Today on the Top Ten Auto Show, Dave Lee Travis goes through the countdown of the top ten hatchbacks of 2001, as voted for by the Men & Motors panel of experts from top auto magazines!
Which hatchback deserves the top spot?
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Which hatchback deserves the top spot?
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
------------------
Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menandmotors/
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
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MotorTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:30 Hello, this is Dave Lee Travis, and welcome to my Top 10 Auto
00:34 Show.
00:35 Each week, we look at the top 10 vehicles
00:36 from the different automotive categories,
00:38 as voted by our panel of experts from the top UK auto magazines.
00:43 This week, we're taking a look at the top 10 hatchbacks
00:46 of 2001.
00:52 First off, at number 10 is the cutie car, the Vauxhall Corsa.
00:57 The best asset of the Vauxhall Corsa
00:59 was always its good looks, and the sales figures
01:02 benefited by it.
01:03 But while it has the looks on the outside,
01:05 the interior didn't impress Richard Hammond.
01:08 Tarte de boudoir, I think, is the best way to call it.
01:11 If you like things flash, you'll love it.
01:14 If you're a fan of subtlety, or dare I say, quality, you won't.
01:19 The plastics are mismatched.
01:20 There's about 15 shades of gray in here.
01:23 There's more textures than can possibly be necessary.
01:25 And I'm sorry, this car is only a few thousand miles old,
01:28 and already it's showing signs of wear and scratches.
01:30 Put another 30,000, 40,000 miles on this,
01:32 and it will be a sack of spanners.
01:34 But even though it was popular, the cutie Corsa
01:37 never really gave much competition
01:38 when it came to appeal behind the wheel.
01:41 The latest edition has taken heed of this,
01:43 and has made many improvements, but also some blunders.
01:47 Considering it's a car that I've never
01:48 associated with high tech, it's a surprise
01:51 to find the Corsa boasting the most sophisticated gearbox
01:54 of the three, the EZtronic.
01:56 Basically, it's another of these systems.
01:58 You slide the gear lever across into A for automatic,
02:02 and it's an automatic.
02:03 Or you can slide it, knock it across once,
02:05 and you can move it plus or minus
02:07 as you change up and down the gears.
02:09 Honest opinion, total waste of time.
02:13 The automatic gearbox isn't particularly smooth.
02:15 You'll get bored of going, ooh, first, ooh, second, ooh, first.
02:18 You're not really changing gear.
02:19 It's just a switch on an automatic gearbox.
02:22 Sorry, Vauxhall, can't see the point.
02:24 Stick to an automatic or a manual, one or the other.
02:26 So Richard, to sum up.
02:29 Boy and girl racers alike will prefer the Corsa from Vauxhall.
02:33 I love its edgy styling, and it's quite nippy.
02:35 Others will think that, frankly, it's a little bit tacky.
02:38 Well, as a wise man said, you can't please all the people
02:41 all of the time.
02:43 [MUSIC PLAYING]
02:46 In at number nine is the up and coming hatchback
03:05 from Malaysia, the Proton Satria.
03:08 I'm sure the people at Vauxhall will
03:10 be horrified to find their Corsa scoring lower than the Proton.
03:13 But I would think that the people at Proton
03:15 are getting pretty sick of their Satria being knocked just
03:18 because it lacks a trendy badge.
03:20 The Proton Satria is based on Mitsubishi's previous generation
03:23 Colt hatchback.
03:24 So if you're looking for something new,
03:27 you won't find it here.
03:28 What you will find is a very decent car
03:30 at a reasonable price and with a great warranty.
03:33 The technology may not be cutting edge, but it is proven.
03:37 So is there anything new on Proton Satria?
03:40 Yes, the 1.8 GTI chassis from Lotus.
03:45 OK, so it's a little bit garish, perhaps.
03:47 But come on, this is a GTI.
03:49 It's a hot hatch.
03:49 That's what we want.
03:50 If you want subtle and understated, go buy a Rover.
