Finally, a good test, which consists of both track and road tests. I mean, most of these cars will be used on road, so it's really good to see which one is the best in real life.
What a weird review... It contradicts what most other reviews says. The Megane on a track is easily the best one... yet they say the Astra. Most reviews says the Astra is fastest in a straight line... but not here. Finally the Focus ST the best pick? Got to be joking right? Yes. The Astra and Megane both have a harsh ride. but in terms of the 3 cars, I'd sacrifice the ride for either of the better cars. I'd definitely pick the Renault, its the best hot hatch around. Even with the A45 and M135 around.
The megane rs of that generation is the best hot hatch ever made, the guy has the a point thou the focus is the best all rounder .... If your the average late 20s male with a girlfriend a child and a mortgage then its prob the best bet.... best choice is to buy a old 5 door diesel for a daily and a megane for weekend ...
I have the Renault without the cup package and can guarantee that it's 100% useable in every day use i had a 118d BMW and i prefer driving the RS. The only downside is the fuel consumption of 12l in my case. Overall a absolutely amazing car
I think for hot hatches you want good looks, speed and fun. I'd be willing to say fun takes a little bit of a back seat though as 70-80% of the time for most people you're sat in traffic or cruising along the motorway in which case the compliance and interior design become important too. I'd say the VXR covers its bases the best imo
To save weight and cost, the Focus has no locking differential. The power distribution is controlled by the ESP. Means the inner front wheel is braked slightly prophylactically during cornering. Thus, the brake has a lot more work and overheated on the track.
Hi Mat here. If you are wondering why it took us so long to release this video it's because although we actually shot it back at the beginning of September, we decided to hold it back for our new iPad edition of Auto Express which has just gone live. You can download the first six issues for free from the App store. Hopefully this will make up for the fact we have kept this video from you for so long.
In my mind and I suspect many others, the GTI was the epitome of hot hatch in this corner of the world. Growing up here in Canada, everyone coveted a VW GTI by the simple fact that choices was not exactly all that great. Even in modern standards, 200hp in a hatchback is still pretty impressive.
Matt is so young and innocent here! How times change. For road use there’s only one worth considering. The Focus. Truck days? Get a Caterham or a motorcycle. Renault? It’s a Renault. VXR? Yeah well done Zzzz apart from on a once every year 1 day track day
Exactly. If they're not even looking for a sportscar then I think a BMW 3-series is a much better buy! I bet the BMW would be more comfortable, practical and fuel efficient AND BETTER LOOKING (as Matt would say - even if looks are 100% subjective) Current UK-prices: Ford Focus ST: from £22,295 BMW 3-series: from £23,550
If you are really interested in something similar to the Astra, I believe there are a few Asrtras around the US badges as saturns from a few years ago.
Yes but nobody wants a Saturn Astra. This guy wants the updated, performance-oriented model. I own an ST myself, but it would have been nice to be able to choose between these other cars as well.
I have owned both the ST and the Megane and I have to say that whilst the Focus is a great daily driver and fun, the Megane's overall power delivery, handling and grip is immense and so, so much more fun...both cars are great but the Megane just pips it..for me! both cars would be great second hand buys though.
Focus ST = guaranteed to get stolen at some point. Megane = More capable & fun but looks are subjective. I'd choose the later updated Megane which looks a tad nicer.
I have driven all three of these cars and my experience with all these three cars, I have to say that the focus st has no turbo lag whatsoever, compared to its VXR and megan rs rivals. And overall ride quality of the focus st is a lot better than the Renault and Vauxhall. Thats presently I own a focus st.
I can say you are wrong. I have owned all 3. I had the VXR first for around a year. I then owned the Focus ST for nearly 3 years and currently own the Megane RS. All 3 have turbo lag, you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. For me, it is close between the Focus ST and Megane RS. I would say that the Focus is a lot more refined. It feels safer and more stable. The Megane is more fun if I am being honest. You are right in the ride quality of the Ford is better, but this comes at the expense of the fun factor. To me, a hot hatch should be fun, and that's why I edge to the Megane RS, just.
