It’s that time of the year when you wait, eagerly, for that much-needed bonus. It’s also that time of the year when you whine in disillusionment, knowing that all you’ll get is a pat on the back. And with this pat comes the cruel realisation that those dreams of buying a Dh125K hot hatch will remain just that.
But don’t despair, as it also happens to be around this time of the year when we don our sensible hats, albeit for a week. So what do we have for you? Three hatchbacks that sell for less than Dh60,000 (that’s less than half of what you had planned, and we know you weren’t expecting a Dh65K bonus), but do not compromise on driving fun.
The Ford Fiesta, which has been our eternal favourite when it comes to some spirited driving, the new Chevrolet Sonic, which promises to be as much fun as its compatriot, and the new Toyota Yaris, which is our 2011 Small Car of the Year, and incidentally, is in our long-term garage as well.
Dejan’s Chevrolet Sonic
Sometimes fun is a passive activity. You sit there and enjoy something fun, like watching a fat man trip over. Other times — actually most times — fun is proactive. You have fun because you’re doing something fun.
Chevrolet’s new Sonic can’t quite decide whether it prefers watching people trip over, or if it’d rather blast around right-hand bends yanking at the handbrake.
It looks quite brilliant for this class of car; a segment ruled by logistics such as transportation, mass manufacturing, RHD and LHD compatibility, myriad safety and standardisation legislation… So it manages to look fun when it should really look like something designed by a committee, while still driving well, accommodating five people, having a boot, sipping fuel, and all the rest of the stuff a car does.
The Sonic has a good chassis that also puts a smile on your face, another thing not common in this class of car. Yes, the Yaris will do that but only because its limits of grip and levels of body roll are hilarious. Maybe for all the wrong reasons. True, that Fiesta is an exception, yet the Sonic does get close in terms of driving dynamics.
Inside it looks cheery too, with a motorcycle-inspired dash binnacle and a sporty, concave three-spoke steering wheel. The rest of it has nothing to do with fun, and more to do with masochism. Unless you are into masochism, this won’t make much sense.
The Sonic’s interior, while well-designed, logically thought out and extremely generous with space, isn’t the best built. Everything you touch is raspy, scratchy, including the stuff that you can’t just ignore, such as door cards, tunnel console surround, and the dash itself.
Americans and Europeans get a range of sophisticated engines, so they can smile all the way to the dealership. We have to sulk all the way there, because our only option is a 1.6-litre engine with Opel roots years and years old. Overseas, the motor of choice is a 1.4-litre turbocharged lump mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that enables a 0-100kph time of just over eight seconds. Label it a hot hatch, why don’t you?
Ours isn’t even lukewarm, because the 1.6-litre produces 115bhp rather reluctantly. The unrefined engine strains to get anywhere, and with your foot flat on the floor you’ll feel sorry and pity the poor thing, then give up, rather than punishing it with your foot hard down.
It makes a ‘rin-din-din’ sound too, which turns the cabin into a giant hollow tin full of rattling rocks. Even a sophisticated six-speed automatic doesn’t save it, but I know what would: a 1.4-litre turbo four-pot…
Actually that’s a bit harsh, because the Sonic does have a huge advantage;
its Dh43K starting price. It costs pretty much nothing. But, then again, you get what you pay for.
Sony’s Toyota Yaris
Since the focus of this feature is fun factor, I thought it was a good thing that the Yaris that we have in our fleet is the top-spec Sporty variant. So, I went through the press material supplied by Toyota, only to find that the ‘Sporty’ additions include, er, a fog lamp, a manually height-adjustable driver’s seat, 15in alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
OK, apart from that last bit, I don’t see any of those add-ons contributing to the car’s sportiness. But that also means if you go for the lesser variant, which Toyota has chosen to call Mid (probably to drive home the point that there’s nothing base about the new Yaris), will give you the same driving pleasure as the more expensive one.
And talking about driving dynamics, the 2012 Yaris is a huge improvement on the previous model when it comes to handling and performance. Although it houses the same 1.3-litre engine as before, the lump feels markedly more refined and less strained thanks to the new four-speed automatic ’box, which is lighter and more compact with less friction than before. Surprisingly, it feels even smoother than the Chevy’s 1.6-litre and the Ford’s 1.5-litre. MacPherson struts up front and torsion beams at the rear have been tweaked, resulting in the car’s ride quality and agility changing for the better. The Yaris’s cornering abilities have also seen vast improvement as the new 24.2mm front stabiliser bar helps reduce body roll considerably.
But disappointingly all these tweaks don’t seem to be enough to prevent the Yaris from tramlining heavily at speeds above 100kph. And this is not some freak occurrence in our particular test car, as we have driven three examples and all of them had the same problem. Toyota needs to address this issue soon, as it somewhat kills the fun in an otherwise decent riding car. Out of the three, the Toyota’s steering offers the least feedback, with the Fiesta scoring over the others in this department.
As for looks, the Yaris, even with its redesign, doesn’t look as exciting as the Sonic or the Fiesta. In fact, the older model had a quirkier look that endeared it to many.
