Ford Focus RS vs. Volkswagen Golf R - Track Review // ONE TRACK MIND - Ep 1.
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- A new sub-series to my channel! ONE TRACK MIND kicks off with the Ford Focus RS vs Golf R in a drag race, then on the race track at Toronto Motorsports Park. With a new guest the Racing Driver ( I actually can't share his name for legal reasons) who will be setting serious lap times in all the cars that I test. In this review I focus on the "experience" of driving the cars instead of feeding you facts. This is what you can come to expect from ONE TRACK MIND.
Special thanks to:
JRP- Johnston Research Performance
www.jrponline.com
Pinnacle Advanced Driving Academy
www.pinnacledri...
Toronto Motorsports Park
torontomotorsp...
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by: Silent Partner
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“Brethren, Arise” - Chris Zabriskie CZcams Audio Library
“Extinction Level Event” by Jingle Punks (CZcams Audio Library)
“LETTING GO” by Nicolai Heidlas Music / nicolai-heidlas
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Music provided by Audio Library • Video - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I test drove both the R and RS. I chose the RS and absolutely love it! It was more fun to me and just on point, more exciting to drive, and well, just more bad ass. The exhaust sounds good and pops between shifts. I've a 2018 and the suspension is tampered better than prior years and also has a new front end limited slip differential not seen in prior years. Some don't know the focus is designed in Europe and the RS, specifically, built in Germany.
Still have it? I'm going to look at a 2017 tomorrow as a quasi-collectible second car and occasional track day car.
I sure do still have it. Still absolutely love it. If you haven’t gotten one yet, I’d recommend getting an 18. They’re better and no head gasket issues.
yeah why i waited little for the 18s to come down in price i wanted a 18 focus rs . also golf r make u fell better about if after some mods intake and tune .. and the new golf r is way better then old ones ans feels like focus rs@@justinnoreaster
@@justinnoreaster Just got one last year, 2018 race red. I traded in my Mx5 for it and zero regrets.
I hope everyone is enjoying the video! I have lots more content coming in this series, and LOTS more coming for my e46 BMW! Let me know if there are two specific cars you think should go head to head on the track!
Nice review. Both cars are impressive, and I'm glad they're both options in the US market. 10 years ago (a younger me) I would've gone RS all the way. Ride quality and interior be damned, I simply wanted RAW FUN and the RS delivers such! Now, with longer road trips, an equal appreciation for remaining understated yet being able to drive faster than I should, while having a super comfy interior ; I'm a buyer of the Golf R. I've test driven a whole mess of cars and trucks this past year, and for me (a white collar professional who can't help but squeal tires on every on/off ramp or backroad) the Golf R was the best fit. In all honesty, if I were looking nowadays to embrace my inner child, I'd be supercharging an E90 M3 and listening to that gorgeous V8 howl above 8000 RPM with some regularity! Final thoughts...they're both great little machines...yet I still believe the exhaust/engine sound (outside the cabin) is painfully boring!
Question? do you think this RS will last just like any other car like a Corolla that surely can last for 500k miles? just curious. Nothing against RS. I am asking because i would like to buy one.
Throttle House would you embrace your extra bank account for the lawyers to battle with ford if you live ANYWHERE the is cold in the winter when the coolant from the crap job they did ,with the genius idea they had , flows into the engine and freezes and then blows the engine to crackly pieces calling for total engine replacement ? It’s rampant in my neck of the woods. Sad bcuz the car was a benchmark. But they are playing stupid with customers out here and trying to get away with it saying that they beat it up on the track too hard. Etc. Dick move by Ford. No thanks. I like my cars to start. Even my inner child likes my cars to start. Looks like junk sitting in the driveway. Dead. Stage 1 golf r Spanks the RS. And starts. Doesn’t blow the motor bcuz it’s not boosted within an inch of the car’ s life. If u haven’t played around in an APR TUNED GOLF R. Treat yourself. U will see why it’s STILL THE KING!! F. O. R. D. FOUND ON ROAD DEAD. FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. Pass on it. Trust 👊🏻💯.
@@daddz07 LOL NO. And if it does blow up (check out failed engines on these) because Ford no longer builds them, good luck with parts and service.
Hi, would be Nice to see the new polo gti vs Fiesta st.
I totally agree with you, I've owned a RS for 3 years and it still never fails to excite me everytime I drive it, RS is the way to go!!
I like both cars. The RS is the one you want to bed, and the R the partner you want to marry.
you covered how I feel in one sentence! if you don't mind I going to use your sentence in other applications throughout my life.
Hmmm...I was married for 20 years. Guess you know which one I'm more interested in 😉
Wow.. i am only 29 just got engaged... thank you for the advice sir! 🥺 stay safe!
Debated on the purchase of these two models. I was replacing a 2014 Focus ST. Ended up getting the R. Got tired of the interior of the Focus, but both cool cars. I like the sleeper factor of the Golf better. Seems like a better daily driver by far.
sleeper factor because it's boring to look at lol
(but better to sit in)
I also had a '14 ST but went to the RS instead of the R. Yes the interior is the same but absolutely nothing else is. Everything about the drive is different. Transformed car in a familiar package. Also I am one of few apparently who thinks the Golf's interior is boring. Essentially it looks the same as it did 15 years ago but with a bigger screen on the radio...