A good segment and well reviewed. It's worth saying though that the Megane RS is an older car, and it's being compared to two new editions of the Focus and Astra so not 'really' a fair comparison. I own an RS and agree with what he said about it feeling bumps - you do feel *everything*, but apart from that it's a great car.
UK based motoring magazines are so ford biased its unreal . Ford Diesels ( peugeot ) are some of the worst cars on the road yet motoring press in the UK love them . This test is no different , least attractive , slowest and least fun to drive car wins wtf ??
Even though if driving with a "serious" feeling all the time, chasing times etc I'd get the astra. It even managed to lap the same with the focus RS of previous gen. Feeling or not, it is a very capable car and the "price is right".
well it only illustrates that if you really want a supreme track car then go buy yourself a true racing car, most cars are used for the road that's why the road is the biggest defining factor if a car was good or bad... great decision Mat, and a good comparo too...
I also noticed this, a little bias coming in i'd imagine. Anyone who knows cars should see the Meg coming out on top in any race between these 3. I'm surprised it lost to the Astra here, driver capability maybe?
This is odd, in most track reviews the megane comes out on top, just have a look at chris harris' review of these three cars, its way better. Track times were 1. Megane 2. Astra 3. Focus ST Not sure what happened with these track times? Maybe it was the driver (the ST's brakes caught fire FFS!) All 3 are good cars with contrasting qualities respectively but the megane is still the undisputed king of the track and the best drivers car (they at least admitted that) between the 3.
So Vauxhall got the handling right finally then? The older vxr range even in the vectra and zafira all had diabolical handling, yet in this review at least the newer one can use its power and corner properly.
If I was buying a weekend car of these 3 would defo choose the vauxhall, but for a everyday driver... focus all the way, cheaper, parts easilly got and a nice drive. How often do people really go the track, but instead nip to the shops and go to work in their car, can see why Focus won, because as an everyday car you can enjoy it, ticks a lot of boxes.
I tough this was "hot hatch comparison" not practical small segment daily car comparison. Yet Astra is spacy in this segment but lacks two rear doors. My choice goes to..... ;)
The point of a hot hatch is fun but then practicality and the focus looks like it has more cargo room the other to swoop down drastically in the rear looking sporty but not practical
last focus ST was great and looked the part. New focus ST is as mundane as a Golf GTI but slightly better as it comes with stick. Looks, well I am glad you like it then.
These all cars are SIMILAR but different. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Vehicle is moving at low speeds BETTER ONE, TWO HIGH AND SO ON Please choose your pleasurable and suitable for EVERYONE
The current Scirocco R gets from 0-100km/h in 5,7 seconds. The new Golf VII (based on the MQB platform, shared with the new A3, for instance) will get 300hp and sprint to 100km/h in 5 seconds. Hardly "crap".
The starting price for the focus is £22,000 the base model. I bet this one is not the base model ST which specked up would cost about the same as the Astra. But you can buy a specked up VXR for £27,000. So it’s not £4,000 cheaper.
Of the three...I'd pick the Ford. What's the point of a hot hatchback that isn't any good on regular roads? If it's your only car it should be practical, comfortable, and easy to live with as well as fun to drive.
Ford is reliable and far cheaper to service. Obviously taxis only seem to be Fords (Australia) theres a reason for this they last the longest, and there awesome to drive.
Fords don't actually have that good a reliability record, and all the Taxi's where you live will be Fords because they've obviously got a contract with them.
Not really, i drove cabs for a guy in one of the places i lived and he had two el falcons and his mate had a VT commie... The two fords... one had 850,000 ks on the clock and the other had over a million, the Commie had 650,000 ks and had gone thru 2 engines and 3 gear boxes... End of discussion.......
whose being rude??? Im going on actual real life experiences with being behind the wheels of more cars than i care to remember. The Fords are by far a better drive and more mechanically sound. Longevity is pretty well self explanatory. If ya wana compare falcons to commodores, well no contest really...
the best car depends on the driver and more importantly the owner. its like deciding between your wife and your friends wives whose is best. do you decide on who cooks the best or on who looks the best?
It's just simply that hot hatches was made to be a fun to drive rather than to be a performance car. As example, you are racing a Prius with M3 and say which one is more fuel saving. At the end of the race you'll realize that Prius MPG is worse than M3, how that could be happened? Because every car have different purpose.
