SPORTS CAR MEGA TEST: Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 v Ford Fiesta ST v Renaultsport Clio v DS3
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Fiat 124 Spider vs Mazda MX-5 Sport Recaro vs Ford Fiesta ST200 vs Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy vs DS3 Performance. Subscribe now: smarturl.it/aut...
Which new car offers the most fun for less than £25,000? Is it a hot hatchback like the Ford Fiesta ST200, DS3 Performance, or Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy? Or is it a small roadster like the Mazda MX-5 or Fiat 124 Spider?
Our testers take all of the above to the limit on track, and then test them on the road, in the most comprehensive new fun car test in the business, to see which is best.
Which one would you have? Comment below!
New videos are uploaded to Autocar each week. Don't miss a single one. Subscribe now: smarturl.it/aut...
Watch next:
- Porsche 718 Cayman Driven • Porsche 718 Cayman S -...
- Tesla P85D vs McLaren 650S drag race • Tesla Model S P85D vs ...
- Aston Martin DB11 review • Aston Martin DB11 Revi...
Visit our website at www.autocar.co.uk
www.autocar.co....
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
Follow AUTOCAR here:
LIKE Autocar on Facebook: goo.gl/mWG2I5
FOLLOW Autocar on Twitter: goo.gl/DSAnav
FOLLOW Autocar on Instagram: goo.gl/N2Id68
+1 Autocar on Google+: goo.gl/h6UHVu
Check out our full video catalog: goo.gl/xHxfRA
For car reviews you can trust, subscribe to Autocar: smarturl.it/aut...
i wish they'd talked a bit more about the feel of each of the cars in the bends, the feel of the engine response, the steering, the things that make great cars great
I do think Fiat played down the 124 in a case for the Abarth to be the 'fun option'
driven both. no contest, st wins
I recently bought an MX5 ND (as a 2nd weekend fun car) when I was considering which sportscar to buy I never once thought about buying a hot hatch, after watching this video, i goggled the definition of a sports car and it reads along the lines of: A low slung 2 seater, rear wheel drive with the option of a folding roof! Not one definition mentioned practicality. If money was no object and I was considering which supercar to buy, I would never consider practicality, so I can't really understand the arguements that occured within this video? The outcome of this strange video was that Fiesta wins best sportscar because its more practical and could be used as your only car rather than a 2nd car for weekend fun? Going by the comments so far, I'm not the only one feeling confused by this video.
Yes, they underlined the point that their choice applies to a 1-car situation.
NO MATT, I daily drove a second Gen MX5 for years, that thing made me smile EVERYDAY i owned it and now makes me disappointed i no longer own it
Recent purchase of a Mazda MX-5 ND1 after driving a Mini Cooper for six years, and I am finally enjoying driving again. Every time I slip into the driving seat, I am smiling. If that is taking me on a long drive on a twisting country road, or popping to the local shops, the ND is fantastic. My kids are grown up so I don’t need back seats, and the ND is my daily driver. I haven’t even started about driving with the roof down either.
All great cars here, went for a Fiesta ST myself which i love especially after getting the Mountune MP215 upgrade. I also love the mx5 RF version with the hardtop which i will probably change to next if not the mk8 Fiesta ST, although the newer mx5 2.0 engine is upped to around 180bhp since this video, which is great.
How does it feel power wise in the straights? Before and after the mountune upgrades
Dean Grimsell definitely a noticeable upgrade, it pulls very well on the straights. It was quick standard but after the MP215 upgrade, the low down torque is instantly noticed, it just pulls great from any revs and you notice the extra power high in the revs, it has a nicer sound and more pull after 4500rpm than stock. You will really notice the louder turbo sounds and nicer induction noise from the mountune airbox, it’s probably one of my favourite parts of the upgrade. Its not too much extra sounds like the ITG can add, just the right amount of noise it really sounds great, i sometimes just floor it a bit and let off just to hear the turbo sounds, i love it. I bought it from mountune online and fitted it myself in less than an hour after watching Adam Rainey installation on youtube, very easy.