03:55 If sporty little touches are your thing, though,
03:57 this has got to be the place to be.
03:58 It's got every single styling key you could find on a hot
04:01 hatch-- chrome gear knob, little chrome bolts and rivets
04:04 everywhere, little chrome pedals down here by my muddy feet,
04:08 and these spectacularly comfortable Recaro seats.
04:11 But surely Proton can't make a fun GTI, can they?
04:15 The Proton is loud, very loud, most of it through road noise.
04:19 The steering is fast and direct with plenty of feel,
04:21 and the same can be said for the brakes.
04:23 Once you discover that most of the power
04:25 is actually in a narrow mid-range band,
04:27 then it's very easy to exploit it.
04:30 As for the rest of the Satria range,
04:31 well, it may not be cutting edge,
04:33 but the price tag is relatively low for its class.
04:36 It is cheap, but not nasty.
04:38 But it's not the top of its range, either.
04:40 It's comfortably in the middle-- a sensible choice
04:43 if you want to be sensible.
04:44 Number eight is the Toyota Yaris.
04:59 As the TV ad says, they've rewritten the script,
05:02 and it's a good job, as the name Yaris sounds far more serious
05:05 than Starlet, the car the Yaris replaces.
05:09 The Yaris may have come number eight in our top 10,
05:11 but that's voted on by our expert panel.
05:14 And the great British car buying public thought differently.
05:17 In the recent JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey,
05:20 car owners voted the Yaris number one.
05:23 And that's not just in the hatchback category,
05:25 but over all cars sold in the UK.
05:27 So what did our average Joe, Richard Hammond,
05:30 think of the Yaris?
05:32 Some of the plastics used in here,
05:33 though, aren't exactly inspirational.
05:35 But the standard of finish is perfectly decent.
05:37 And being a Toyota, I'm sure it will last a long time.
05:40 It is never going to be the prettiest interior.
05:42 Clever, though, we've got things like this long distance
05:45 rev counter and speeder, which means you don't actually
05:47 have to refocus.
05:48 You can just glance your eyes down, read it,
05:50 and back up without refocusing the distance
05:53 that you're looking at.
05:54 Sounds like a gimmick.
05:55 Actually works once you've got used to it.
05:57 It makes good use of the available space,
05:59 mostly through its sliding back seat, which
06:02 can provide comfortable legroom in the rear
06:04 or give extra boot space.
06:06 There's also plenty of headroom, thanks to the high roof, which
06:08 gives the impression that the Yaris is more like a mini MPV.
06:13 The Yaris is built on good foundations,
06:15 although the suspension and steering
06:16 are currently set for comfort.
06:18 There's potential in the chassis for more.
06:20 But let's go back to Richard for the last word.
06:23 The Yaris's eccentricity is both its strength and its downfall.
06:26 Some will love it.
06:27 Others will think, well, it's just plain loopy, isn't it?
06:29 [MUSIC PLAYING]
06:33 At number seven is the first French hatch in our top 10,
06:53 the Renault Clio.
06:54 The Clio has always been popular,
06:56 but Renault has been recently tweaked
06:58 to help it keep up with new cars on the market.
07:00 In fact, it's more than just a tweak,
07:02 as up to 50% of the new Clio is different to the old one.
07:07 The new Clio is bigger than its predecessor,
07:09 but lacks headroom.
07:10 However, if you're not bothered about interior space,
07:13 but do want power and speed, then
07:15 Glenda Mackay has the Clio for you.
07:18 Now, to most of us, me included, the Renault Clio
07:21 is a little French shopping trolley.
07:24 It's the perfect run-around accompaniment to his Beam,
07:26 apart from the gravel drive.
07:28 I mean, the kit on this car looks a bit
07:30 like it's from a Star Wars film.
07:32 And believe it or not, there isn't even a back seat.
07:36 The lovely little run-around engine
07:37 has been replaced by some throbbing great V6.
07:40 To be honest, I wouldn't want to be seen dead driving
07:42 around in a car like this.