Ford-It's brakes caught fire at high speeds, couldn't put its power down in circuits and It's slowest in the group. (3 faults) Vauxhall-It couldn't beat the Megane in a straight line, suffers turbo lag, and torque steer, and has less steering feel, most expensive, less prectical. (6 faults) Megane- Extremely uncomfortable ride on road, second most expensive in test,less practical. (3 faults) I guess Mat and Chris were right... Personally I like the Megane.
Megane, I got one my self with the cup packege. And its not that hard of a ride. It is soft enough for mee. I drive +-290 miles on a work day. And it is a great tuning platform. I have now an akraprivic exhaust, a difent turbo + intercooler, a race air filter from renault sport and chip-tuned it. It runs now a nice 385hp and 530Nm at the wheels. Its handling perfect, stil no torque steer. It is awsome. I am not so confident that te VXR can run that power so easy.
in the drag race, focus st always took off the latest, and with a lot of wheel spin and tyre smoke...focus st won best hot hatch of the year award from Top Gear, Auto Express, and Whatcar. Autocar also said they'd rank it higher than anything else for normal road use. focus st rules :)
The difference is, the Focus is designed for everyday use compared to the others. Let's be honest, who ever takes an every day hot hatch to a track? Correct me if i'm wrong, but not many will do...
And the same for all vehicles with full tanks of fuel for these machines and take the time flies and one manager. If we compare the exact and the machine should be tested in
Maybe... But it is the most refined & its definitely the one i'd buy. Plus VW's are not crap, the Germans build some of the best looking and most reliable cars about.
The Focus was designed at Ford's European Design Centre and is made for the European Market by Germans, so I would hardly call it an American Car as you are Implying...Never-The-Less, I think it depends on who you are, and if you live in the real world where the Average day is getting up, abiding by the law and spending most of your time at work, the Focus in terms of practicality (5 Doors, Cheap, Good Fuel Economy) is the obvious winner. I still love the Astra though, Solid British Engineering!
completely agree with Mat about the ford being the best buy and yes i also do agree that the ford is ugly (particularly the back side). I also do think that the Ford ST is the most reliable of the three as I've heard horror stories about Meganes breaking down often (the older models) tho i dunno about the 265 cup.
thank you! the ST defines like how the first gen GTI defines hot hatch... its not suppose to be a track car like the other two... 98% of the time its ment to be driven on the road. and thats where ford got it right
Well it implies less expensive versions yes, but you're assuming the sport models are the most expensive, which isn't always the case, neither do they always have the best trim or largest engine. So, thanks anyway but it's no answer to my question.
So here's where all the Matt's drag races started hahaha
Finally, a good test, which consists of both track and road tests. I mean, most of these cars will be used on road, so it's really good to see which one is the best in real life.
What a weird review... It contradicts what most other reviews says. The Megane on a track is easily the best one... yet they say the Astra. Most reviews says the Astra is fastest in a straight line... but not here.
Finally the Focus ST the best pick? Got to be joking right? Yes. The Astra and Megane both have a harsh ride. but in terms of the 3 cars, I'd sacrifice the ride for either of the better cars.
I'd definitely pick the Renault, its the best hot hatch around. Even with the A45 and M135 around.
den525 Owned one for years now and shes never let me down :)
den525 nah the Vauxhall Astra
What a joke of a review... you test hot hatches and choose the slowest and ugliest one? It made me laugh.
The megane rs of that generation is the best hot hatch ever made, the guy has the a point thou the focus is the best all rounder .... If your the average late 20s male with a girlfriend a child and a mortgage then its prob the best bet.... best choice is to buy a old 5 door diesel for a daily and a megane for weekend ...
The VXR's interior is so premium! nice!!
I have the Renault without the cup package and can guarantee that it's 100% useable in every day use i had a 118d BMW and i prefer driving the RS. The only downside is the fuel consumption of 12l in my case. Overall a absolutely amazing car
What hot hatch (pre 2016) would you recommend ? Ford Focus ST ; megane, Peugeot , honda civic type r, may be audi ?