Will Spencer - true but at least the Golf R has totally different gauge clusters than the GTI. The Focus RS has almost identical gauges as a normal Focus or Focus ST, which look straight out of a rental fleet and a turbo gauge straight from AutoZone
I agree, it's a grown ups car vs a teenagers.
Joshua Burkard you made a shit decision man lol
Excellent review! Great all around mix of entertainment and facts. I love the race car driver element in this one. The production quality of your videos keeps getting better and better. Keep up the good work!
Colin Caissie agree
Great video! I have an RS and it is huge fun. Love it.
So you could inform the video maker that when you are in track mode you can press for some seconds the electronic adjustable suspension button next to the steering wheel. That way the suspension goes back to normal but the engine etc are still at Race mode.Right?
The button on the stalk only changes the suspension settings, nothing else. It either stiffens the suspension or returns it to normal
thats exactly what I am talking about ...
was just thinking about his. so using race mode and then overwrite the suspension you can have an smoother ride while in race mode. Love the focus, think its very good looking. Own the normal sedan version of it.
yes, correct. I actually did a video on this recently about "The Secret Fifth Drive Mode". It's a great mode ;)
I've driven a Golf R with coilovers, big rear sway bar, and an APR tune. That car was a complete blast and a different animal than it was stock. I'd still love to own either of them.
Yeah rear sway bar helps massively
I would not be mad driving either one; but I am soo glad I have the RS as my daily. Its just fun.
What a great video!! Love the directness , quality, commentary, and camera angles. I test drove the R and RS on the same day, back to back. I didn’t like how, despite turning off the traction control on the R, it couldn’t be turned off.. was a buzz-kill and smile sucker. The RS put a smile on my face and the traction control can be turned off. Test driving them back to back was the way to do it, as I like both cars but I wanted fresh comparison in very close proximity for instant reference one to the other. I got the 2018 limited RS new. It’s now 2022 and it has have 37k miles on it and I STILL love it. It’s my daily and does fine in New England winters (with winters tires/wheels). My only complaint is the turning radius. It’s been 100% reliable thus far and is pretty much valued what I paid for it, if not a little more!
Video was great but you should put cup 2 tires to the Golf for fair comparison :(
Özkan Uğur Çetin yep that’s at least a half second
Tires won’t do shit for the r lol he said everything is better
@@loganloganloganable The professional driver said the RS was faster "due to stickier tires and a better torque vectoring system" so tires will shave some of the difference.
@@loganloganloganable what are you talking about if you know anything about course racing or even drag it makes a huge difference.
I can tell you that putting cup 2 tires on the golf r might shave a little time off but the RS is better in every way performance wise. I have an mk7 2015 Golf R and I put Michelin pilots Super Sport on it and it's a great daily driver. The DSG gearbox is wonderful especially with an APR tune, I also had a bunch of other modifications. Full bolt-ons including a front fountain intercooler, a stage two APR tune, and I was hitting 3.5 seconds to 60 consistently. However even though I was putting up supercar type numbers in a 2.0 hatch, the car still didn't feel close to as exciting as a stock focus RS which a buddy of mine owned. Even with all the modifications and bigger power and better suspension components Etc, the focus RS just put a smile on my face that the golf r didn't.
However, the interior of the golf R smashed the RS. The materials were very German feeling and so solid. The exterior looks are obviously subjective so I can't comment on that. If you're looking for a ton of fun then the RS is by far the winner. If you're looking for an all-around daily driver that has a super fast dual clutch gearbox, sub 5 second 0 to 60 times, and seats for people comfortably while feeling very luxurious. Then it's the golf R. TBH, if I can go back I would have gotten an S3 considering it's basically the same price as the R, as well as being basically the same car, with an even nicer interior and exterior (and it's an Audi). But obviously neither are close to as sharp or fun as the RS in any aspect of its performance.
Switching from a summer performance tire to an R compound track/street tire is significant, especially when you are talking about the cup 2 (one of the best track/street tire on the market today). I would have expected the RS to easily be 3-4 seconds faster due to the tires alone. The fact that it was only 1.5 seconds quicker is not good for the RS.
Exactly!
Eric Michel people love to hate the golf. I really want to get a haldex controller.
Why it’s faster and more fun that’s all that matters
You’re jealous it’s ok
No the rs is still a lot faster lol
You definitely deserve more popularity, this is quality
+Zaptop thanks. Hopefully the series keeps growing.
Test the DSG Golf R. You'll be quite surprised how much faster it is than the manual.
Sayad Khan staff from Pinnacle Advanced Driving Academy have tested the DSG in track conditions. It is not enough difference to catch the RS on a road course.
add a apr stage 1 ecu tune and tcu tune as the Ford RS is already boosted and remapped then bye bye Ford. also adaptive suspension of the Golf R set to race.
Yes and you will also be amazed at how much more BORING as DSG is compared to a Manual ... Speed is great, but I want Driver engagement, fun, playfulness and a car that ...well, just makes me smile. RS wins for sure. Even though the RS is a faster car, that's NOT why I would chose it because its only marginally quicker...its all about the FUN!!!
Brian Jurko
Look I have driven manuals all my life...recently had my DSG Golf R TCU tuned, you hit the brakes and the gearbox down changed like a formula 1 car and changes up like a pro.