Steve, have you shift towards the MX5 or MK8 Fist? Im struggling to decide on a Fist MK8 or Mx5 2.0 (184 ps)….
Guy vouching for the MX-5 had to back down eventually, the Fiesta guy was clearly pretty stubborn and not interested in hearing the other side :D
I was set on a Fiesta ST (non-200) for a long time, but then I drove the MX-5... it felt more 'special': driving it felt like more of an occasion. Now I've decided on the Mazda but that means I need to save up more ££ and can't have it right this minute :(
You will NOT be disappointed in your decision!! Such a FANTASTIC car! (and I agree...the MX-5 guy basically capitulated to the Fiesta guy)
I bought a year-old sound red ND in November and have loved every minute of using it as a daily driver in the middle of a Scottish winter. Roll on the summer! Absolutely no regrets and I'm glad I didn't go for the ST :D
I have owned a fiesta st2 for 3 years. Its about to go back, I don't want to make the final payment and keep it. My next car will be the MX-5 RF. The fiesta st rides too hard on rubbish roads, you are rarely on the turbo and if you are its for 4 seconds and then you are at the speed limit. Most of the time, I'm pootling around town in an eco box with a turbo I can't use. Also no one ever looks twice at a fiesta ST. The same cannot be said of that new mazda rf. I can't wait to get shot of my ST. I'm not under 30 any more and saying horsepower numbers to my mates in the pub is so boring. I want a car I can enjoy and keep my license and in 3 years I never took the fiesta to the track once. If you don't go to the track, forget super minis. Get something comfortable.
You're absolutely right, way more special to drive. Comparing a sports car with a hatchback is rather silly, everyone thinking about an MX5 has already decided two seats is enough.
The Most Heated cut throat car argument I've ever seen on UA-cam! For a second i though those guys were about to pull knifes on each other...
"Correct-wheel drive" 🤣 I love it.
That DS3 looks amazing. But the Mx5 is the best one
Matt Saunders looks like he'd benefit from walking to the shops instead of taking his hatchback.
The best thing about the video is that it seems genuine, you guys said what you truly believe (unlike others that say what they think will get them the most views/likes).
giggles and high fun factor... clearly shown by the presenters. wow...
There's more emotion from Captain Holt.
So a Ford Fiesta is much more fun than an MX-5, because of its daily usage... are you Nuts???? You don't need put Beavis and Butthead into an MX-5, put them into a Fiesta.
They will love it.
Nice review, but i disagre with the conclusion. The fiesta may be good, but it is still wrong wheel drive. The mazda is good enough for one, or a couple to live with(you are not testing family cars are you?), and you have a good reason to not drive all kinds of people around, would be fun for roadtrips as well. It is more fun more of the time, IF you are not to whiney and wont drive it to the shop or in the rain etc.
Exactly. I don't think a harsh riding small hot hatch is what a family would choose for practicality.
Okay so the result is a bit skewed. You both agree that the MX-5 is the more fun car, but because the Fiesta is also practical, therefore it is better if it is the only car you own. If you´re looking for a second car you buy the MX-5, which never was inteded to be a first car.
So I guess from the way they summed it up that if you're a single bloke with no kids, go for the Mazda.
Well I´d probably go for the Fiesta still considering it may be 10% less fun but 100% more practical.
bingoberra18 Practicality is overrated. In the year I've had my Ka, I've had people in the back once and I've had to fill the boot up once or twice. Even then, I could easily have thrown stuff in the passenger footwell and not had any problems.
Agreed. The Fiesta can be 'used more of the time'? Plenty of people use the MX-5 as their (sole) daily driver. How do you get 'more of the time' than that? :/
If you never need the extra seats or big boot, the MX-5 isn't actually and less practical; it's just less accessible.