-"oh, I can't decide which is the best so I'll let the cars decide"
Focus sets breaks on fire....
-"That's the best car" ;)
I think for hot hatches you want good looks, speed and fun. I'd be willing to say fun takes a little bit of a back seat though as 70-80% of the time for most people you're sat in traffic or cruising along the motorway in which case the compliance and interior design become important too. I'd say the VXR covers its bases the best imo
To save weight and cost, the Focus has no locking differential. The power distribution is controlled by the ESP. Means the inner front wheel is braked slightly prophylactically during cornering.
Thus, the brake has a lot more work and overheated on the track.
Hi Mat here. If you are wondering why it took us so long to release this video it's because although we actually shot it back at the beginning of September, we decided to hold it back for our new iPad edition of Auto Express which has just gone live. You can download the first six issues for free from the App store. Hopefully this will make up for the fact we have kept this video from you for so long.
The Focus is perfect for winter. Just take it for a lap and stay cosy and warm near the brakes...
I want the VXR so bad!
In my mind and I suspect many others, the GTI was the epitome of hot hatch in this corner of the world. Growing up here in Canada, everyone coveted a VW GTI by the simple fact that choices was not exactly all that great. Even in modern standards, 200hp in a hatchback is still pretty impressive.
Astra of course. Better where it counts as a hot hatch : best lap and best looks.
He say's clearly it's the worst to drive on the roads daily which is what owners will do 99% of the time....
OH MAN I SWEAR THAT THIS MAN IS ADVERTISING FOR FORD COME ON MAN IN EVERY VIDEO THAT YOU MADE YOU REFER TO FORD FIESTA OR FORD FOCUS OHHH PLEASE
That's because most people never go near a track in their hot hatches and want the best daily driver. And the Ford is most definitely that.
Its hard to make a 4 door hatch look good, I reckon the focus pulls it off beautifully, also looks mean in black !
the renault driver on the first race really got the jump, very nice.
Matt is so young and innocent here! How times change. For road use there’s only one worth considering. The Focus. Truck days? Get a Caterham or a motorcycle. Renault? It’s a Renault. VXR? Yeah well done Zzzz apart from on a once every year 1 day track day
A comparative Between 3 sports car and the guy prefer the less sportive car. Really contradictory ...
Exactly. If they're not even looking for a sportscar then I think a BMW 3-series is a much better buy! I bet the BMW would be more comfortable, practical and fuel efficient AND BETTER LOOKING (as Matt would say - even if looks are 100% subjective)
Current UK-prices:
Ford Focus ST: from £22,295
BMW 3-series: from £23,550
James Filosa
Dude there is n BMW 3 serie of this prize that can matched a Focus ST or the Megne RS ...
The VXR is beautiful! I wish it was available in the U.S.
If you are really interested in something similar to the Astra, I believe there are a few Asrtras around the US badges as saturns from a few years ago.
Yes but nobody wants a Saturn Astra. This guy wants the updated, performance-oriented model. I own an ST myself, but it would have been nice to be able to choose between these other cars as well.
I just bought a sexy black one today. I love it so much they r the ultimate hot hatch in my opinion 💯
@@danielhayton1 how's was the reliabilty in the past 5 months? The only thing that made me choose the Meg was General Motors's scary reliability.
@@SpeedDaemon3 no problems at all so far so good. I just wish it came in automatic. That's my only complaint. But I still love it to bits
I have owned both the ST and the Megane and I have to say that whilst the Focus is a great daily driver and fun, the Megane's overall power delivery, handling and grip is immense and so, so much more fun...both cars are great but the Megane just pips it..for me! both cars would be great second hand buys though.
I had the megane 225 and i used to get smoked off the line by the st’s. Now I’m buying a st-3 and I’ll get smoked by the megane rs 😂 ffs
Focus ST = guaranteed to get stolen at some point.
Megane = More capable & fun but looks are subjective.
I'd choose the later updated Megane which looks a tad nicer.
I have driven all three of these cars and my experience with all these three cars, I have to say that the focus st has no turbo lag whatsoever, compared to its VXR and megan rs rivals. And overall ride quality of the focus st is a lot better than the Renault and Vauxhall. Thats presently I own a focus st.