07:43 [MUSIC PLAYING]
07:46 But what about the more practicable and affordable
07:55 Clios?
07:56 Well, the benchmark for specification is quite high,
07:59 with ABS, power steering, four airbags, central locking,
08:03 remote stereo controls, and rain-sensing wipers
08:06 as standard.
08:06 You do get your money's worth.
08:08 [MUSIC PLAYING]
08:11 At number six is the latest incarnation of the Honda Civic.
08:24 The Civic is now on its seventh generation.
08:27 And after selling a whopping 13 and 1/2 million
08:30 of the last six models, so why have Honda
08:33 felt they need to update it?
08:34 Well, it's just a bit boring, isn't it?
08:38 No, not anymore.
08:40 Honda are now aiming the Civic towards a younger market
08:43 and have made changes accordingly.
08:45 Well, Honda haven't been quite as brave in here.
08:48 It's a bit dark, and there is far too much black plastic.
08:52 Why do manufacturers keep on using it?
08:54 Because it just looks awful.
08:56 What they have done, though, is rearrange things.
08:58 It's very streamlined, and everything
09:00 does feel very good quality.
09:02 There are a couple of unusual touches as well,
09:05 like this strangely positioned gear stick,
09:08 familiar to people that drive an MPV or a van,
09:11 but very unusual in a hatchback.
09:13 Apparently, as well as freeing up some floor space down there,
09:16 its closeness to the steering wheel
09:18 means that it's easier to change gear.
09:21 The seats in the back, however, are too low,
09:24 meaning you have to stretch your legs out.
09:25 But there isn't enough room for that.
09:28 Standard equipment is generous, with excellent air conditioning,
09:31 powered steering, and electric windows to list a few.
09:34 If you're going to do most of your driving around town,
09:37 then the Civic would not be a bad choice at all.
09:39 As for the open road, you'll find agile handling
09:42 and class-leading grip and feedback, but no excitement.
09:46 Put it this way, you won't be getting out
09:48 of a Civic with a big smile on your face,
09:51 unless you're driving the R-Type, of course.
09:53 But I'll let Ginny Buckley have the last word.
09:55 I've got to say, I think this seventh-generation Civic
10:01 will win itself lots of new friends.
10:04 The question is, would I buy one?
10:06 I mean, I'm just the kind of person that Honda are trying to attract.
10:10 I've got to say, I think I would.
10:12 It's a good-value car, it's good quality,
10:15 and what's more, I even like the way it looks.
10:18 Oh, no. A Honda Civic. I'm getting old.
10:21 (MUSIC)
10:24 In at number five is the Audi A3.
10:44 Despite being built on the platform of the Golf Mk4,
10:47 the A3 is definitely an Audi inside and out.
10:50 The Audi looks, image, quality build and interior
10:54 are all superb with the A3.
10:56 (MUSIC)
10:59 And for an extra grand, you can make your A3 more...grand
11:15 with leather interior.
11:16 The drive, however, is still considered to be impassive and remote,
11:20 despite improvements, which includes Audi's electronic stability programme,
11:24 which is now standard on all A3s.
11:27 (MUSIC)
11:30 Value for money is definitely A3's strong point.
11:48 These Audis have been holding on well up to 58% of their prices,
11:52 and so make a good investment.
11:54 The diesel A3 is also amazingly cheap to run,
11:57 with up to a staggering 57 miles to the gallon.
12:00 (MUSIC)
12:03 What we're looking for here is fun,
12:15 which the Audi A3 delivers in huge quantities.
12:18 And it may sound an odd thing to say about an Audi over a Peugeot,
12:21 but the A3 will in fact be the cheaper car to run over a longer term.
12:25 All of which means if you're in the market for a hot hatch like this,
12:29 then something like this must be a realistic value for money alternative.
12:33 (MUSIC)
12:37 (MUSIC)
12:40 Hello, this is Dave Lee Travis, and welcome to my Top Ten Auto Show.
