Test drive Ford Focus vs. VW Golf: it should succeed now
In the first comparison test, the new Focus 1.5 EcoBoost competes with the Golf 1.5 TSI.
More than once over the years, Ford rivals the Focus and the VW Golf, but cars from Cologne rarely took first place. Will the fourth generation turn around now?
The best thing we've done so far is with this statement from Ford employees accompanying the market premiere of the new Focus. A pretty confident request that at least the owners of a Kuga or Mondeo Vignale are likely to take with some hesitation. And everyone else is probably wondering how good the fourth generation Focus really is.
As the first test car, Ford shipped a 1.5 EcoBoost with 150 hp. in the sporty version of the ST-Line, which will compete with the benchmark of the compact VW Golf class. The 1.5 TSI BlueMotion variant with the high level of Highline equipment is also equipped with a 1,5-liter turbo petrol engine, but its output is only 130 hp. It looks like a mismatch, but it is not, because for the price, both test cars are in the same league. The Focus costs € 26 in Germany and the Golf € 500, and even if both candidates are brought to the same level of equipment, the Golf will be about € 26 more expensive.
Do you agree? OK. So, back to the cars. Visually, the Focus, which in the lower ST-Line variant is adorned with a black honeycomb grille, spoiler lip, diffuser and dual-sided exhaust, looks quite respectable, while the shorter one comes with twelve. and already at 3,5 centimeters Golf looks somehow more shy. By the way, nothing more can be added here. Because the core idea behind BlueMotion's eco-friendly models excludes the offer of an R-Line visual package as well as a sports chassis, progressive action steering and adaptive suspension. But we'll talk about that a little later.
First, check the dimensions in both interiors. Everything is good here - in terms of space and luggage compartment, the Focus is now on par with the spacious Golf. For example, a Ford trunk (with spare wheel) holds 341 to 1320 liters (VW: 380 to 1270 liters); Four passengers can comfortably fit in both cars, with the Focus in the rear offering significantly more legroom but slightly less headroom. It is worth noting that its seats are set high and quite soft, although they are called "sports" in Ford.
Maybe even better
Until now, the weak points of the model were rather mediocre quality of materials, but also some solutions in details. Here it was necessary to make up for lost time, so the designers definitely put in a lot of effort. As with the Golf, the center console now offers ample room for small items with rubber pads, the door pockets are covered with felt, the ventilation grilles are much better to the touch, and large parts of the dashboard are made of soft plastic.
It is a pity that the air conditioning control unit is built into a rigid polymer panel. And that things could be even better is demonstrated by the Golf, which is more durable in many ways, with its center console. True, here and from VW there are expensive soft materials, but the desire to save money and disguise more skillfully - for example, with a uniform color of all parts and a similar surface texture. In addition, rear passengers enjoy upholstered elbow and nozzle supports, while the Focus only offers plain hard plastic.
In fact, the Golf's highlight is the fully integrated and pre-programmed infotainment and navigation system that anyone can probably handle nowadays. But be careful: VW dealers will ask you for a painful 4350 BGN for their Discover Pro. On the Focus ST-Line, the nearly as competent Sync 3 with navigation, well-positioned touchscreen, intelligent voice control and network connectivity is part of the standard equipment.
Good as always
Road dynamics has always been one of the Focus' strengths. Whether it's tuned a little softer or sharper, every generation has prided itself on having a chassis that's a lot of fun to corner while keeping the occupants out of shock - even with no direct steering at all. and adaptive dampers. Therefore, it is not surprising that our test car follows this tradition in the best possible way.
Where did this easy disposition come from? From the fact that the Focus ST-Line version has stiffer shock absorbers and springs shorter by ten millimeters, with the help of which even small irregularities are absorbed quite rigidly and somewhat roughly. If you don't like this, we can recommend a standard chassis or, better yet, electronically adjustable shock absorbers for the first time (€ 1000).
However, in this comparison, the tuning does not pose a problem for the Ford model. Since the Golf 1.5 TSI cannot be ordered with adaptive dampers, the suspension is equally stiff here, and the car bounces off the lateral joints and sunroofs even more noisily.
At the same time, Ford's steering system is nothing to criticize. As always, it responds to steering wheel commands with flair, energy and precision, giving the Focus a freshness of agility. It's amazing how much of this car's traction is carried out of tight and tight corners, even at full throttle. The only downside to these dynamic settings is some nervousness, which can annoy you when driving on the highway.
Golf cannot and does not want to seduce you with such deft manners. On the other hand, in almost all situations, he stands confidently on the road, firmly following the desired direction. However, if problems arise, it can be drawn around corners with the same precision and energy.
Ford top drive
However, our impressions of its 130 hp BlueMotion gasoline engine are not so convincing. Two hundred Newton meters at 1400 rpm, variable turbine geometry turbocharger, active control (with deactivation) of the cylinders - in fact, this engine is a high-tech machine. However, in real-world conditions, the four-cylinder unit feels rather subdued, pulling smoothly but rather grimly, and it roars through the entire rev range. On top of that, unlike the Ford engine, it is not equipped with a particulate filter and has not yet been homologated in accordance with the WLTP. The fact that its average consumption in the test is 0,2-0,4 liters of gasoline lower is not particularly comforting.
Much more powerful with 20 hp. approaches his tasks with much greater ambition. 1,5-liter EcoBoost petrol engine on Focus. The three-cylinder engine, which can deactivate one of the cylinders, helps the compact Ford achieve the best dynamic performance at ranges of up to 160 km / h and at the same time has a pleasant hoarse voice. Accordingly, the bold tone of the three-cylinder engine is transmitted from the exhaust system. The insulation of the third combustion chamber at partial load is completely invisible, but only improves the engine experience.
Whoever stops well wins
Ford also performs better in the safety section. In addition to its wide range of driver assistance systems, it offers impeccable braking performance, while the Golf demonstrates an unusual weakness here. This, of course, leads to deductions.
And what is the result of the match? Well, Ford wins - even by a fairly significant margin. Congratulations to the builders from Cologne and the factory workers in Saarlouis. Not as balanced in detail as the VW model, but much better than its predecessor, the Focus replaces the not-so-new Golf in second place. In fact, his market start could not have been better.
CONCLUSION
1.FORD
Yes, it worked! With strong brakes, excellent drive and equal space, the new Focus won the first comparative test despite shortcomings in some details.
2. VWAfter years of not testing a real rival, with a tired engine and weak brakes, VW came second behind the Focus. However, it still gives the impression of balance and quality.
Text: Michael von Meidel
Photo: Ahim Hartmann
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