I can say you are wrong. I have owned all 3. I had the VXR first for around a year. I then owned the Focus ST for nearly 3 years and currently own the Megane RS. All 3 have turbo lag, you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. For me, it is close between the Focus ST and Megane RS. I would say that the Focus is a lot more refined. It feels safer and more stable. The Megane is more fun if I am being honest. You are right in the ride quality of the Ford is better, but this comes at the expense of the fun factor. To me, a hot hatch should be fun, and that's why I edge to the Megane RS, just.
@@davehanson1578 What hot hatch (pre 2016) would you recommend ? Ford Focus ST ; megane, Peugeot , honda civic type r, may be audi ? Astra ?
Mine doesn't have turbo lag, kicks in at 2krpm and stays the same to 6.5krpm 🤷♂️
The fords brakes managed to set on fire and it still won!?!???
Hahaha...spot on.
So weird to see mat not in a carwow video
Good job Mat. Again. Greetings from Denmark
A good segment and well reviewed. It's worth saying though that the Megane RS is an older car, and it's being compared to two new editions of the Focus and Astra so not 'really' a fair comparison. I own an RS and agree with what he said about it feeling bumps - you do feel *everything*, but apart from that it's a great car.
"it's safe the road is completely empty". 2 secs later 8:16 car goes by!
Is that Mat Watson from Carwow? :O
Opc best looking !! I have the astra g ! Next i will buy the h and then the j ! GJ OPEL HOW BEAUTIFUL CAR YOU MADE
ads? If you use Firefox...install the Adblock and you see ads anymore in any site. It's perfect!
Like all three but Vxr is my choice
It’s the CarWow guy lol
I prefer the looks of the Ford and like most other owners won’t be taking it near a track so again I’d pick the Ford.
You know what's funny? This megane is the oldest car here, yet it looks still fresh. New model is coming out in January 2013.
That Megane is awesome but I prefer the Vxr.
UK based motoring magazines are so ford biased its unreal . Ford Diesels ( peugeot ) are some of the worst cars on the road yet motoring press in the UK love them . This test is no different , least attractive , slowest and least fun to drive car wins wtf ??
Even though if driving with a "serious" feeling all the time, chasing times etc I'd get the astra. It even managed to lap the same with the focus RS of previous gen. Feeling or not, it is a very capable car and the "price is right".
well it only illustrates that if you really want a supreme track car then go buy yourself a true racing car, most cars are used for the road that's why the road is the biggest defining factor if a car was good or bad... great decision Mat, and a good comparo too...
6:11 i think it looks the best and the colour look stunning!
I think that colour is looks kinda puke(ish). Would not choose it what ever the car is.
In the end all depends eye of the beholder.
it actually caught fire!
Pretty awesome review Matt! I drive an rs265
Probably Renault RS Mode isnt activated in that vid, no way the Astra is faster on Track.
I drive a T5 volvo and I can't be the only one who enjoys torque steer.
Odd that the megane was last on the top gear drag race. I suspect it was ran on normal 250 mode not sport mode (265).
I also noticed this, a little bias coming in i'd imagine. Anyone who knows cars should see the Meg coming out on top in any race between these 3. I'm surprised it lost to the Astra here, driver capability maybe?
This is odd, in most track reviews the megane comes out on top, just have a look at chris harris' review of these three cars, its way better.
Track times were
1. Megane
2. Astra
3. Focus ST
Not sure what happened with these track times? Maybe it was the driver (the ST's brakes caught fire FFS!)
All 3 are good cars with contrasting qualities respectively but the megane is still the undisputed king of the track and the best drivers car (they at least admitted that) between the 3.
a standard megane 250 was power tested and produced closer to 270bhp,that is why they are so fast ; )
i love you mat .such an unbiased reviewer could have easily chosen european cars but went with the practicality
So Vauxhall got the handling right finally then? The older vxr range even in the vectra and zafira all had diabolical handling, yet in this review at least the newer one can use its power and corner properly.
in top gear they removed the IDS Suspension module on the Vectra VXR. I own both the Astra in this video and the Vectra and its no slouch
Finally! Comparing three cars from same class with similar power outputs.Are you watching this Autocar?
i like the previous styling of the focus.