13:02 This week, we're taking a look at the top ten hatchbacks of 2001.
13:06 (MUSIC)
13:09 At number four, Citroën Saxo.
13:14 Thanks to a recent facelift, the Saxo has moved on,
13:17 visually at least, from the 106 on which it's based.
13:20 Change is mostly sent around a new dashboard and exterior.
13:24 There's a massive amount of room. It's a typical hatch.
13:26 Convenient, everything to hand, a nice size, you can see out clearly,
13:30 and it's warm and dry.
13:31 But beauty is only skin deep, and underneath this Citroën,
13:35 a Peugeot heart still beats, and beats very well.
13:38 You're sat inside a hot hatch, but in fact, apart from the nice blue dials,
13:42 you wouldn't really know there was anything hot about it at all.
13:44 You're just sat in an ordinary car.
13:45 It's not until you mash the right pedal do you realise this thing is very fast indeed.
13:50 Front wheel drive, so it's a totally different experience, and it is extremely quick.
13:54 It's typical hot hatchery in here. All the power going to the front wheels,
13:57 they're only too ready to brake, traction, and spin.
14:00 It goes round corners incredibly quickly.
14:03 The Saxo is, however, a nippy little thing.
14:06 Handling on even the basic Saxos is good, but for real fun, look at the performance models.
14:11 The 1.1 litre is perfect for getting around in, and fun if the road from A to B is a windy one.
14:17 The 1.6 VTS with its 16 valves gives an exciting ride as it gets you to 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
14:25 Some of what you want from your hot hatch.
14:27 [Music]
14:40 At number three is the Volkswagen Golf.
14:43 Being Europe's best-selling car, the Golf is both a popular car for the masses
14:47 and a chic must-have for those who consider that kind of thing important.
14:52 This one is mark four, and no, that's not the speed.
14:56 Okay, bad jokes aside, this is the fourth Golf to come from Volkswagen,
15:00 and it comes with a feeling of quality that's the envy of others.
15:04 The interior is very stylish and ergonomic.
15:06 The solid fascia is simple and chunky, and comes in a range of colours other than just black.
15:11 And on the road...
15:12 This is a great, if somewhat noisy car to travel smoothly and sedately round town in.
15:18 But, put your foot down, and it'll respond quite eagerly.
15:24 Get it out onto the country roads, work your way through the notchy six-speed gearbox,
15:28 and you're going to be having a lot of fun.
15:30 Despite having excellent fuel consumption, an admirable 54 miles to the gallon on the 1.9 TDI,
15:36 and equally impressive resale value, the pricing of the new Golf lets it down.
15:41 Now, when the Golf was launched, it was supposed to have mass market appeal, which it did have.
15:47 But, somewhere along the way, VW forgot that philosophy,
15:50 because at a tad under £17,000, this car is now encroaching on BMW 3 Series territory.
15:57 But, VW still insists on marketing it against the likes of the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra.
16:02 So, this Golf has got twice as many competitors as all of its rivals,
16:07 which can outdo the Golf on most things, including the price.
16:11 [Music]
16:29 At number two is the Peugeot 206.
16:32 It's had to be the son of a successful father,
16:35 and that's probably how the 206 feels when it's constantly compared to the 205,
16:39 the car which was great in its day, but even better in people's memories.
16:43 But, you're not getting the 205 back, so stop going on about it.
16:47 [Music]
16:51 It may well be able to trace its line directly back to one of the original small hot hatches,
16:56 but the 206 GTI feels about as big as the factory that they built the original 205 in.
17:03 But, that said, once you are in here, it's a very nicely understated cabin.
17:07 It does feel very well designed, with lots of nice touches.
17:10 I do like the sporty little instrument binnacle and the little chrome gear lever.
17:14 So, why, oh, why do we have a reappearance of this awful textured plastic?
17:19 It looks cheap and feels nasty and tacky.
17:22 I do like the suede effect and leather, though, it's very sporty.