Jordan Russell I drove an mx-5 daily for 2 years, winter and summer. Bought ladders and a whole bunch of big stuff during the time. No problem. But Im dailying a Clio now and have really had good use of the foldable back seats. It all depends on your situation.
Fun video but as many here I do not follow the conclusion. You either test the most fun car or the most practical. By this logic a Mazda 6 wagon would spank the Fiesta and it also has the same snappy MX-5 gearbox. MX-5 all the way!
My choice would be the Clio RS once they facelift the handsome little pocket rocket. Only one on the list with launch control and possibly the quickest in a straight line easily. I think it's so overlooked in all of these car reviews just for having a slightly slow dual clutch box. It's actually a decent gear box..
Well said
I actually love the gearbox of my 220 Trophy and it is not slow at all. The whole car is just a brilliant machine. The only thing I don't like on it is the stupid tyre size with 205/40R18, so I just switched to 215/45R17 semi slicks.
Renaults facelifting it very soon. It should arrive dealers in a few months.they put new headlights and tail lights. Finally integrated LED DRLs inside the lamps and put new fog lamps. Also in the new 220 trophy u can opt for the akrapovic exhaust that pops and crackles heaps!
Currently own a Fiesta ST but miss the NB MX5 I previously owned....
As a “sports car mega test” the firsta’s practicality is irrelevant. You set out to determine the best sports car not the best car on the whole. The Mx5 handles better and can slide properly...
the Clio looks massive compared to the other 2 hot-hatches
Love the Ford but, you can't take the roof off. I bought a Mazda!
Your comment 4 years in the past is as true now as it was then.
The thing few people realize is just how uncomfortable it is to shift if you have long arms in the fiesta, the center console gets in the way. Sure the only thing the fiesta does better than the mx-5 is space and maybe practicality, but that shouldn't even be a factor if you're looking for a sports car... not to mention when you consider the convertible factor and how much it adds to the driving experience the mx-5 should clearly have won.
Can't drop the roof on the Fiesta. I also used the Mx5 to pick up a dinghy mast because it wouldn't even fit in a Mondeo. Not so impractical now is it!
Would and DO still have the MX-5 rather than a hatch. Is it unpractical? Sure. It's still practical enough 90% of the (my) time though, so I do daily it and have a lot of fun with it. Helps I do share a flat with a friend who has a more practical car, tho!
So a tarted-up econo car tops a purpose--built sports car as best "sports car?" I don't think so. These guys are arguing whether the Mazda is more fun, the whole time driving the MX-5 with the top up. DROP THE TOP, you goofballs, and the argument is OVER. Sure, the Fiesta lets you drop the rear seat... so you can cram in more groceries. If that's your idea of "fun," you need to get out more.
If you're looking for practicality for a family, shopping, etc, I don't think your choice would be a harsh riding small hot hatch a la Fiesta. If you're single than MX5 offers enough practicality, a more comfortable ride and open roof for summers.
Here in Mexico we only have the Fiesta and the Mazda, and actually I haven't seen any Fiesta ST, we do have the Subaru BRZ but is 150 thousand mexican pesos more (which is like 6 thousand pounds more). Of course I bought a 19 MX-5 which is close to 16 thousand pounds (380 thousand pesos), so it is a steal. It´s the manual, soft top 2.0L with LSD and 17 inch wheels.
GT86 not ? not worth watching
it's not new. then even the S2000 can be there and kill them. :)
but the gt 86 still in production
neither is the Fiesta st
its not a hot hatch and its not a roadster. done
When was roadster ever part of the requirements? Theme is 'sub-£25k sports car shootout'.
So the winner really is the MX-5 But since one of them is scared to drive it as often or as hard, he'd have more fun more often owning a Fiesta
Yeah...like many who have commented, I, too, am having trouble following that logic. To me, it sounds like the MX-5 was actually the winner. Unless you don't want to have as much fun so, in that case, the Fiesta wins? ugh And like others have pointed out..comparing a front drive hatch with a rear-drive (proper) sports car??? Even crazier!