If I was buying a weekend car of these 3 would defo choose the vauxhall, but for a everyday driver... focus all the way, cheaper, parts easilly got and a nice drive. How often do people really go the track, but instead nip to the shops and go to work in their car, can see why Focus won, because as an everyday car you can enjoy it, ticks a lot of boxes.
I tough this was "hot hatch comparison" not practical small segment daily car comparison. Yet Astra is spacy in this segment but lacks two rear doors. My choice goes to..... ;)
Your comparing a $46,000 Opel Astra VXR, a $39,000 Renaultsport Megane. and a $24,000 Focus ST. Nice! Good Job!
The point of a hot hatch is fun but then practicality and the focus looks like it has more cargo room the other to swoop down drastically in the rear looking sporty but not practical
last focus ST was great and looked the part. New focus ST is as mundane as a Golf GTI but slightly better as it comes with stick. Looks, well I am glad you like it then.
These all cars are SIMILAR but different. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Vehicle is moving at low speeds BETTER ONE, TWO HIGH AND SO ON
Please choose your pleasurable and suitable for EVERYONE
VXR of course...laughing in the face of the obvious "track weapon"...Lol.
I drive a 2003 Leon cupra r & i even today don't think you can get a better more comfortable ride from a hot hatch
Finaly the kind of review I have been waiting for.
Focus ST thumbs up. This is why the majority of the worlds top automotive journalists have already chosen it as one of the 10 best cars of 2013
ONE man should do comparative tests of this would be the most accurate
Good choice! Focus is the best all round hot-hatch in my opinion :)
Astraaaaaa
☺️✊ yus
They are all good cars, very good cars, but now the thing is that you must choose which one is the best for you! 'nuff said.
As a road car, wich drives better, the Focus ST or the Leon Cupra ?
Looks are completely subjective, crazy to knock a car for that in a comparison like this.. I think the ST looks fantastic
The current Scirocco R gets from 0-100km/h in 5,7 seconds. The new Golf VII (based on the MQB platform, shared with the new A3, for instance) will get 300hp and sprint to 100km/h in 5 seconds. Hardly "crap".
The starting price for the focus is £22,000 the base model. I bet this one is not the base model ST which specked up would cost about the same as the Astra. But you can buy a specked up VXR for £27,000. So it’s not £4,000 cheaper.
Is there a video comparing the older versions of these 3 cars?
Of the three...I'd pick the Ford. What's the point of a hot hatchback that isn't any good on regular roads? If it's your only car it should be practical, comfortable, and easy to live with as well as fun to drive.
Ford is reliable and far cheaper to service.
Obviously taxis only seem to be Fords (Australia) theres a reason for this they last the longest, and there awesome to drive.
Fords don't actually have that good a reliability record, and all the Taxi's where you live will be Fords because they've obviously got a contract with them.
Not really, i drove cabs for a guy in one of the places i lived and he had two el falcons and his mate had a VT commie...
The two fords... one had 850,000 ks on the clock and the other had over a million,
the Commie had 650,000 ks and had gone thru 2 engines and 3 gear boxes...
End of discussion.......
leviathon74 There is a difference between YMMV and statistics. I'm just going from the statistics. No need to be rude. :/
whose being rude???
Im going on actual real life experiences with being behind the wheels of more cars than i care to remember. The Fords are by far a better drive and more mechanically sound. Longevity is pretty well self explanatory. If ya wana compare falcons to commodores, well no contest really...
Where I originally come from (Netherlands), most taxis are Mercedes. So...
All the cars are good for something that fits everyone finds
Jethro Bovingdon did that dragrace for evo.co.uk, you can see it at their website. The Megane RS won quite clearly.
Matt is biased towards Fords. He always prefers Fords no matter what.
the best car depends on the driver and more importantly the owner. its like deciding between your wife and your friends wives whose is best. do you decide on who cooks the best or on who looks the best?
It's just simply that hot hatches was made to be a fun to drive rather than to be a performance car.
As example, you are racing a Prius with M3 and say which one is more fuel saving. At the end of the race you'll realize that Prius MPG is worse than M3, how that could be happened? Because every car have different purpose.