17:26 Ironically, the 206 is built in Britain and exported back to France.
17:30 Like the Ford Focus, the 206 scored top marks on Euro NCAP crash tests,
17:36 along with the usual safety features the 206 also has automatic unlocking doors in the event of impact,
17:43 a panic button in the centre console for central locking,
17:46 and pyrotechnically pre-tensioned front seat belts.
17:49 The ride is soft and comfortable and the controls are very light and easy to use.
17:54 But, hang on, this is a hot hatch. The old 205 felt like a go-kart.
17:59 This begins to feel perhaps a little too grown up.
18:03 The light steering could be seen to be remote and rather distant.
18:07 Whereas in the 205 you felt every bump and ripple in the road through the controls,
18:11 the brakes, in particular on the 206, though very effective, could be operated by somebody else's feet.
18:17 So, to sum up, the 206 is very good.
18:21 It just doesn't have the same satisfying thrill the 205 did, but it wouldn't, would it?
18:27 Before we find out what is the number one hatchback of 2001,
18:31 let's run down the top ten so far from ten to two.
18:35 In at number ten, beauty is only skin deep with this cutie, the Vauxhall Corsa.
18:43 At number nine, better than you think, all the way from Malaysia, the Proton Satria.
18:48 At number eight is the JD Prado.
18:51 At number seven, 50% newer than the old one, the Renault Clio.
18:56 In at number six, they even moved the gear stick to make extra room, the Honda Civic.
19:01 At number five, based on the VW Golf, but unmistakably an Audi, the A3.
19:06 And at number four, it's a 106 underneath, but on top it's a Citroen Saxo.
19:11 At number three, Europe's best-selling car, the Audi A3.
19:15 At number four, the Audi A3.
19:18 And at number five, the Citroen Saxo.
19:21 At number three, Europe's best-selling car, the Volkswagen Golf.
19:25 And at number two, from the creators of the hot hatch, the Peugeot 206.
19:29 And so, on to the number one hatchback of 2001,
19:32 as voted for by our panel of auto experts from the UK's top automotive magazines.
19:37 When updating the Escort, Ford discovered that they had created a whole new car,
19:47 and decided it needed a whole new name, and so called it the Focus.
19:51 The bold new body shape is not a typical Ford style, and not to everyone's taste,
19:56 but despite this, the Focus is selling very well, leading the field as the best in its class.
20:01 Whether or not you like the exterior is going to be the deciding factor in whether you like the interior,
20:08 because it's quite obvious that Ford's outside body designers and inside designers
20:12 all sit next to one another in the canteen,
20:14 because they've got together and brought just about every styling design cue from the outside inside.
20:20 Personally, I don't like it. I think it's trying too hard.
20:24 There's lines and slatters and curves and ovals everywhere,
20:27 but in its defense, it works. Everything falls to hand.
20:31 So ergonomically, top marks. Style-wise, you'll love it or hate it.
20:35 The ride and handling are exceptional, a feeling that's felt all the way through to the quality build.
20:40 Inside, Doctor Who would feel very at home.
20:43 There's bags of room, more than you'd think, thanks to the intelligent way space is utilized.
20:48 They don't come much more family-orientated than this particular hatchback,
20:53 so obviously practicality and economics are important, but also those safety features.
20:57 The fact that it's done so well whenever it's been tested for crash safety is extremely important,
21:02 and more and more people are deciding their car purchases in this sector by safety.
21:08 That should make the Focus a bit of a winner.
21:11 There's a long list of engines available for the Focus,
21:20 giving the buyer the greatest amount of choice to decide what's best to suit their needs.
21:24 However, with so many options, it may prove confusing to some.
21:28 All in all, the Focus is a great drive and a very competitive package, a real winner from Ford.
21:34 [Music]
21:41 This is Dave Lee Travis saying thanks for watching.
21:44 See you next week for the chart of the top ten performance cars.
21:47 [Music]
22:07 [Music]
22:17 (bell dings)