Ford, Peugeot and Renault have all heated up the competition in the supermini segment. And we say "supermini" in a very liberal sort of way, because their contenders are not very "mini".
We're talking about the new Captur crossover from Renault, which also doubles as a practical MPV, the Cli Estate also available as a 120 hp hot hatch, the Peugeot 2008 crossover and the new Ford EcoSport subcompact crossover and B-MAX MPV.
Volkswagen is, for lack of a better word, trailing behind them. The only subcompact cars it offers are versions of the Polo, all based around only two body shells, a 3-door and a 5-door.
At the same time, sister companies SEAT and Skoda both offer estate versions of their superminis. They've also got the new Rapid/Toledo sedans which are kind of in-between models, bigger than the B-segment but smaller than the C-segment.
Somehow, Volkswagen has forgotten to innovate in this segment, maybe because it's been too focused on long wheelbase sedans and SUVs for China and the US.
Volkswagen is, for lack of a better word, trailing behind them. The only subcompact cars it offers are versions of the Polo, all based around only two body shells, a 3-door and a 5-door.
At the same time, sister companies SEAT and Skoda both offer estate versions of their superminis. They've also got the new Rapid/Toledo sedans which are kind of in-between models, bigger than the B-segment but smaller than the C-segment.
Somehow, Volkswagen has forgotten to innovate in this segment, maybe because it's been too focused on long wheelbase sedans and SUVs for China and the US.