Yes, they don't make much sense. If they want practicality they may as well buy a Leon Cupra.
EHHH, were is the Dacia Sandero 1,5 DCi? It would eat all those..
Oh look, the no homo man/boy from TST channel! Dacias are indeed the best, though.
Nik Brudar We meet again NIK! We meet again! I´m kinda all places !I do everything for that LIKE
***** Here's another like for you! I hope it makes your day better!
Nik Brudar i REMEMBER YOU FROM ANOTHER POST, believe it was sheme or EVO... Anyway, thanks! Yes, I don´t do this for free, you know!
the guy in the MIATA was a better driver
Um, well a hot hatch isn't a sports car, so no contest, the mx5 wins hands down. Ha, and of course all mx5 owners already know this. John, mx5 nc2 2lt manual owner...
Liking the cheeky 'whoosh' noise when the larger Matt turns his head at 12:25
I would go for two cars. A used Focus ST170 Estate for the practical but still kinda fun rides (which I have), and an MX5 for the pure driving rides, which I am picking up soon.
The dS in that spec looks so much better than the Fiesta. I not even going to call the 3rd hatch by it's name.
Does anyone knows about the background music please ? Sounds like "The xx - Intro" but it's different.
The DS looks good!
I liked the presenters. It was so matter of fact, that it may come across as dull for what American viewers are use to. But if you listen to their words and reasoning, it was well said, and the videography was great. I'd love to drive on some of those roads. So green and wet!
Really liked the review! Stylish without too much show!
I dunno much about cars... but the MX5 or the 124 look ten billion times better than an ordinary boring sporty ford fiesta. And if you have the words SPORT CAR in the title of this review video, shouldn't practicality be totally redundant anyway? Thanks for the video :)
Fiat 124/MX-5 are right out, I'm 6 foot 6. It is absolute COMICAL with me in those cars, and my head brushing the roof liner and staring at the black rubber trim at the top of a windscreen. Fiesta wins. (Or one of the triplets. 86/FR-S/BRZ.)
Well, the tallest for the Mazda is 6'. Above that, it's a wrong car.
It's all about your wants and needs. If you want practicality you get a hatch. If you want fun you get a RWD sports coupe. If you want both, you get a hot hatch. Also, the ST can't be as much rubbish as people seem to assume it is (or just a "ford"), seeing as it won Top Gear's COTY when it debuted, along with a bevy of other auto industry awards. I'm a fan of both the MX-5 and also the Fiesta ST, no need to get personally offended if some journalists rank your car 2nd in a subjective car review.
I have a hatch back (i30) for everyday and the mx5 for pleasure,no one car does it all ,a hot hatch ( however hot) is not the same fun as a roadster and without a rag top sunny days are just not the same drive . Total cost was £22000 for the Mx5 in Icon trim and £9000 for a second hand 1.6 diesel i30 with 14000 miles on the clock and 3 years left on the warranty.
mx-5 rules I think.
So if we’re talking fun, don’t forget the MX5 never runs the risk of having the mother in law in the back seat !
In Canada the 124 comes standard with 160hp and 184 lb/ft torque. These numbers would most likely help equal/ surpass mazda on the track
I think the Torque figure on the Clio may be wrong on that chart =P
sports cars now implies hatches?!?!
The answer is always Miata. Not the Fiata. The original Miata. The ND has it in the bag.
+Chris Juarez You're a sad, strange little fanboy; and you have my pity.
Relax kid.
117 lb ft at 2250 rpm?
tg72211 must be 217, glad sometime spotted it too
We don’t have the issue of the detuned Classica and Lusso here in America. These models only have 4hp less than the Abarth and doesn’t have the LSD.
