Skip advert
Advertisement

Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup vs Peugeot Partner Teepee

Stripped-out Renaultsport flier is a top-value hot hatch. Would you let your head choose the Peugeot MPV instead?

Pace or practicality. Once again, that’s the choice we face in our £15,000 category, but the extra money gives a significant step forward on both counts. Fighting for the heart at £14,995 is Renaultsport’s Clio 197 Cup. It’s a supermini – but with its spacious cabin, 197bhp 2.0-litre engine and sparkling dynamics, it competes with hot hatches from the class above.

Advertisement - Article continues below

And for the head? Few cars at any price are more practical than Peugeot’s Partner Teepee. At £14,645, the Outdoor 1.6 HDi 90 provides 49.5mpg potential and acres of space.

Our choices couldn’t look more different. The Renault has flared front wheelarches, black alloys and a diffuser at the back. It’s as racy as the Peugeot is boxy – but the Teepee has the last laugh in terms of versatility. To climb into the back of the Clio you have to squeeze through the front door and behind its sporty bucket seats.

In the Teepee, you simply slide the huge rear doors to expose three individual back seats and a vast cabin. Getting in couldn’t be simpler, and luggage space is impressive, too. With the rear seats in place, there’s a 675-litre boot; tumble them forwards, and this increases to 3,000 litres. In contrast, the Renault provides 288 and 1,028 litres respectively.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Civic Tourer

2015 Honda

Civic Tourer

23,617 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £12,178
View Civic Tourer
Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

11,209 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £21,199
View Astra
EcoSport

2019 Ford

EcoSport

16,963 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View EcoSport
Grandland X

2020 Vauxhall

Grandland X

45,973 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,495
View Grandland X

The Peugeot also features a raft of cubbies, and if you add the £550 Zenith Roof option, you get four glass panels in the ceiling, plus airliner-inspired storage lockers. Upright seats mean visibility is excellent all-round, and Outdoor trim brings raised suspension with underbody protection, making it ideal for family camping trips.

The lofty ride height does the handling no favours. While body control is decent for such a tall-sided vehicle, the Teepee trails the Renault by a long way through corners. The Clio’s Cup chassis is stiff and offers superb grip, while the excellent steering and slick gearshift are hot hatch hallmarks. Predictably, the ride is firm – and this is where the Teepee comes into its own.

While the Renault is hard and unyielding, the Peugeot glides over bumps and ruts. Only wind noise from around its lorry-sized door mirrors disturbs the peace. Getting up to speed in the Teepee takes time, however. The sprint from 0-62mph is dispatched in 14.3 seconds – more than twice as long as the Clio, which has a six-second time. If you want greater pace from your Peugeot, there’s also a 107bhp version of the 1.6-litre HDi. But it costs an extra £1,000 – blowing our £15,000 budget.

One of these cars provides thrilling dynamics and makes onlookers envious; the other is so practical and competitively priced, you wonder why people bother with traditional family models. So which gets the nod?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £16,100
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025