For extra spice you can get APR to put sports mode in fully manual (less a clutch) or semi where the can get more out of each gear with the paddles also.
In sports mode I do like doing my own changes but if I dont the gearbox will up shift for me.
The only downside to DSG is when you confuse the gearbox by accelerating to the speed limit then back off then suddenly then decide to increase revs. Thats called DSG confusion. The gearbox isnt sure if you wanna go up or go down.
But there is a way around the dreaded DSG lag by keeping the revs up manually.
In otherwords the DSG gearbox works best flat out in auto mode, but best with paddles when your racing. So manual.
I dont miss a manual clutch.
The only reason the Focus RS hasnt got a DSG is because Ford dont make one good enough.
That 10 or 9 speed auto that Ford co-developed with GM, that's in the 2017 ZL1 will be going in the Focus RS. That car will be twice as deadly. BILLY BANKSTOWNER I have a Eurodyne stage 2 GTI with the DSG tune. Definitely don't miss a manual either. The car is hilariously fast. Sport mode is amazing. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Perfect manners in D, and an axe murderer in sport and manual mode.
I personally would buy the Golf R just because of the quality of the interior and sleeper factor. That being said I wouldn't mind having an RS as well. Enjoyed the video.
That's why people buy VW.. Not the quality or reliability of a car, but the nice interior. You should be ashamed, because of all the fake software and lousy dealership.
Great video. I owned a modified 2016 Golf R (manual) and now own a stock 17 RS. Your analysis is spot on. The Golf R is a great all around car but has a rather dead steering rack and noticeable understeer. Even with modified suspension. The RS is just a much more fun car to drive whether it be on a track or a backroad. The stock ride is very bouncy but Mountune lowering springs will just about eliminate the pogo effect after about 300 miles.
Very good review - I like your style of real-time input on what you are feeling through the steering wheel . I've been looking through the comments on here and usually it goes either "I bought the VW R because it is most comfortable and has a nice interior" or "I bought the RS because it is more fun". I have a few responses to other comments below and mentioned I bought an RS after having an ST for a few years. While mine is not even fully broken it yet I can attest that it has all the feeling of a RWD car but with the traction of the AWD to pull you through a corner. Nothing, not even the AWD 911 turbo compares to this RWD bias feeling - one thing many have missed is that the VW with it's Haldex AWD system shows that this is a FWD GTI with a little more power and AWD. (Contrasted to be brilliant VW R32 from a few years back) However, Ford started from the beginning with a custom AWD for this car, adding the RWD bias and torque-vectoring systems, suspension, and motor together only in the RS. Some hate on the Ford's interior, but I don't know why. Soft touch materials everywhere, SYNC 3 is very good, gauge cluster on the center dash, contrast color stitching... What makes the VW interior so special? It hasn't changed much in a decade...
Sorry about the long post, but your followers seem to have more informed and mature responses than other reviewers and so I feel fit to add my 2 cents. It's cool to see how opinionated everyone is; if not for that, I suppose we'd all be happy driving Priuses or something....
(Naah.... never!)
+Will Spencer indeed. I'm very glad i generated discussion with this video. Thanks for watching and thanks for you input!
Will Spencer I know you posted this a year ago but me I if I had the money. I would buy both. I like both I tend to lean more toward the sleeper car then one that shouts I am go to kick your ass up and down the road like the Type R and the RS do type R lot more so then the RS but you get my point. that is way I just got a golf R to replace my 2013 beetle turbo that I had modi to push around 400 hp to the wheels I loved that car no one expended the beetle it was great miss that car but the all wheel drive golf is good I miss manual but the manual in the golf sucked and that is way I went with the DSG I came close to getting the RS in black but a friend I was going to buy one from said not to because of the engine blowing issue and the diff issue. and I do auto x once a mouth and I go to the drag strip once a mouth and I hope to start tracking my car soon.
This is the perfect video for me b/c I have a 17 RS and it's currently in a replacement or refund so I'm either gonna get a new RS or I'll get a refund and get an R. A really great video, thanks! ...and, thanks for the non-bias approach. I'm going to give Ford the chance to do a replacement, so here's top hoping it'll work out. Oh, and, the suspension on the new 18s has corrected the pogo stick bouncing, which is good. I like a stiff suspension and fun and the RS delivers that. I don't feel the interior is as bad as a lot say. I have gotten a lot of thumbs up from many strangers when I'm driving my RS, which is a kick.
I love the Focus , I used to be a Ford fan and owned a 2003 Ford Focus SVT for 10 years . No power house but a blast to drive . Had awesome handling ( with upgraded suspension and sway bars) for its time . I had a hope for a Focus Rs but I had to cool down when I saw the price . Sorry , just not in the budget . One thing TH did not say is that the RS is about 17000$ more expensive than the Golf R . So Now I lease a manual 2019 Golf R . I love it and we just get acquinted , so to speak . It is very refined inside and out . I like the fact that it looks " understated" . I have a short fuse when driving it and I tend to get in trouble because I hate to wait for the ones driving granny style . Overall I love the car even if I can't drift it but there are two things I wish they were diferent ... a real hand brake , not a stupid button to activate the e-brake and more engine brake .
