Ford Focus RS vs Volkswagen Golf R
Overview | |
Years produced2012-2013 | Years produced2016-2018 |
MSRP$47,100 | MSRP$36,120 |
Listings776 | Listings142 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews SummaryThe 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the hotter of VW’s two hot hatchbacks, boasting more power than its Golf GTI platform mate, plus a standard all-wheel-drive system (AWD), known as 4Motion, and a commensurately higher base price that puts it in the same competitive set as the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla. The current-generation Golf R was launched as a 2022 model but gains a handful of small updates for 2025, including a new touchscreen infotainment system and two new styling packages. Verdict: It’s hard to fault the Golf R’s performance capabilities and everyday usability, but the same can be said of its GTI sibling. | |
Reviews SummaryEuropeans did this to us. They made us crave the Ford Focus RS, a street-legal rally car with way too much turbocharged power driving the front wheels. That was in 2009, and only in 2016 has Ford’s European division brought its most feral Focus RS yet—with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. How wild is this winged terror? We tightened our helmet and shut down an entire racetrack to assess its ferocity. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 328 hp I4 | Engine2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower328 hp @ 5850 rpm | Horsepower350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City22 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway25 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 328 hp I4 | Engine Name2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | Torque350 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
Horsepower328 hp @ 5850 rpm | Horsepower350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City22 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway25 |
Interior | |
Leather SeatsOptional | Leather Seats |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemOptional | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/MoonroofOptional | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space19.9 cu ft | Cargo Space19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3450 lbs | Curb Weight3460 lbs |
Height57.8 in | Height58.0 in |
Length169.1 in | Length171.7 in |
Width81.6 in | Width80.5 in |
Wheelbase103.5 in | Wheelbase104.3 in |
Maximum Payload959 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2012-2013 | 2016-2018 |
MSRP | $47,100 | $36,120 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the hotter of VW’s two hot hatchbacks, boasting more power than its Golf GTI platform mate, plus a standard all-wheel-drive system (AWD), known as 4Motion, and a commensurately higher base price that puts it in the same competitive set as the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla. The current-generation Golf R was launched as a 2022 model but gains a handful of small updates for 2025, including a new touchscreen infotainment system and two new styling packages. Verdict: It’s hard to fault the Golf R’s performance capabilities and everyday usability, but the same can be said of its GTI sibling. | Europeans did this to us. They made us crave the Ford Focus RS, a street-legal rally car with way too much turbocharged power driving the front wheels. That was in 2009, and only in 2016 has Ford’s European division brought its most feral Focus RS yet—with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. How wild is this winged terror? We tightened our helmet and shut down an entire racetrack to assess its ferocity. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 328 hp I4 | 2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 328 hp @ 5850 rpm | 350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 22 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 25 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 328 hp I4 | 2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 350 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
Horsepower | 328 hp @ 5850 rpm | 350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 22 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 25 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Optional | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Optional | Standard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Optional | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 19.9 cu ft | 19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3450 lbs | 3460 lbs |
Height | 57.8 in | 58.0 in |
Length | 169.1 in | 171.7 in |
Width | 81.6 in | 80.5 in |
Wheelbase | 103.5 in | 104.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 959 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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