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Car group tests

VW Scirocco vs Peugeot RCZ

Updated VW Scirocco blends good looks with more power, and faces the Peugeot RCZ in this test

If you want some stylish thrills in your life, but don’t fancy a hot hatch, then a compact coupe should fit the bill. 

The Volkswagen Scirocco has been turning heads since 2008, and with the rest of the company’s line-up getting an update, bosses decided that the three-door coupe could do with a revamp, too. There are subtle changes inside and out, while the engine range has been tuned to combine efficiency and performance. 

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For this test, we’ve lined up a 148bhp 2.0 TDI in racy R Line trim, and we’re pitching it against a rival that offers a similar mix of head-turning looks and frugal running costs. The Peugeot RCZ was updated in 2013, and while the flagship RCZ R pushes performance to new levels, the diesel model still provides decent running costs and long-distance refinement.

So, has VW done enough for the Scirocco to be crowned king of the coupes? Or does the RCZ still hold sufficient appeal to stay ahead?

VW Scirocco review

Peugeot RCZ review 

Read individual reviews by clicking on the links above, and read on to find out which coupe takes class honours in this test...

Head-to-head

Design

They’re both coupes, but the Scirocco and RCZ couldn’t be more different in their looks. It’s at the back where the big differences lie.

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The VW has a rear end that resembles a shrunken hatchback, while the Peugeot looks sportier with its concave glass and silver roof rails. It also features a pop-up spoiler to boost stability at speed. It rises as you pass 52mph, or when you press a button on the dash, but spoils the car’s clean lines.

Handling

Both cars are fun to drive, although the heavy diesels in their noses mean they’re not quite as sharp as their petrol siblings and tend to understeer more readily. The RCZ feels slightly sharper than the Scirocco, although if you go for VW’s £810 adaptive dampers, handling gets a boost.

Running costs

Coupes aren’t usually a sensible choice when it comes to frugal running costs, although choosing a diesel will help to reduce your outgoings. The Scirocco promises lower emissions, so tax costs are cheaper for private and business users alike, while both cars have decent residual predictions.

Verdict

1st place: Peugeot RCZ

While it’s not as efficient or as spacious as the Scirocco, the RCZ makes up for that with stunning looks and an involving driving experience. The diesel model isn’t as focused as the petrol versions – it’s better suited to motorway cruising and fast A-roads than twisty stuff – but it has a real feelgood factor that puts it ahead of the Scirocco. Running costs are high, although it’s a price worth paying if you want a desirable coupe.

2nd place: VW Scirocco

The updated Scirocco has some positive points. The revised diesel delivers great efficiency and performance, and this is a coupe that you can seriously consider using four up. However, if you’re going to do that, then you may as well buy a three-door hatchback. Compared with the latest Golf Mk7, the Scirocco feels heavy in corners, while the looks don’t quite have the same sports car appeal as the racy RCZ.

VW Scirocco vs Peugeot RCZ: key specs

 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 163 GTVolkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI 150 R Line 
On the road price/total as tested£26,350/£29,210£27,020/£29,020
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)£12,437/47.2%£13,375/49.5%
Depreciation£13,913£13,645
Annual tax liability std/higher rate£1,204/£2,407£917/£1,834
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)£1,843/£3,071£1,572/£2,619
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost30/£363/E/£13027/£363/B/£20
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service£16.99p/m (3yrs/30k)£288 (2yrs)
   
Length/wheelbase4,290/2,612mm4,256/2,578mm
Height/width1,362/1,780mm1,406/1,810mm
Engine4cyl in-line/1,997cc4cyl in-line/1,968cc
Peak power/revs 163/4,000 bhp/rpm148/3,500 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs 320/2,000 Nm/rpm340/1,750 Nm/rpm
Transmission 6-spd man/fwd6-spd man/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel55 litres/repair kit55 litres/space saver
Boot capacity (seats up/down)309 litres/N/A312/1,006 litres
Kerbweight/payload1,474/294kg1,375/480kg
Turning circle10.6 metres11.0 metres
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery3yrs (unlimited)/1yr3yrs (60,000)/1yr
Service intervals/UK dealers20,000 miles (1yr)/300Variable/223
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.14th/9th19th/31st
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./starsN/A87/73/53/5
   
0-60/30-70mph8.0/7.5 secs7.9/7.1 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th3.3/5.0 secs3.5/5.8 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th6.1/8.0 secs7.0/9.9 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph 137mph/2,000rpm134mph/1,800rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.9/35.4/9.4m47.0/34.6/8.8m
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph63/43/60/69dB65/50/62/71dB
Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range39.4/8.7/477 miles46.2/10.2/559 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 42.8/65.7/54.3mpg56.5/74.3/67.3mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 9.4/14.5/11.9mpl12.4/16.3/14.8mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket192/135g/km/23%164/109g/km/17%
   
Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/cameraFour/yes/yes/noSix/yes/yes/£185
Automatic box/stability/cruise controlNo/yes/yes£1,500/yes/£245
Climate control/leather/heated seatsYes/yes/yesYes/yes/yes
Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go£520/£680/no£535/£1,010/£360
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth£735/yes/no/yesYes/yes/yes/yes
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