Coming back after three years. Now I have actually been to the track myself with my S3 which is basically same as the golf R. With a set of KW v3, the S3 was able to set 1:23 with PS4s with still wonderful ride quality with makes me believe that the focus rs was a bit overhyped, some of the fun comes from the roughness. And it is interesting how after the type R come out no one even talks about the rs anymore and the golf R is still justing hanging there in the conversation.
Agreed and no-one seems to talk about all the rs engine failures haha
Nice Video, subscribed! I just purchased an RS. Live right near cayuga. Planning to get out this summer for a track day. Your video just got me much more excited for it.
Hello Brad ... you should check out pinnacledriving.com as they have a great Intro to Performance Driving course at Cayuga and word has it one of the instructors has an RS as well ;)
Still not tired of watching this! :D can't wait for the next one!
small chip tune on the R and u get 360 hp; go bolt ons ur up 400s and u cant get the RS in the 10s, as opposed to the R.
great review.
Loved the detail, cheers from BC
This a a fantastic video. He does so well explain all these things about the cars during a lap.
I chose the Golf R because it was significantly cheaper, more daily drivable and specifically because it was understated. I like that it dresses like a sleeper. I like that a minor tune can put it in or above factory Focus RS territory for power. I still admire the RS. I love the styling, love it in that sky blue, and admire the engineering that went into it. I think in a vacuum and without price consideration I'd have chosen the Focus RS. If I were choosing 1 car to drive for a day for fun, it would be the RS. The golf, though, just continues to impress and I am looking forward to a tune that will make it even better.
If you find the suspension too firm in track mode just push the button on the stalk and it will put the dampers in normal mode.
This video deserves more views..
wish someone would do one of these Golf R vs Focus RS comparison with same tires on both cars. At least on 2015 Golf R, the stock RE50A are awful, especially on autoX or track.
Geoff Choi having the same tires would certainly help even the odds. But not enough to have the Golf catch the RS. The Golf in this video does have aftermarket wheels which are much lighter than stock and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
Really it's impressive that it's as close as it is given that the Golf is down 60hp on the RS
@MrThePrivateer the R will not win...
On any track the rs is worlds better
@MrThePrivateer 😂😂😂😂 you think the R is as fast as a more powerful far more specialist car, golfs are for middle aged mums😂😂
@MrThePrivateer you can't compare a tuned golf to a standard rs, u dumb??? Golfs ARE an old man's car/ teachers run car, the r will not beat an rs anywhere this has been proven many times lol
Same reason I went with the ST over the GTI, fun factor. The Focus has it's faults, but they're easily remedied or ignored compared to the lack of excitement I felt driving a GTI.
Great video again! You should have your own TV show. No joking. Great voice and look, substantive and valuable commentary.
Fingers crossed.
+Wojciech Kozłowski thanks!! Fingers are crossed over here too lol.
Everything has been well said in this video. Both cars are great but depending on what you want your personal choice won't disappoint you. One of the best objective reviews on you tube regarding those cars. Well done but please don't play the "Stig trick" on us.
+Wowowo Rider Thanks! And I'm not capable of setting lap times do these cars justice. So that's where the racing driver has to come in. (He genuinely didn't want to be on camera)
If there was a track on my way to work, maybe a question here. However, strike 1 it is a Ford, and strike 2 we live on city streets with our cars. Golf R not even a question or pro con list made.
That golf must have a tune
Well done on the filming this looks like studio production. As for the cars, well they speak for themselves...I personally think the RS looks better. Surprising how close they are in performance, given the differences on paper!
Thanks for the review.
I'm hoping one of these two will be my next car.
mk6r
Also, noticed the RS had Cup 2 tires. I wonder how the comparo would have been with equal tires?
Good video and glad to see the R at least had PSS tires to narrow the Cup 2's grip advantage on track.
Someone needs to track BOTH with cup 2 tires. The RS will still win, but by how much...
+SCOBER not by very much im guessing.
The R with a DSG and Cup 2 tires would be identical to the RS i think. Give the R a stiffer Rear sway bar to reduce the understeer and i think it would be faster. Give it a stage 1 tune and i would easily beat the more expensive RS.
Awesome video, as usual. Really enjoyed the Stig as well, lol. As far as the video goes, I love the shots from the sliders and whatnot, but the car-to-car chase shots look pretty far away. I know it's intimidating to get too close, but the closer, the better. Check out TheSmokingTire'/ video from Gridlife this year where he follows a drift car with a photographer's camera mounted to the hood. Also, the video overlays were great, but a little display showing the time delta would be neat, too. Maybe a side-by-side like in the Motor Trend track comparisons? Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Your suggestions are bang on. These are things that will be used in following videos. I had a minor mishap this shoot and dropped my camera. It broke, so I was limited in some of my shots...
Keep both these cars for 20 years and you will find the rs will be collector's car and hold it's value
But if that’s the case you won’t want to actually drive the car. Which is exactly the reason I want the golf r.
The RS looks like it's riding on marbles.And what happened to it's 350hp vs 292hp for the R? The VW is as fast as the RS, but with a smaller engine and a ton less hp. Ford?
For rallying I'd take the RS (with a rear diff intercooler), but overall the R; hands down..
sam iamdj power is limited in 1st gear...puts less strain on drivetrain.
The RS Focus is 220 ilbs heavier and speed suffers, it has big sway bars to hold it down but comfort suffers.
