Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy vs Peugeot 208 GTi & Ford Fiesta ST - pictures

Renault's Clio RS has been a bit of a disappointment when compared to the success of its predecessor. Can a power boost and more tweaks improve things and keep it competitive with the updated Peugeot 208 GTi and Ford's Fiesta ST Mountu

The Clio RS 220 Trophy is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine producing 217bhp. It costs £21,780 in this spec. 

Despite its changes, the Clio still doesn't feel as eager as the Fiesta ST, nor as involving to drive. The Clio does rocket off the line, though, and the torque boost means it's quick in-gear, too. 

Interior is similar to the standard Clio's, but the carbon fibre surrounds for the air vents are a nice touch. The central touchscreen looks impressibe, but other fittings feel cheap and plasticky. 

The Clio is only available with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, whereas the Fiesta and 208 stick to six-speed manuals. 

Renault plays its trump card when it comes to practicality. Its 5-door setup means access to the rear seats is best in this test, but the firm suspension means rear seat passengers might not want to spend too much time in the back, des

A 300-litre boot is the biggest in this test, but the loading lip is quite pronounced. At 1,146 litres, the load capacity with the seats down is the highest here. 

A 20mm lower ride height at the front and 10mm at the rear, plus 40 per cent stiffer springs give the Clio a harder-edged feel on road and track. 

It feels sharper, but despite the extra performance. the flat engine and gearbox combination prove that the base car on which the 220 is based is still not as good as it could be.

Flared wheelarches, large exhaust pipes and roof spoiler set the hardcore Clio apart on the road. 

The Clio has plenty of hardcore visual appeal with a low, hunkered look. 

Trophy badging adds to the newcomer's exclusive appeal.

5-door bodystyle means the Clio is the most practical here, but the Fiesta ST, in our opinion, offers the best combination of regular hatch and back-road rocketship best.

The latest 208 GTi takes the hotter mechanical details from the special 30th Anniversary model, but now combines these with the luxury and quality of the regular 208. The model tested here is the 205bhp, £21,995 208 GTi by Peugeot Spor

It's powered by a 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo engine that loves to rev. It's good fun to hustle along quickly and the combination of willing engine, sweet manual gearbox, precise steering and a firm but nicely damped ride means the Peugeot is

The GTi's cabin is the most stylish in this test, with higher-quality materials and standard Alcantara seats. The touchscreen integrates well into the dashboard, but we still have issues with the unusual i-Cockpit layout.

Pushing the wheels to the extremes of the body does mean there's a reasonable amount of space inside, but access to the rear seats is a little cramped.

The 208's load bay is 285 litres - the smallest here - and is 743 litres with the rear seats folded. 

The small steering wheel means the GTi's steering is fast, and with a lower ride height and wider front and rear axles, tuned suspension and sticky tyres, the 208 is very grippy in the corners.

The 208 has good traction out of bends, but it will wash wide if you go too hot into a corner. Trim some speed on the way in, though, and you'll be able to plant the accelerator and be much faster on the way out.

Matt grey body paint really stands out on the Peugeot and won't suit everyone, but it does fit well with the car's sharper lines.

New, claw-like rear lights, large alloys and special paintwork means the 208 GTi really stands out over the standard models.

Peugeot Sport badging is a nice nod to the iconic 205 GTi.

The Ford Fiesta is our reigning compact hot hatch champ, and it's back for another fight against the Renault and Peugeot. Here we test the ST-3 Mountune with 212bhp. It costs £20,144. 

With the Mountune upgrades, Ford's pocket rocket packs a bigger punch. Power is up from 180bhp to 212bhp, and with 320Nm of torque, it's no surprise this is the fastest car here. 

The Fiesta's interior is starting to feel dated, but quality is decent and there's lots of standard kit, including sat-nav. 

The three-door layout of the Fiesta doesn't hurt practicality as much as you might think. The long doors open wide and the front seat folds well forward, so there's decent room to get into the back.

Boot space is adequate, but not great when compared to the more spacious Clio.

Body control is great, which allows you to adjust the car's balance with lots of confidence if you want to. The steering is as crisp as the engine and serves up beautiful, detailed feedback. 

The car's suspension offers so much control and grip that you can enter corners at incredible speeds. It's also very comfortable at all speeds meaning you can use the ST's power to full advantage all of the time.

Our ST test car looks great in its Race Red paintwork, and for an extra £275 you can add Ford's Style Pack. This brings 17-inch alloys, illuminated sill plates and red brake calipers to match the bodywork.

The standard Fiesta is already sleek, so the additon of side skirts, bumpers and rear spoiler helps to give the ST an even more rakish appearance. Sporty extras look natural on this car, too.

Small Mountune badge on the rear of the car is the only clue that this model is more powerful than the standard ST.