Compact hatch comparison
In the not-so-distant past, Opel was a contender for the hot hatch crown, taking on behemoth Volkswagen as the local compact hatch of choice for young thrill seekers. The brand has grown since its amalgamation into the Stellantis group and is now seemingly a contender for the European premium hatch title. It competes against stablemates Peugeot and Citroen and another Euro brand, Renault.
Related: Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line (2024) Quick Review
The Renault Clio has also been a left-field contender for many years, with South Africans eschewing the brand due to perceptions about the reliability of French-made cars. Nowadays, Renault has sorted out these problems and is solidly competing for the compact hatch title in markets worldwide. Locally, these left-field choices are still popular for young and old alike, but how does Opel stack up against Renault?
Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens (2022) Review
Drivetrain
| Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens | |
| Engine | 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol | 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 5-speed manual |
| Power Figures | 96kW / 230Nm | 74kW / 160Nm |
Fuel Consumption
| Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens | |
| Claimed fuel consumption | 6.3 L / 100km | 5.7 L / 100km |
| Actual consumption (combined cycle) | 7.0 L / 100km | 7.3 L / 100km |
| Tank Size (litres) | 44 | 42 |
| Distance on a full tank | 698km | 737km |
| Top Speed | 208km/h | 187km/h |
Safety
| Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens | |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Stability Control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Camera | Rear only | Rear only |
| PDC (Park Distance Control) | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| ADAS system | Yes | No |
| Cruise control | Yes | Yes |
| Lane Keep Assist | Yes | Yes |
| HUD (Heads Up Display) | No | No |
| Keyless Entry | Yes | Yes |
| LED Lighting | Yes | Yes |
Practicality
| Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens | |
| Load space (litres) | 309 - 1081 | 391 - 1069 |
| Towing capacity, braked/unbraked | 615kg unbraked & 1650kg braked | 900kg braked - unrated |
| Seating | 5 adults | 5 adults |
| Sunroof | No | No |
Pricing
| Opel Corsa 1.2T Lite | R 379 500 | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Life | R 282 999 |
| Opel Corsa 1.2T Edition | R 398 500 | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen | R 297 999 |
| Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line | R 469 500 | Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens | R 337 999 |
Opel offers a 5-year / 100,000 km warranty and a 3-year / 45,000 km service plan, while Renault offers a 5-year / 150,000 km vehicle warranty and a 2-year / 30 000 km service plan.
Verdict
These two top-spec models from each stable are similar in standard specification. The Corsa does feel like a more complete package overall. It is more expensive, but you do get more power, better drive dynamics, and a few more features as standard. The Clio is a solid choice if you aren't overly concerned with power and dynamics. The 100k premium for the Corsa may be a deciding factor, but either vehicle will serve perfectly fine.