The VW is also under rated. The R is most likely putting out around 325 to 335 hp at the crank.
Most videos Ive watched has the rs winning easy in the drag races
Matt R C
stock vs stock it should RS 0-100kmh 4.7 sec Golf R DSG 4.9. Tuned the Golf always wins. Yeah you can Tune a RS too but the internals are not as strong and the boost is already way up.
I have a golf r and as always when the focus comes up much hot air is released. I bought the golf because I wanted a fast comfortable car. For the 95% of the time it rules the road. When you have a chance to punch it it totally casual. Press race, drive hard and the focus still beats the golf. Then the 95% rears its ugly head ,long drive across countryside the golfs quiet comfortable ride makes the ford seem as tho it hates you bang thump bash. Or how about the 200 th time you hit the same potholes on your commute ,wait your enjoying bouncing from curb to curb at 33 kph which is the speed in the average city. . But I think the largest barrier to the car is its boy toy wings and things, imagine two years later, new fan boy toy arrives, the enthusiasts jump on the new band wagon and the golf is still quiet ,fast and the one to beat. Check out Evo's best this year, or car and drivers ten best list, odd no focus.
It's a one trick pony, over weight and one purpose. Enjoy
But the Golf is slow old mans car with no personality, its boring, the RS is a wayyyy better car
Another interesting comparison of the two. I ended up with a Golf R simply because its better and being A CAR. Its sole purpose is to commute from point A to point B with a little fun on the side. The Golf hands down does that better. In comfort and its style. I can't argue the fact that the RS is an amazing car to drive. Its just not in the same league as the VW for what they are charging for it though. I had a hard time at first choosing between which one to buy until a friend stepped into the Focus RS with me and goes "This is how much?!" With its trick differentials and fancy torque vectoring its quick a machine. Is it really worth $15k over a Focus ST? Absolutely not. The two cars look almost identical inside and out and thats severely disappointing. At $30-35k this car would be at a great price point in the marketplace. Not only is it the looks and build quality that are subpar its the claims. I mean 60+hp more and all the reviews I've seen the Golf is not far behind at all. In some instances the Golf R with the DSG has won. Yes it all depends on tires and the track but with that much of a power advantage and the fancy torque vectoring, it should be a cake walk for the RS but its not. So now for $40-45k for each car its down to the "feel" and thats just not enough to win me over in the RS. Personally, I gained all that excitement of oversteer and the back end rotating around again by adding a set of $500 adjustable camber plates and a rear sway bar. Completely killed the understeer and sharpened the steering up to par with the RS. Now in the twisties its not even a competition for me in the Golf going up against the RS. Then as soon as the blast through the curves is over, I switch it right back into comfort mode and she cruises down the road like butter. So in my opinion, the Golf is hands down the winner.
Bradley Richter all around car the Golf is the clear winner. As for preformance the Focus is well worth the extra money. Drag racing the two will make it a close race. But on a track the Focus will win quite easily. At the end of the day it simply comes down to how the power gets put to the ground. The Golf's awd system can't compare to the Focus'.
Colin Caissie I'm not here to start a debate because there just isn't one. I have two relatives with Focus RS's and a few friends who chose them as well. The simple fact of the matter is the car just isn't worth $40k. All of them have already been in for service for something with less than 5k miles on the clock. Interior stitching coming apart, stereo stopped working(probably because of the rough ride), creaks, rattles, thumps, you name it. Not to mention when motor trend tested the RS the brakes caught fire? Same thing happened to my good friend while we were at an auto cross. I'd call that a serious issue. You shouldn't have to replace the pads if the car was meant to be hooned about. Not only that, I did beat him consistently throughout the day by a fairly substantial margin. We also switched cars a couple times. Sure I have modified my car by putting a rear sway bar on it and adjustable top hats but hey he paid over $6k more for his car than mine. So why shouldn't I be able to throw a couple hundred bucks at it to make it fair if the RS is so good. Mind you I have the DSG and I think that's where a lot of the time came from but in the end I had just as much fun in my car with the tail sliding out as I did in his car. The hype will die down soon enough. While the golf has significantly improved over the years. I don't see the same for the RS. It will become the next STi or red headed step child that gets abandoned and never updated with the times. Maybe a few interior tweaks and a face lift but the performance figures will probably stay the same.
Bradley Richter I fully agree with you on the RS not having the same build quality as the R. And it does have more issues than the Golf as well. But it is still faster around an auto cross course and a track. That's all I'm saying. I'm not here to start a debate either. It's just a simple fact. I've seen it done and I've personally tested both cars as well. Both in stock and modified form. Even with suspension mods the Golf still drives around corners like a FWD. The Focus doesn't.
Colin Caissie then you've done the wrong suspension modifications. Look everywhere on forums and you will see. The Golf is just missing a few degrees of front camber hence why it understeers like a pig. Then to induce that bit of playful oversteer or to get the back to rotate around because apparently the haldex system is soooo terrible (sarcasm) you need a bigger rear sway. The Focus RS may be able to put its power down sooner out of a slow corner because of its trick all wheel drive but with those few modifications and even a new set of tires to match the RS's optional Sport Cup 2's the Golf easily edges the RS with pure mechanical grip. Fast sweepers and quick direction changes I hand it to my Golfs simple suspension setup every time. Initial turn in is better as well as holding the apex in my car compared to any RS I've driven. The SCCA solo championship rankings in my region speak for themselves :D but thanks for your input. I had a deposit on an RS and I'm more than happy that I went with the Golf now that I found it's potential. Wait till I go Stage one and I'm at a TRUE 350hp like the RS. I will be long gone and still for less money than the RS.
