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
Auto Trader Blog RSS Feed
Having owned a BMW M3, Corrado V6, Subaru Impreza turbo, Renault megane Cup,Golf GTI, Audi 3 litre V6, and various fast fords and vauxhall’s i can honestly say that buying an 07 ST3 Focus 5 dr(because of baby) was the most prudent move i’ve ever made. Bought from a local Ford Dealer.
The car excels in every dept. and does not specialise in one like the power of the VXR, the finish of the Golf and the track handling of the Renault. The Focus is an all rounder and in the REAL world the quickest down any pot-holed B road. Couple all that with the BLUE FIN stage 1 remap and its supercar humbling!
I tend to disagree with the choice of Golf.
To the untrained eye, they’re nearly impossible to tell apart.
There are 2.0 TDIs running around with Monzas on.
It’s like handing out badges to everyone who turned up rather than those that are actually at the top of the leaders board.
Yes, they’re an excellent car, reliable to the end, practical, great fun to drive but the GTi is just not set far enough apart from the rest of the bunch. I’ll bet that you would find yourself having to explain that the Golf outside is a GTi whereas with a Focus ST, the difference is instantly noticable to even the least trained eye.
Just my thoughts.
I broadly agree with Adrian, apart from the ST should be compared to the old ST and not the RS.
In a few years time when all of these cars are more affordable second hand propositions, the orange Focus will look even more low rent than it does now. All of the overpowered Astras will have been trashed, and apart from the looks who is going to buy a type-r that is inferior to the original ?
For me it’s the Golf every time, an excellent all round package that won’t be embarrasing to own (or say you have owned) in a few years time…. and it isn’t available in chav orange !
I own a focus st2.5 and drove the vauxhall vxr and the golf gti before i bought it the golf is good but the interior is bland the vxr i sbrutal power but torque steers and will put you in a ditch no problem the st handles great looks good does not bite you unless you ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT a great HOT HATCH !!
Out of the cars mentioned, I’d go for the Focus. However, what I’d actually do in real life is save myself at least £15k and get a tidy 205GTi or Clio Williams. Not as fast, safe, comfortable, spacious or reliable as the new boys but if you can’t have as much fun (if not more) in one of those old school hooligans, then you need to reconsider whether you are a petrolhead or just another motorist.
I’ve had a Focus 2.0 3dr. which was nice then moved to WRX and now 0’3 WRX STI. To be honest they are more an individual car…. Would not be seen dead in a Golf or Vauxhall thanks!
I think that you guys are missing the point of the ST a little bit…
I don’t think that it is fair to say that the ST is a step backwards from the RS, as it was intended to replace the ST170. The idea behind the ST is that it’s a practical, comfortable car which can be a bit of an animal.
If you want a more focused hot-hatch to compare to the likes of the R26 and VXR, wait for the RS
In my opinion you guys are thinking too big!
All these hot hatches you are talking about might have lots of power but they also have serious weight issues.
What you want is something like the new Clio Cup, and then after you have bought it take the rear seats out and fit a lightweight roll cage.
A bit hardcore perhaps…but fun.
Someone mention the Golf GT…(yawns)
Focus RS is brutal – and fantastic for it. ST looks too refined to be a hot hatch (refined if you ignore the Orange hue), and that’s the crux really. A hot hatch has to look, well, hot.
And for that, my vote is firmly in the Vauxhall camp. So firmly I’m considering selling a kidney to get one.
By the sounds of the driving experience, I won’t be around for much longer after I’ve owned it anyway, so doesn’t look like I’ll need it…
You’re both wrong. The Ford Focus ST is a little bit chavvy and a step backwards compared to the RS (who wants to explain the special diff to a girlfriend?) and even further behind the legendary Escort Cossie of the early 90s.
The Civic is an awesome looking and awesome performing car but being a Honda carries a little bit of a ‘fast and the furious’ image, while the VXR is insanely powerful, but probably needs RWD or 4WD to channel the power to the road.
I agree with Stuart’s view of the Renault. Hot hatches need to have a cool image and who wants to reel of that long-winded name. It needs to be something like RS, MPS, ST, VXR, FR or Cupra.
It needs to be GTi – the Volkswagen Golf GTi 30. It’s a brilliant looking car, practical, fast, great handling and with a genius semi-automatic gearbox.