Volkswagen Golf vs Ford Focus vs Vauxhall/Opel Astra 2017 review | Head2Head

TL;DR

Astra outshines Golf and Focus in 2017 hatchback review.

Transcript

family hatchbacks they're the workhorses of the motoring World whether they're sucking up long Motorway Journeys on the way to work or liters of babysick on a family holiday they're the Dependable practical cars that won't break the bank but which would you choose between the Ford Focus the Volkswagen Golf or the new vool or opal depending on where... Read More

Key Insights

• The Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford Focus are economical hatchbacks ideal for commuting and family trips.
• Design-wise, the Astra has a mixed appeal with a nice rear but a less impressive front, while the Focus has a sporty front and awkward rear.
• The Golf is recognized for its boxy, classic design, retaining the recognizable VW badge appeal.
• The Golf offers a user-friendly infotainment system, whereas the Focus's system is laggy and complicated, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Interior quality of the Astra has significantly improved, matching the Golf, and surpassing the Focus in design and material quality.
• The Astra's boot capacity is modest but functional, while the Golf offers better loading flexibility with its adjustable floor.
• For driving experience, the Focus remains the most fun, but the Astra surprises with its enjoyable handling and comfort.
• The Astra combines the driving fun of the Focus with the comfort of the Golf, offering advanced technology and a competitive price.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main design differences among the Astra, Golf, and Focus?

The Astra features a mixed design with an appealing rear but a less impressive front. The Focus boasts a sporty front with an Aston Martin-style grille but has an awkward rear. The Golf maintains its classic boxy design, recognizable for its VW badge, offering a straightforward and timeless look.

Q: How do the infotainment systems compare in these hatchbacks?

The Golf's infotainment system is user-friendly and includes smartphone connectivity, providing a straightforward and quality experience. In contrast, the Focus's system is laggy and unnecessarily complicated, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Astra offers a solid system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing user experience.

Q: Which car offers the best interior quality and design?

The Astra has significantly improved its interior quality, matching the Golf in terms of material quality and design, surpassing the Focus. The Astra's interior features shiny trims and a damped glove box, adding a touch of class, while the Golf maintains a straightforward, no-nonsense approach with quality where needed.

Q: How do the boot capacities and practicality compare?

The Astra's boot is modest but functional, while the Golf offers better loading flexibility with its adjustable floor and boxier shape, making it the best load-lugger. The Focus has the smallest boot, with a large load lip and a ridge, making it less practical for carrying larger items compared to the other two.

Q: What sets the Astra apart in terms of technology?

The Astra stands out with its class-leading technology, including the OnStar system, which offers internet connectivity and a mobile app for controlling car functions remotely. This technology adds value to the Astra, making it appealing for tech-savvy consumers looking for advanced features in a hatchback.

Q: Which car provides the best driving experience?

The Focus remains the most fun to drive, known for its dynamic handling and enjoyable driving experience. However, the Astra surprises with its balanced performance, offering almost as much fun as the Focus while providing superior comfort and reduced noise, making it an excellent all-rounder.

Q: How do the engine choices compare among the three cars?

While the specific cars in the review are not matched for engine choices, generally, the Golf is known for having the best engines, followed closely by the Astra, and then the Focus. The differences in engine performance are marginal, with all three offering competitive options in their range.

Q: Why is the Astra considered the winner in this comparison?

The Astra wins the comparison by combining the fun driving experience of the Focus with the comfort level of the Golf. It offers advanced technology through its OnStar system and undercuts the other two in price, providing a compelling package that appeals to a broad range of consumers looking for value and performance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 2017 review compares the Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford Focus, focusing on design, practicality, and driving experience. The Astra surprises with its overall performance, combining fun and comfort, making it a standout choice among the three hatchbacks.

• Design-wise, the Astra presents a mixed appeal, the Focus sports a sharp front, and the Golf maintains its classic boxy look. The Astra's interior quality has improved significantly, rivaling the Golf and surpassing the Focus in material quality and design.

• The driving experience highlights the Focus as the most fun, while the Astra delivers a balanced performance with comfort and technology. Despite the Golf's overall reliability, the Astra's competitive price and features make it the winner of the comparison.