Bradley Richter I think we will just have to agree to disagree. 😉 But at any rate all that matters is that you enjoy the car you drive. It sounds like you do. So that's good!
Great great Video!!!
please more of this type videos
greetings from Germany
Subscribe! Ive got lots more coming.
I am a long time subscriber because I liked your videos so much
Would love to see the R with the DSG transmission instead of the manual.
Also Sport Cup 2's vs PSS's on track hardly surprised by the result.
I agree. And the fact that I got an Audi S3 for $22k when an RS is still $30k used... I'll keep my 8 grand and have a car that doesn't rattle my spine on my 500 mile weekly commutes.
Manual is for people that actually can drive that’s why
@@loganloganloganable and want a slower car
RS is awesome. I drive a modified STI, but I have respect for all fun and fast cars.
You are much more enjoyable to watch than Gary Gastelu of the Fox Car Report! Maybe they should hire you!! Great job on this and all you videos.
a.k.a. Kaktusjaque (catus jack)
Cactus Jack! Thanks! glad to have you watching! Share the channel, Ive got lots of cool BMW stuff coming soon too!
the 'growl' in the Golf R is mostly from the soundaktor transducer in the engine bay. I turned it off via Vagcom when I got my R.
Nope ... it was turned off ... but the car does have a resonator delete
excellent production values !
When you consider the "market correction" of $5,000 the local Ford dealer charges for the RS, my slightly used 2015 Golf R with APR Stage 2 (398 HP and 409 TQ) and DSG tune with MSSKits sports springs, SuperPro front LCA, Neuspeed BBK and too many other options to list costs about the same. Anytime you are in the Houston-area, you can test drive my Golf-R and see which one is more fun. Before you make a wise-crack about DSG vs. manual, I own a 2016 991.1 Porsche GTS with a 7-speed MT. While I can appreciate a track-focused car, it still needs to be civilized on the road.
Great video, lets hope you two can get your hands in more cool cars.
Placed my order for a RS 2 weeks ago and can't wait till I get at least a VIN #. If you order one, expect a very long wait.
Fine comparison and even though everyone's done this comparo, this was quite fun to watch! Looking forward to the next video! As for your comment about being a complete idiot and drift the RS, the fellow in New York who crashed his RS in drift mode would like to have a word with you :D
+Roads Needed I was wondering if someone was going to bring that guy up hahaha. He must have been going silly speeds because you can feel the car really controlling how much you slide.
The Golf R is tail happy if you apply a litter counter-steer before a corner. Also stability control needs to be off (hold for 5 seconds).
+AstroFantastica yep I had the traction fully off and I could get it to slide around a bit by lifting off mid corner. The technique you are describing is essentially a Scandinavian flick. I tried that as well and it does help. But under power it still understeers where the RS allows you to steer with the throttle. Allowing power oversteer. The golf would only understeer under power at the limit.
E46 Reviews with T.H. That has a lot to do with the stock tires as well. I'm running Michelin Pilot Supersports on my 7R and the difference is astonishing.
If I weren't putting nearly 3k miles per month on the car, I may have chosen the RS... but I am, and the R is just the better choice for someone who does a lot of long drives and occasionally comes across an enthusiast's canyon road.
They're both so good.
Love your reviews and the RS
Awesome vid
Thanks for watching!
I just wish the Focus didn't have some major things I dislike about it, otherwise I'd be putting down a deposit right now. I really dislike the interior, I think the rear of the car is kinda ugly and way too similar to a regular Focus, and there's no DCT option. Manual is fun, but it can be a pain sometimes too. I don't find it any more fun personally than a DCT in manual mode.
I’d like to see the other race you did
Love this video. More serious than current videos though
As much as I love a manual. The VW DSG in the Golf R is actually better than the stick. Idk how you can mess up a stick. But oh well. Stock, yes the R feels softer. But its easier to live with. But, the R absolutely loves to be tuned and modified. The R will handle mods and tunes so much better than almost anything out there. With a turbo, intake, tune, and downpipe. You have a car doing the quarter mile in McLaren territory. And I will definitely say that the R could use adjustable suspension that gets stiffer and wider tires. You can also tune the Haldex AWD to become more rear wheel. In my opinion, the VW is built soo much better than the RS. And I've driven both. It just feels solid. And the quality feels more expensive than what you are paying. The RS is fun. But, feels kind of cheap for what you are paying. Just my opinion.
Lol at the people in the comment discussing interior quality on a track focused review 😉
+23snowy23 lol indeed.
Lol at a track focused review
Lol they are just sad the r is slower they are trying to make excuses now
I have done a little bit more research. The Ford Focus RS has huge sway bars. This causes less comfort but better handling. If you threw bigger sway bars on the Golf R you would find it handles the same especially the turn in. Lots of Golf Drivers who do track also add coil over springs etc. So if you want a track car and like to do your own gear changes and dont mind a car that has an ugly ass and interior buy a Focus. If you want a car you will use mostly on the Road but a Golf. If you want to be "Excited" add an APR stage 1 ecu/tcu tune and drive a Golf R Monster. Its the extra power that brings on the excitement trust me. The extra clutch in the rear of the Focus only is useful for slippage but many driver of Focus are reporting weird torque steer or instability when overtaking at high speeds. The reviewer hinted about this confusion.
