Few arguments in the Auto Trader offices get as heated as the question over which is the top hot hatch.
Stuart is a big fan of the Ford Focus ST, but I’m not convinced. I always thought that the second generation Focus sapped all the style from the original, and the pumped-up ST looks like mutton dressed as lamb compared to the edgy Focus RS (our Used Car of the Year Award winner).
I’ve only had half an hour at a test day in it and I admit it’s a joy to drive when you grab it by the scruff of the neck – but unless you buy it in ‘look at me’ bright orange it has no personality.
Stuart, from Essex, is having none of this. “The ST has masses of character,” he rebuffs. “It sounds amazing too, with its offbeat, almost Impreza-like warble. It’s far better than any of the dull four-cylinder engines which only lift their personality above the common-or-garden models with a boomy exhaust and a turbo whistle.”
He chokes on my suggestion that I’d rather have a Renaultsport Mégane (prodigious grip), Astra VXR (brutal power) or Civic Type-R (stunning looks):
“The Civic Type-R is only any good when the engine has been wound up to the redline and the Mégane Renaultsport 230 Renault F1 Team R26 has a stupid name.”
“The Focus ST has a better engine, better chassis and it’s cheaper.”
Which side of the hot hatch argument are you on?
Car reviews: Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type-R
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Just got myself an 09, Orange ST-2 and I love it. Before that I had the Megane F1 230, and to be fair they’re completely different. The Megane is definitely a more raw machine, with its rock hard suspension and handling. Unlike the ST which feels, dare i say it, a little more grown up. Feels more like a car than the Megane. The Megane F1 really does feel like a road car built for the track more than anything. Whereas the ST feels like a road car built to live on the roads. Far more practical and user friendly for me. The Megane is a superb car and so is the ST, but for me they are different cars with different agendas. Saying that, I’ve had more people stare at me in my ST in one day than I ever had in the Megane.
Not a bad car by any means, its a shame the 5 cylinder engine isnow discontinued i sounded lovely! Cars a bit heavy though!
National Car Leasing
Just put bluefin onto my ST “58″ plate and OMG what an awesome bit of kit for simple money…. ST is such an all rounder, sheep in wolf clothings… What an engine “T5″ no wounder the police love that motor…. It sings like a bird and “defo” stings like a bee, especially with Blue fin…. Warble Warble….what a bird….
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I think that anyones perspective on this discussion will depend very largely on their age. I’m the wrong side of 35 ( but the right side of 40!), and have had my share of ‘family’ cars.
In a nutshell, CTR & Megane, deff for the younger guys (plastic fantastic!).
Golf & ST, for the older who still have some life left in them. I went for the ST, basically the GTI just looked too bland and was expensive comparitively. Yes most people have skipped the S3 in this, but aren’t we talking a pretty spectacular price jump to that?
Oh and regarding ‘only’ getting 225 bhp from a 2.5 turbocharged engine, I think that you’ll find that it keeps the emmissions just below the up and coming £400 per year road tax bracket. These motors are running 300 bhp with little work and a still as bulletproof!
You entertained me with your post! An interesting article could persuade visitors to come and come to your site. I’m very eager to read more of your posts when I get back. Regards, Lorna
Haha, very nice post. Regards, Lorna