Was the dirt burning on Focus brakes? I thought the brake itself won´t burn
No those definitely looked like pads burning
Track tests are a waste of time, who actually spends 20k+ on a hatchback so they can take it to a track?
True, however he did do the more comon 0-60 and rolling tests at the start.
Track tests are sure to follow lol
Didn't chris harris on drive already do this review?
I would definitely choose the Astra, is lot more confortable and practical than the ford in the inside, plus is really beautiful :-)
Ford-It's brakes caught fire at high speeds, couldn't put its power down in circuits and It's slowest in the group. (3 faults)
Vauxhall-It couldn't beat the Megane in a straight line, suffers turbo lag, and torque steer, and has less steering feel, most expensive, less prectical. (6 faults)
Megane- Extremely uncomfortable ride on road, second most expensive in test,less practical. (3 faults) I guess Mat and Chris were right... Personally I like the Megane.
Megane, I got one my self with the cup packege. And its not that hard of a ride. It is soft enough for mee. I drive +-290 miles on a work day. And it is a great tuning platform. I have now an akraprivic exhaust, a difent turbo + intercooler, a race air filter from renault sport and chip-tuned it. It runs now a nice 385hp and 530Nm at the wheels. Its handling perfect, stil no torque steer. It is awsome. I am not so confident that te VXR can run that power so easy.
can u send a link to the akro exhaust kit. thanks
Well, i have a 500 Hp Astrta and drives very well too.
I 'm very confident in it....
in the drag race, focus st always took off the latest, and with a lot of wheel spin and tyre smoke...focus st won best hot hatch of the year award from Top Gear, Auto Express, and Whatcar. Autocar also said they'd rank it higher than anything else for normal road use. focus st rules :)
VXR all the way
🤮yeah for a track day… road use? Bleurgh
anyone remembered what happened when JC drove the vectra vxr. uynder under understeer
Please test a car against other models of itself instead of other manufacturers rivals. I think it would be an interesting test to do.
The difference is, the Focus is designed for everyday use compared to the others. Let's be honest, who ever takes an every day hot hatch to a track? Correct me if i'm wrong, but not many will do...
And the same for all vehicles with full tanks of fuel for these machines and take the time flies and one manager.
If we compare the exact and the machine should be tested in
Good Review, Thanks ;)
3rd race they made the ST brake because it was beating the Vauxhall. If you want the video they didbt edit out the tire smoke from them braking
the front wheel drive battle !
Maybe... But it is the most refined & its definitely the one i'd buy. Plus VW's are not crap, the Germans build some of the best looking and most reliable cars about.
Opel is NOT VXR. Opel = OPC. Vauxhall = VXR. You’re wrong.
the magane is one of the best hot hatches ever made!!
The Focus was designed at Ford's European Design Centre and is made for the European Market by Germans, so I would hardly call it an American Car as you are Implying...Never-The-Less, I think it depends on who you are, and if you live in the real world where the Average day is getting up, abiding by the law and spending most of your time at work, the Focus in terms of practicality (5 Doors, Cheap, Good Fuel Economy) is the obvious winner. I still love the Astra though, Solid British Engineering!
NÜRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE
1)OPC 8.20 2)FOCUS RS 2.26 3)AUDI TTS 8.29 4) MEGAN RS 8.29 5) GOLF R 8.34 6) MINI JWC 8.35 7)GOLF 35 GTI 8.38
Handling is more important than speed.
Cheaper versions are not as nicely trimmed; smaller engines are slower but more economical. There's your test.
completely agree with Mat about the ford being the best buy and yes i also do agree that the ford is ugly (particularly the back side). I also do think that the Ford ST is the most reliable of the three as I've heard horror stories about Meganes breaking down often (the older models) tho i dunno about the 265 cup.
thank you! the ST defines like how the first gen GTI defines hot hatch... its not suppose to be a track car like the other two... 98% of the time its ment to be driven on the road. and thats where ford got it right
Well it implies less expensive versions yes, but you're assuming the sport models are the most expensive, which isn't always the case, neither do they always have the best trim or largest engine. So, thanks anyway but it's no answer to my question.
you could add iPad storage test to Your bottle storage test.