A hatchback whit front wheel drive won a competition for the best sport car! You are crazy or stupid? "Ford is the best for shopping and live the kids on school" This is about sport car or family car? Please car industry don't listen this idiots, make more cars like the MX-5, rear wheel drive, convertible, low, fast, good design. Is the best cheap sport car on the market, congratulations Mazda.
Miata recipe for fun and speed in a small pack costing not much is not beatable.
The DS3 seems like great value for its money, but I just can't imagine a car guy buying one of those
Anyone know which roads this video was filmed on? Thank you.
why no Polo GTI?
I see it omitted in almost every hot hatchback comparison
Guess why indeed...
An MX5 is definitely more fun than a Fiesta ST because you can put the roof down, it's rear wheel drive and drives like a sports car. Practicality and fun are not the same.
oh my God how much does Ford pay you?! ive driven all the cars in this test and there is N WAY IN HELL the Fiesta is even close to be as much fun as the MX5! its just a power little fwd hatchback! and no! on street speed you wont be "cocking its wheel"! you have to be on the limit for that to happen, and even if you do, so what? the wheel is in the air, wow, nice! The mx5 on the other hand is a complete laugh! you can drift about each and every corner you go around the whole day long...and just wait until it starts raining! then mx5 is unbeatable...people, just do me a favor and dont listen to these guys, just go drive both cars yourself...
Here in the mountains, the Miata/Fiat has far too little torque for the steep inclines. Especially for highway on ramps.
The strong desire to get out and push is a serious fun killer.
First Last I'm guessing you live on the slopes of Mt. Everest or K2, because I am fairly certain they don't have any problem getting up any normal roads. Maybe you just need to change your driving style and use the gearbox a little more, rather than just relying on a wave of torque. That is what gears are for.
Renault Clio RS 117LB FT??? Maybe proof read your info.....might be a good idea.
So all the cars on their top trims performance version except the FIAT? Why? Do this with an Abarth.
what about the Peugeot 208 gti?
Was surprised not to see this instead of the DS3, too.
Here is something they forget. The Miata you can put an intake, exhaust, cam, etc on it and gain maybe a realistic 10-15hp. The Spider, you plug in a tuner from euro-tuning into the OBD2 port that increases boost, and you have another 50hp while looking completely factory and which can be reflashed to stock in a matter of minutes.
I thought you can get a GT86 primo for less than 25k, or even a well specced BRZ too for that matter...
What this review showed more than anything else to me is that the 5k between these and the 30k hot hatches is a big old 5k, definitely worth the extra £ imo.
Introducing the Renoir Clio RS... as our driver tries to total it....
I would buy the mx5 anyway.. Even if it was the slowest.
I think it's just making no sense at all. same logic, any two seats car will be less fun than 4 seats car then. so a laferrari will be less fun than Fiesta st because no back seats, even no 25k budget limit
This is a magnificent review. Can't praise these guys enough.
124 looks like a right lardy lump compared to the mx5, so mx5 better track car, 124 probably one for the cruisers, mx5 one for the drivers! and so obviously the fiesta. MX5 1.5 with BBr remap and exhaust puts out 158bhp and revs to 7500 with a sweeter feel too.
say whatever you want they drove the mazda like they stole it.... got no more questons
I had a 2015 Fiesta ST for 1 year but i wanted a convertible,you compare the MX 5 and Fiesta ST but never mention the fun factor of a convertible so if Ford could pull off and produce a ST convertible without spoiling the ST's i would buy one tomorrow,why let Mini and Golfs and Audi's take the soft top market,i know there was a Focus convertible but the Fiesta's chassis is brilliant!
So the DS 3 is clearly faster, a bit less fun but more stylish, and somehow the ST still wins ? Alright.
i'd take the DS3. More rarer
good england mate.
Madlads the whole lot of ya!
The ds surprisingly the fastest?
It has a LSD and it s a 208 gti bps rebadged. Normal
124 spider fantastic
The fiat and the mazda looks just the same like a perfect copy
A hot hatch is NOT a sports car. Get the Toyota GR86 and the like
Is that Clio RS Torque figure right? Looks a little low.
