Citroen’s new-generation C3 is a neoclassical French supermini. It’s as pretty as a picture, yet perfectly practical; it’s compact on the outside, yet spacious on the inside; and its dynamics are ideal for urban driving, whether in Paris or in Pasir Ris. The C3’s USP (Unique Selling Proposition, for the benefit of the non-marketers reading this) is its Zenith windscreen, which extends over the heads of the front occupants and provides a panoramic view like no other in this class of cars.
The supermini of the moment is the Polo, Volkswagen’s miniature Golf for the masses. Keen pricing, aggressive advertising and well-considered specifications are powering the Polo up the Singapore sales charts, with its momentum maintained by this latest Sport variant. It has a 1.2-litre turbo 4-cylinder and additional features over the $4k cheaper 1.4-litre Polo: 16-inch alloy wheels (versus 15-inch), better seats and a superior stereo.
The 207 is closely related to the C3 under the skin, but the Pug is noticeably larger (apart from height) and its styling is more, well, pugnacious. The Peugeot is a bit less fashion-conscious than the Citroen, with the C3 offering one more chic body colour, which is the Boticelli Blue (baby blue) worn by the test car. Interestingly, the local Peugeot dealership has stopped pushing the 207 1.6 because most buyers just opt for the 308 1.6, which costs a mere $3k more. So, we have the 207 1.4 fighting its two rivals here.
Which of these small combatants has the biggest personality and the best blend of fun and functionality? Let the battle begin.
C3 – Highest and most upright driving position. Great visibility in all directions, especially with the moveable headboard slid back to expose the Zenith super-windscreen. Thick seat bolstering looks better than it supports.
207 – The sporty rake and close fit of the sitting position encourages a press-on driving style. Size, shape and texture of the seats make them less comfortable than the Citroen’s, but they are more supportive than expected.
POLO – Methodical cockpit is less flashy than the C3’s and less racy than the 207’s, but its general storage is easily the best and footwell space is the most generous. Driver’s seat provides a pleasant blend of comfort and support.
