncher of the test, with 120bhp and 205Nm of torque churned from its turbocharged 1.2-litre four-pot motor. From 0-100km/h, it also claims to be the fastest, taking 9.2 seconds, while the Ibiza takes 9.3 seconds and the Polo 10.8 seconds.
However, while paper figures speak so, our road test seems to tell a different story, as the Clio does feel slightly lazier off the line, probably due to its less accomplished six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But that's not to say the Clio is a bad driver because it's anything but; there's still a sense of youthfulness found in the way you can chuck it around like a 90's high schooler around an empty car park. Other gripes we had include its light steering, which feels unsatisfyingly vague.
While the Clio has a childish charm to it, its rivals boast the finesse of well-oiled machines. Affording more refinement, the dual-clutch seven-speeders residing within the Ibiza and the Polo are smoother and sharper-shifting. At the same time, the Ibiza's less powerful 1.0-litre, three-pot turbo lump and the Polo's 1.2-litre four-pot turbo feel livelier from behind the wheel.
Despite being the smallest in capacity, the Ibiza's engine turned out to be the most impressive, outpowering the Polo's by 20bhp and 40Nm. The Ibiza, too, is reasonably more fun to drive.
Fortunately, the Polo has a trick up its sleeve. True to its German roots, the Polo feels like a bigger car than it is on our roads, with a level of stability, balance and refinement that wouldn't feel out of place on a more expensive Volkswagen model.
Admittedly, while the Polo's experience may not be as fun as the Clio's or Ibiza's, it's hard to deny that it's a capable, refined and composed car that's super easy to drive and very hard to dislike.
All three cars in this test faired fairly closely in terms of comfort over bumps and ruts. They're also quite evenly matched on the economy front, with the Clio averaging 14.2km/L, the Ibiza 15.8km/L and the Polo 17.3km/L, during our drive.
Dollars and sense, baby
At time of writing, the Clio in Dynamique Edition costs $94,999, the Ibiza in FR line $104,000 and the Polo, surprisingly as the most established badge in this test, a mere $94,400.
The Clio will no doubt appeal to the young and hip, who have an appetite for all things aesthetic, while the Ibiza shines as a more characterful version of its Polo cousin, and the Polo, well, clicks with every pragmatic brain cell in our body.
Deep down, it's clear to us that the Clio has some growing up to do to dance in the ring with cars from the Volkswagen Group. It oozes charm for days but when it comes to dollars and sense, our hearts point more towards the Ibiza while our brains scream for the Polo.
But as the saying 'different strokes for different folks' goes, whichever ones speak to you, it'll be damned well sure better than choosing to continue riding on the bane that is our public transport system.
All three cars in this test faired fairly closely in terms of comfort over bumps and ruts. They're also quite evenly matched on the economy front, with the Clio averaging 14.2km/L, the Ibiza 15.8km/L and the Polo 17.3km/L, during our drive.
Dollars and sense, baby
At time of writing, the Clio in Dynamique Edition costs $94,999, the Ibiza in FR line $104,000 and the Polo, surprisingly as the most established badge in this test, a mere $94,400.
The Clio will no doubt appeal to the young and hip, who have an appetite for all things aesthetic, while the Ibiza shines as a more characterful version of its Polo cousin, and the Polo, well, clicks with every pragmatic brain cell in our body.
Deep down, it's clear to us that the Clio has some growing up to do to dance in the ring with cars from the Volkswagen Group. It oozes charm for days but when it comes to dollars and sense, our hearts point more towards the Ibiza while our brains scream for the Polo.
But as the saying 'different strokes for different folks' goes, whichever ones speak to you, it'll be damned well sure better than choosing to continue riding on the bane that is our public transport system.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
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Car Information
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI DSG (A)
CAT A|Petrol|21.3km/L
Horsepower
66kW (89 bhp)
Torque
160 Nm
Acceleration
10.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Volkswagen PoloRenault Clio 1.2T Dynamique Edition (A)
CAT A|Petrol|18.5km/L
Horsepower
89kW (120 bhp)
Torque
205 Nm
Acceleration
9.2sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Renault ClioSEAT Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI DSG FR (A)
CAT A|Petrol|22.2km/L
Horsepower
81kW (109 bhp)
Torque
200 Nm
Acceleration
9.3sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used SEAT Ibiza
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