I did a 1:23.2 with better tires and by removing the toe in on the rear of the R. Also worth mentioning i'm NOT a professional driver and it was my first time lapping Cayuga. Don't think there is much difference between these cars, I just prefer the one that doesn't have huge warranty recalls.
Hopefully you can redo the test with a control tyre, and the Golf R running its native DSG ( instead of that rubbish 6 speed).
Golf R DSG + Control Tyre
Focus RS 6 speed Manual + Control Tyre
I know what i'd be choosing
Benjay1975 it's not about the tires or the DSG. It's about how the cars put the power down. RS has the better all wheel drive system. It simply corners better. It's an inescapable fact.
why do we never ever see golf R DSG vs Focus RS
Once again a review against a RS , using the basic model golf r. This test is also on tyres that are night and day in grip.
Get the golf with the same set of tyres and dsg, as this is the faster model, also ddc suspension and make it a fair test
I thought the RS was just a little too much for me and went for the R which I thought was a better daily driver.
Definitely the golf is just a better all rounder
the focus Rs its nice and performance, but the golf R its performance and luxury, i dont really like the RS plastic cheap interior and some cheap parts from ford. the golf R has its german ingeniering signature.
Ines Serna slow trash lol give up performance for some cute interior that’s girly af
Well no shit the rs is better on the track, the golf wasn't intended to be a track car.
Neither of these cars really are. They are both built on an economy FWD based platform, so a lot of compromises are made. Since i own one, i'll use the RS as an example; It doesn't have a proper mechanical front diff. It needs camber plates so you can tune in camber. It needs an oil cooler. It needs an oil catch can. It needs better cooling for it's rear diff. I could go on for a while...
Make no mistake, it's a great car that is a blast to drive on road and track out of the box for short periods. Aweome price to performance ratio and such... But it isn't even close to being a car purposefully built for track use. It simply among other things, doesn't have the endurance. For example, you'd have to do a cooldown lap every 3 or 4 laps on a track the size of the one in this video, to prevent the engine and RDU from cooking.
+ZenzDeluxe you are correct neither are purpose built track cars. They both make compromises. However. We were surprised to find that the RS was beaten up all day (5-6 drag launches, 8-10 moderately aggressive laps in my hands, then 7-8 hot laps in the racing drivers hands.). Albeit there was a small break between those sessions, and other than a strong smell of clutch coming from the rear, the RS never had any diff overhearing issues at all and kept performing with back to back laps.
I can believe that, there are different variables at play that could cause some cars to last longer in certain conditions (humidity being a big factor) before overheating. Note that by overheating, i don't necessarily mean "the engine started underperforming because of heat soak or the RDU went in safe mode, disabling the diff". The thing you have to remember is, consumers who buy this car with their hard earned cash, would like to keep using it for a long time. If you want to do that, and keep using the car for (heavy) track use, you have to start thinking about that heat. The empirical fact is, there is too much heat under track use that the car's cooling systems can't mitigate. That means excessive wear, which will eventually lead to failures.
I'm gonna reiterate though, it's a great car, it's awesome on the street and in short stints on the track. All i'm saying is, for those that are buying it for heavy track use, do some research (the focusrs.org forum is good, and there are some YT videos that elaborate on it as well, which i won't link because i think your content is good i don't want to steer people away). Planning on buying it for the street? Forget all of the critisism above, you won't ever get the car as hot.
Ford say they designed it for 30 mins of track use. So I guess that aligns with what you mentioned above. I imagine that's about right for the sort of stints a casual track day user would want to subject their road car to.
a little butt hurt...
So, the RS maybe the fastest manual hot hatch, but the R may just be the best overall hot hatch, to be fair the Focus is currently one of the oldest platforms and the Golf being one of the newest, the RS has a better awd system, the R gives you a choice of DCT or manual, the R interior is nicer, but at the end of the day it's which one is the best hot hatch and the performances doesn't lie, the RS is crazy and while there's no DCT available, imagine if there was, there’s a new gen Focus coming, one can only hope Ford been paying attention to the competition, meaning the gen next Focus RS needs, a nice interior, more interior space, a choice of transmissions (manual yes, but DCT should be an option) and etc, note the R’s DCT is at least .5 secs quicker to 60 than the manual R
Last comment. SKIDDING for a second around a bendy and then rushing to regain control isn’t a drift. It’s a skid and looked borderline panic inducing. Hold it and feather and steer etc = drift. Jerky skid around corner = NO DRIFTY!!!
MK7.5 Golf R owner here..
The reason for me to choose R over RS is trunk space. For RS it's stupidly small, which just won't work for me. If I go with RS, I would rather buy Camaro SS, V8, awesome sound, very fast on track, cool look, shitty trunk space, but, but, much much less expensive than the RS!! Now is too late, but back to Sep/Oct, you can buy 2016 Ss with $10,000 off! For 2017, it's just msrp otd, about $46K you get a very loaded 2SS, for 1SS even below 40K. Compared to RS, you can't avoid f*ing mark up in NorCal, which makes it's price ridiculous, I would go with m2 with that price, although BMW dealers are stupid now too, marking up m2 because they found idiots buying 20K markup m4gts... anyway! I will choose SS over RS. For Golf R, I use it to buy freezer, washer, carry 2 bikes etc.
