Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Ford Focus ST | Which Hot Hatch is Best? Video | Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com

Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Ford Focus ST | Which Hot Hatch is Best? Video | Edmunds.com

In this comparison test, the redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI versus the 2014 Ford Focus ST. Editors James Riswick and Mike Monticello debate the merits of each hot hatch, including their performance, comfort, interior quality, cargo and passenger space, value, fuel economy and which is more fun to drive. Which sport compact hatchback would you buy: the VW GTI or the Focus ST?

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razor63

The ST is "I'm a performance car, got a problem with that ?" , The GTI is "You want to go fast ?, well....ok"

akio

How about reliability and resale value? I think GTI has more to offer than the ST

PF_Flyer

As much as I like to drive (give me a manual any day), I'm not sure I would like a performance hatch that feels like "it wants to rip the steering wheel out of my hands" when I stomp on it. Control is a big part of performance in my book

katmandu2

The ST's seats are gawd awful! Feels like you're strapped sitting inside a refrigerator with a hard seat.

I'm only 5'8" and 170lbs and I felt squished in them.

The seats maybe great for the track but absolutely forget it as a daily driver.

PF_Flyer

katmandu2 said:

The seats maybe great for the track but absolutely forget it as a daily driver.

Yep, when you start to lean towards "sporty", there are definitely tradeoffs.

gapecci

Regarding reliability, both seem to be lacking severely. It's too bad. I keep researching and comparing, and cream always rises to the top ... Mazda3 2.5! Probably not considered a hot hatch by most, but it does everything right. IMO, it's pretty sexy too!