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Biggest Hot Hatch Comparison Ever Pits Focus RS Against Everything

I'll be honest with you guys; I've been putting off watching this video for about two weeks. Not only is very long, but I expected it was going to rewrite the way people thought of hot hatchbacks. Auto Trader deserves a slow clap of hands for putting together such a comprehensive test, one which matters for hooligans from all over the world.
Biggest Hot Hatch Comparison Ever Pits Focus RS Against Everything 1 photo
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
The brand new Ford Focus RS is undoubtedly a great package for not a lot of money. But how does it compare against several of the other significant cars aimed at the same kind of buyers? We are talking about the Honda Civic Type-R, Audi RS3, Mercedes-AMG A45, Volkswagen Golf R, Renault Sport Megane 275 Cup-S, Peugeot 308 GTI By Peugeot Sport 270, BMW 135i, and Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

It takes about six minutes just to present the cars and say what their pros and cons are. After that, they are put to the test on the famous Anglesey race track in Wales. All the cars are tested to 62 mph and against the stopwatch. However, when it's time to boil ten down to just three, this is not the criteria they are judged on, only the joy they deliver when driven.

The Golf R and SEAT Leon Cupra almost make the cut. Unfortunately, the VW is as easy to drive as a GT and is thus not as enjoyable. We are kind of sad to see the Leon go because SEAT has put together a noble car that's available in more practical configurations. But the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R is an old-school car that ticks all the boxes: balance, steering, engine, low weight and a precise manual.

At the end of the video, the Focus RS is found to be the victor, winning against the A45 AMG. Mercedes has added 21 horsepower during the facelift. But that's only for bragging. The real benefits are for the suspension and gearbox. However, it's heavier, and the steering delivers less feedback than the RS. That's right; it's not the price that loses AMG this competition.

But what do you guys think of this test? Hot hatchbacks are bought with the heart, not the head. So for some, the bigger engine of the BMW M135i or the bonkers look of the Civic make them favorable.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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