The racing car driver sounds like the "bad ass" from "No Country for Old Men"
Until after a handful of laps and those fancy diffs that give you power on over steer overheat and you have a $50K under steering front driver. And that is completely stock, that will only get worse with mods. If you want a track car, get a balanced sports car, there is no substitute.
Very good review. Informative and mature.
Lots of people are having problems with the focus rs rear diff getting too hot and disengaging.
As an enthusiast, $$$ always plays a huge part deciding the fairness of comparison like this. Cost of each car was never mentioned but we know RS cost more than the R.
To assess the fairness in value and performance of these 2 cars, both cars in someway MUST cost the same. Lets say RS cost 5K (only) more than the R (example only), as an enthusiasts I could get the R a stg1 tune (just so it's close to RS power and torque output), better tires, springs, sway bars and mounts. In total it would cost me about the same as the RS but I will bring home a better car. Not to mention the better ride on the R even after upgrades and way better interiors! Who likes to drive like crazy (aggressive) everyday? You will appreciate the calmness of the R in the long run and those upgrades will propel you way ahead of the RS.
+silvercrown88 just so you know. This Golf has 3000 dollars in new wheels and tires.
Not to mention the Focus RS comes with a set of winter wheels and tires ($2500+) and a snazzy car cover ;) There is also the cost of borrowing to consider as the Focus is 0% for lease and finance!
E46 Reviews with T.H.
Well, i dont need new wheels, i just need better tires. And RS actually cost 8k more than the R. I can do way more with that amount of money. As an enthusiast that's my criteria of a fair comparison....
Zoomby_U
lol! winter wheels/tires and snazzy cover... i love those! 😀
with 8k$ to spend, an enthusiast could bring the R to the next + level (new winter wheels/tires and snazzy cover included if that's what makes you happy, otherwise it's savings) and it will be moot and stupidly not fair to the RS if you force to compare the R with it.
+silvercrown88 ok to end this now. These two cars were intended to be put up against one another. They are leading awd hot hatchbacks in a "similar" price category and therefore I have to consider them in their stock form. Yes obviously if you mod the golf you can make it faster. But that simply isn't the point. I could spend 8k on my BMW which cost 6k to begin with and strip the interior, do heavy engine mods, and put in coilovers with huge sticky tires and in the hands of the right driver could beat the focus. So with these two cars anyway people are interested to find out how they feel in their mostly stock form. Also for the record: I don't think the mods you have listed can get rid of the inherent tendency to understeer under power in the golf. The extra overdrive gear in the rear diff of the focus is what gives it the "fun" factor the golf feels that it's missing.
Please road test the new golf R 2021 would like your comment
All these people trying to make excuses for the r lol rs is a better car just accept it every video on CZcams says the same thing
Let me know next time you at Tmp. I share office space with Uli>
but for sure, the Rs looks like a fun car, I really like them both!
no way a stock golf r could beat a stock rs on a drag so golf r is not stock at all
if you put the electronic dampers from the golf r on the Ford, you'd see significant improvement in driving experience
The Ford already has electronic dampers. :) The VW you can choose: very soft or regular soft. In the Ford you can choose: regular hard or very hard. ;P
Hi I am about to put a deposit on a new FK8 Type R. Can I ask your honest opinion on the Type R compared to Golf R, Focus RS and Audi S3 please. Which would you buy. I know the Type are loses on drag race but how does it do once rolling and overall. 👍
Every time I see some version of this premise I have to ask the same question.
Why are you buying a 3200lbs+ economy hatchback to track? Miata has been around over 30 years.
Is the golf r stock? Asking because this is the first video I've seen where the manual r takes the rs in the quater mile
He said they each both won once in the 1/4
Why did you say 50000 dollar hatchback before the whole Covid19 thing then 7 years later complain that these cars were being Marked Up ?
Great fun stuff.You think these bad boys are fast in a drag.Get your hands on a Audi TTs mk3,it murders the RS in a drag race 😊🏁 The RS was designed for track use the R wasn’t.
stickier tires is really whats making all the difference, and don't the Focus have an extra 50 horses
+Bruce Grimes stickier tires help for sure. BUT the focus is much easier to drive fast because of how it delivers its power to the ground. It puts more power to the rear allowing you to power through the corners in a more balanced fashion.
My R is a little numb in corners, but with a $500 jb4 getting it close to 370hp with the warranty, and an interior I can actually get my girlfriend in, it was an easy choice. The RS is awesome, but that interior everyday 😬
Does anybody know of any good tracks around the greater New York area ? I have an R. And dying to put her thru the paces.
*Do test drives count if they happen in Canada?*
+hulkhatepunybanner hahahahah
Interesting...those cup 2 on the rs are at least a half second quicker
wow good job dude
Does the Golf have the optional Adaptive Suspension if not this review isnt correct
LOL, so many Golf R fanboys in the comments making shit up about the RS...... cheap interior... stiff suspension.... lol.... Hardly the case from my experience owning my RS.....
Where does the race start someone save me please
Excellent video!