Noticed that too, probably a typo
add 100
before i see this , I say aah ok review from uK, i not need to watch they going to say the fiesta is best , blablabla ,,, like always do
wheres the 86 or brz?
How about insurance and tax ? Thats here in germany for an MX 5 is cheaper than for a Golf GTI or Fiesta ST - same in England ? Depends as well on driver age , mileage and where to be parked ? How about maintenance ? Mx5 is N.A and has cheap tiresize.brake pads ... Because of its weight there is less wear and less fuel consumption as well . Parts availiability? MX 5 is a million seller with bulletproof engine , Fiesta ST is made in Germany, a plus point I agree, but has not so much in comon / sharing parts / with the standard Fiesta what is made everywhere- Belgium, Britan, is`nt it ?
Perhaps your shitty weather let’s you forget that the Mazda is a convertible. And that alone gives it the edge when it comes to fun.
Chris Decavalla Contrary to common belief, the UK weather isn't particularly bad. Of course there are days when it rains, but not as often as people make out. It does tend to be overcast a lot. We don't tend to have extremes like some countries. The problem with our weather is it's so variable because we have 4 intersecting weather systems over a smallish landmass, rather than the usual one or two most have. I put the top down on my car all year round... makes driving more fun. 😁
What is so "mega" about this review ? Quite boring to be honest.
I think it's "mega" in the sense of "15-minutes 5-car group test".
You guys should have used the abarth version...fair is fair
Check the pricing...
I don't really understand the argument that the ST200 will give you "more fun, more of the time" when behind the wheel. My ND MX-5 excites and delights every single drive (no matter where I'm going), yet I don't think dropping the kids at school (or other humdrum activities) would be on the same level. ST200 and ND MX-5 would be my ultimate two car garage, but in the question of the best sub £25k sports car, surely it goes to the MX-5?
JFCW I love my ST150 (also I'm loving understatement, that view of Mercedes E-class or some SUV drivers are priceless ^^) and even a friend of mine, which drove Astons, Porsches and so on, would have bought it ;)
But I still love the MX-5 since I'm a teen, I also love the facelift. The new Fords are ugly as hell (my opinion)
"Which new car offers the most fun for less than £25,000?" fiesta wins caus its better for shopping? wtf? xD fiesta cant even take the roof of:P top down mx-5 is my winner if we talk about fun only.. as a daily... maybe its the fiesta^^ but i keep my mx-5 RF as my daily :P fun>practicality
Ha he’s talking shit. He’s basically implying that the fiesta is better because you don’t use the Mx5 all year round. That’s a personal choice mate so don’t put it on the car. I own an Mx5 and my mate owns a fiesta St200 and because it’s FWD and a family hatchback it does nothing...for him to have fun requires him to break the speed limit because all hot hatches do is give you speed and a moderate level of handling ability. I can stay below the speed limit all year round and because I have RWD and a lighter better handling car, I can enjoy twisty roads much more than he can and I can flick the tail out whenever I’m feeling bored. The Mx5 is more practical than people think and is buckets of fun. Buy one and live with one and you’ll see what I mean 😂
What happens if the engine blows explodes will that also be fun ?
The guy driving the ford has to give reassurance it wont break.. why...? -))
0:33 wth is wrong with the driver? lol... do another take ffs.
That's what happens if you're really pushing a car you're not used to, trying to find the limit. To establish where the limit is you have to exceed it a little.
I like that they left that bit in; it shows how much they were pushing the cars and that these are everyday drivers and not superhuman Stig-like machines.
Good point, can't say anything more about that :)
"We spend our lives driving to the corner store to buy a newspaper"
What fucking year is this guy living in?
Disappointing audio quality. As if some of the commentary was done in an empty room.
The Mazda is more reliable
Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer
🙄
mx5 rf anybody?
Luck I have both
GT86 all day