4 Sporty new hatchbacks for trendy city dwellers

 By Ané Theron

The local launch circuit has been busy the last few months! Here are four exciting new hatchbacks for every budget.

 

Which new hatchback has your name on it?

1. Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL Manual, R175 900

The Swift has a rock-solid reputation of a reliable and fun first-time car, and the latest Swift has even more to offer with regards to stylish looks and a generous specification level. But, it's the drive that makes the Swift so alluring, and fits in with Suzuki's 'Driver First' philosophy. Perfectly sprung to feel comfortable over bumpy roads but hard enough to still feel sporty, the Swift is a dynamic little car that has a good amount of oomph for its 1.2-litre engine size (62Nm/113kW), with light, direct steering. The fact that it's nearly a 100 kilos lighter than its predecessor helps the dynamics quite a bit too. Build quality is solid, and the cabin materials look and feel upmarket. Some welcome improvements include a sporty steering wheel and redesigned front seats that offer firmer support. Suzuki has also angled the centre console towards the driver and fitted the speedometer and rev counter in separate housings "to accentuate the vehicle’s nature as a driver’s car." The wheels could have been a little bigger for added stability, though.

The size of the boot has been increased to a very usable 268 litres, and rear passengers have more head and elbow room. The GL models get an audio system with Bluetooth (and satellite controls on the steering wheel) and a USB port, as well as electrically adjustable side view mirrors. Yep, pretty much everything an urban commuter will need - but, while there's still no traction/stability control, the Swift does get ABS and EBD as well as brake assist and two frontal airbags.

2.Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport, R312 900

The most practical of our hatchbacks on this list, Honda's magic seats don't disappoint. The 'magic' lies in the fact that you can tumble the rear seats completely forward or to the rear, which is fantastic when having to transport a kid's bike or other oddly-shaped objects. But apart from that, the Jazz has all the right ingredients to be the ideal urban family companion. It offers a very decent amount of space for the kids or adults in the back, a logical and user-friendly dashboard layout, lively Type R interior accents, superb Honda build quality all-round, and safety features that give it a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. It may not be as much fun to drive as the Swift, but in reality I've perceived it as being more about comfort and tech than anything else. With a brand new 1.5-litre engine, you do have sufficient power: Maximum power output is a very decent 97 kW at 6 600 r/min, with an accompanying torque peak of 155 Nm at 4 600 r/min. But, don't throw its nose into every corner and expect it to behave like the track-ready Renault Clio R.S. we'll be discussing next. However, if you like your cars to be multi-functional, ultra-reliable, safe, and quite tech-heavy, the Jazz is an excellent buy. Read Chad Lückhoff's road test here.

3. Renault Clio R.S. 18 F1, R449 900

Do you need your car to have much zest, attitude and sheer athleticism as you? Then the latest limited Edition Renault Clio R.S. is your woman. Black, sleek, svelte, and specced to the brim with features, driving the R.S. makes every commute an adventure. And just sitting inside the luxurious cabin is just as pleasant.

Powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine and featuring a lowered and stiffened Trophy chassis, the new Clio R.S. 18 is a force to be reckoned with. It even comes with launch control!

Also, there's an R.S. Drive button that gives you three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Race.  According to the mode, R.S. Drive alters the steering feel, throttle sensitivity, gearbox mapping, and stability control, giving you just the kind of drive you need.

The engine delivers a hearty 162kW at 6,050rpm and torque of 280 Nm is reached from just 2,000 rpm. Whether you're a track fiend or just a 'dynamism enthusiast', the R.S. will keep you smiling for years to come. Look after it well and it may just become a highly coveted collector's item in the future.

Read Chad Lückhoff's launch report here.

4. Mercedes-Benz A200 Style, R500 012

That is a lot to pay for an entry-level A-Class, is it not...but have you seen how stunning it looks? And apart from just that, Merc's new A-Class really sets the technology benchmark with its class-leading MBUX system, which replaces Merc's COMAND online system, still doing service in the other models. Agreed, it will take some time getting used to and it's not perfect (yet), but there are very few compact cars that come with this level of technology at the moment.

While you still have to pay for all the cool semi-autonomous tech, the voice-controlled MBUX-system comes standard, which enables you to give the system commands in a casual manner, if you don't feel like accessing it via the (optional) track pad, S-Class steering wheel buttons or touch screen. In connection with the Mercedes Me app, there are a multitude of intelligent features available, such as finding the perfect restaurant or hotel (as rated on TripAdvisor). And with Active Brake Assist, a serious accident can be prevented if you've not been paying attention to the road in front of you. This function will bring your A-Class to a stop if you don't see that vehicle/cyclist/pedestrian in time.

The glamorous cabin is a modern mix of S- and E-Class features and shiny surfaces, so even if you spec nothing extra, your A-Class will continue to impress yourself and others. While the new 1.33-litre engine (120kW/250Nm) is not the most frugal, it gets the job done nicely and there's a bigger boot that accommodates 29 litres more luggage, should you not be the lightest of travellers. Opulence on wheels!

Read the new A-Class driving impression here.