CAR WARS! Hot Hatch Edition: Would You Rather Have A $40k VW Or A $40k Ford?

In the hatchback kingdom, right now there's two stand outs when it comes to high-performance variants. Based on their economy car siblings, the Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus RS are no joke when you look at their specifications and respective performance figures.

But, and it's a BIG but, they go about taking care of business in different ways. Of course this means that each provides a different driving experience.

So, which one is better?

While one could say that there is no winner, we beg to differ. As both vehicles cost around $40,000, you should know WHICH one is the king of the castle.

To help you along in this journey, check out Motor Trends' latest Head to Head that pits the VW and Ford against each other.

On this episode of Head 2 Head, presented by Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com), Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman set out to find the ultimate hot hatch. These cars feature plenty of power, grip, agility, and, most importantly, fun — and who doesn’t love fun? There’s perhaps no quicker, more enjoyable way to bomb down a winding road than in a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive compact hatchback.

Volkswagen invented the hot-hatch genre in the mid-1970s with the front-wheel-drive GTI. Adding all-wheel drive and more power to the GTI begets the 292-hp Golf R, which makes it the fastest iteration of the car that won Motor Trend’s 2015 Car of the Year award. But it’s got a new competitor, and, looking at the numbers, the Ford Focus RS could be king of the segment. With 350 hp from a 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 and a fancy torque-vectoring rear differential, it threatens to out-gun the Golf R both in a straight line and in the corners. Plus, it has Drift Mode! Can the Ford’s fancy technology beat the VW? You’re going to have to watch to find out!

TomM - 9/17/2016 7:24:33 AM

+3 Boost

A Ford - however - I would choose the new V6 Fusion - which I can actually fit into. At over 6'71/2" - these teeny weeny little cars are simply too small for me to care about. I would need far more front seat travel than they have. Even with the Fusion - the cars become a Three seater - since no one with legs could fit behind me - and it has been more than a few years since I last had a toddler in a car seat. (It was not much better in a Mercury Marauder either). I wish car manufacturers made LONG WHEELBASE versions of their cars in the USA for those of us who are above average height.

Agent00R - 9/17/2016 11:43:04 AM

+1 Boost

That makes two of us. 6'8 here.

But, as you know, nothing is really made for folks on the taller end of the spectrum.

USNA1999 - 9/17/2016 7:48:53 AM

+3 Boost

The VW, better interior materials and it doesn't have the boy racer look. By the way, the VW has better reliability ratings too:
http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars/consumer-reports-best-and-worst-car-brands-in-2015-include-lexus-mazda-and-toyota-1.10387053

valhallakey - 9/17/2016 2:05:00 PM

+2 Boost

Wish they made two versions of each. A slightly toned down one with a better interior, and maybe a few more features, then a more track oriented version. BMW did it with the E36 M3, Fort is kind of doing that with the Shelby GT350, they should do it with the RS and VW perhaps should offer the R is a more stripped down, more aero bits, more track focused version.

MDarringer - 9/17/2016 8:39:56 AM

0 Boost

Ford by far for fewer trips to the service lane for unscheduled maintenance.

Vette71 - 9/17/2016 9:30:17 AM

+2 Boost

Would have agreed with you until an Eco-boost 4 banger Ford starting having all kinds of overheating problems at 47K miles. Gets expensive fast.

MDarringer - 9/18/2016 8:56:59 AM

+2 Boost

We haven't seen that in the service lane.

Agent00R - 9/17/2016 11:45:42 AM

+1 Boost

Driving an RS this week.

Definitely more fun/personality than the VW but, boy, does its interior need some work.

I'd probably have the Ford.

MDarringer - 9/18/2016 8:57:41 AM

+2 Boost

The VW has a nicer interior so when it strands you, you'll have a nice place to sit while you wait for the tow truck.

mini22 - 9/19/2016 6:36:38 PM

+1 Boost

The jury is still out on the reliability of the Ecoboost 4 banger so we cannot pass judgment on that yet. From a driving enjoyment perspective it becomes a matter of personal preference. The VW is essentially an Audi hatchback. It is performance with refinement. It is a little bit removed from the front lines of driving enjoyment that the Ford enjoys. The reality is that 95 % of the driving population that buys either one of these cars would not be able realize the handling benefits of the Ford over the VW. Clearly the Ford is the better car to drive. However does it really matter. The VW is nearly as quick. On a windy road at 8/10ths it's probably little different then the Ford. However the VW does have nicer interior duds than the Ford. Therefore from a livability standpoint the VW might be the better car to own.

MDarringer - 9/19/2016 9:13:20 PM

+1 Boost

Source for this "jury"?