However, the interior is a clear step-up from before with a proper dashboard, better seats and overall improved passenger room. Although the plastics in the cabin are all hard, they’re of better quality than the Sonic’s, but can’t hold a candle to the Fiesta’s superbly appointed, soft-touch cabin, which is a class above. But then, it is also priced a class above too, with the top-spec Titanium selling for Dh72,000.
Another great thing about the new Yaris is that Toyota has decided to include all safety features like ABS, Brake Assist, dual-stage airbags, Whiplash Injury-Lessening front seats and the like in all models, irrespective of the price you pay. Also available in all models are features like Bluetooth, USB port, multi-function electric power steering, etc.
All in all, the Toyota Yaris remains one of the best overall hatchbacks you can buy for less than Dh60K, but when it comes to driving fun, it loses out marginally to the Chevy Sonic and the Ford Fiesta.
Imran’s Ford Fiesta
My mate’s Ford Fiesta took us across the width and breadth of the UK in my Uni days. That red Mark II was a durable little hatch. Even though it hadn’t seen a fresh can of oil in years, it never threw a tantrum and got on with the job, hurtling us around town, up and down motorways and getting mighty muddy as we’d stuff it with five, sometimes six, bit part footballers every weekend during our Sunday League days. A heroic little car.
And now, 12 years later, I am reminded of that charismatic Fiesta as I sit on the plush leather seats inside the 2012 model. Compared to his red 1987 five-door, this one feels as luxurious as a Bentley and will take some beating. Before I go any further, there is a confession to make. This, as Sony has mentioned, is the top-spec Titanium trim, which blows the doors off the Yaris and Sonic in terms of extras (and might I add, looks and performance and just about anything else). But, it isn’t under Dh60K like our cover would state. You have to pay a tad more for this one, but, it’d be worth it all the way.
Dh72K gets you a push-button start, heated leather seats, 16in alloys, loads of chrome trim and a tail-gate spoiler to make this, in my opinion, the best of our little bunch. The cheaper Ambiente (Dh58K) gets 15in wheels and cloth-covered seats, but it doesn’t matter as it would still pack a 1.4-litre four-cylinder Duratec Euro V motor, tuned to deliver 96 peppy horses and 125Nm of torque. In short, like the car, the spirit of those old Fords is alive and well. This engine certainly is a feisty performer and, although it’s mated to a four-speed automatic, you won’t miss a row your own. The slush box is silky smooth and never goes hunting for gears.
The Fiesta provides a truly engaging ride and, perhaps more importantly, it feels the most solidly built compared to the other two. The Yaris’s and Sonic’s bodies feels a bit tinny when you rap them with your knuckle. Not so with the Fiesta. Its attractive skin is built from high-strength steels and feels as if it’s built to last. Featuring a neat, slim A-Pillar that forms part of the stylish roof arch, it also doesn’t obscure your visibility. And, in the event of a side impact, Ford says the B-Pillar, a Boron steel component, will retain its structural rigidity. Good to know.
I found the electronic, multi-functional power steering to be crisp and perfectly weighted. With an agile chassis and finely tuned suspension to boot, the bold nose sniffs out corners, tackling them with real gusto. And all the while, the funky Fiesta remains poised throughout.
Ford has been building this car 35 years now. It managed to strike the right balance between practicality and driving pleasure all the way back in 1976. This 2012 model continues that trend but it’s now far, far more polished in every way.
Verdict
Having fun on a budget may sound hard, but, these three hatchbacks prove that you don’t need to break the bank to let the good times roll. So, even if you don’t get that bonus you so desperately crave, worry not for you can head straight to the showroom, slap down a wad of cash and drive home in either one of these. But, which one? Well, they all lack burnout-ability, which always brings a smile to our faces, but they bring something else to the table.
The Yaris is the ubiquitous A-to-B car and hardly ever lets you down. Apart for the wobbly ride, it’s a firm favourite in this region and for good reason. But, it falls short on the fun quotient.
The Sonic looks the part with that cheeky face but is let down by some interior materials. Its 1.6-litre sounds isn’t the most refined when you floor the loud pedal. With a little tweak here and there, it’ll be right up but for now, that leaves us with the Ford — not that we’re complaining. With a properly decent build quality, striking interior and a smooth exterior, the Fiesta trumps the others to claim the bragging rights.
Specs
Fiesta
Engine 1.4-litre four-cyl
Transmission Four-speed auto, FWD
Max power 96bhp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 125Nm @ 4,500rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Dh58,000 (base)
Plus Sprightly engine, great build quality, handling
Minus Rear legroom
Yaris
Engine 1.3-litre four-cyl
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Max power 84bhp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 121Nm @ 4,400rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Dh51,000 (base)
Plus Smooth engine, supple ride, lots of space
Minus Not as fun as the others
Sonic
Engine 1.6-litre four-cyl
Transmission Six-speed auto, FWD
Max power 115bhp
Max torque 155Nm
Top speed 190kph
0-100kph 11.5sec
Price Dh43,000 (base)
Plus Fun looks and fun drive, great price
Minus Engine, build quality
