Hot hatch battle: Focus RS vs Civic Type R vs M140i vs RS 3 vs Golf R vs AMG A 45
Hot hatch heaven
Reader’s view: which hot hatch would you buy?
David Williams owns a Volkswagen Golf R – his second of this generation model. An operations director for a management consultancy, he agrees that the Golf R offers a package that’s hard to beat for the price. Nonetheless, he is interested to find out whether any of the other cars in our group test could persuade him to change in the future.
After driving all six, Williams finds they all have good things to offer and is impressed by the variety. But it’s the Ford Focus RS that earns his greatest respect. “This the nicest. It has the most natural steering feel and suspension feel, the engine has more than enough ‘stonk’ and sounds good – I don’t know how much is synthesised. Personally, I find the exhaust pops and bangs a bit too much. The thing that would stop me buying one would be the ride comfort, for day to day use, and then the interior; it’s not a nice place to be compared to the Golf – which is the same money.”
The Honda’s handling feels different to the others. Williams feels the car has to be taken by the scruff of the neck to get the best from it, but enjoys the rush the engine gives higher in the rev range – although the turbo lag proves noticeable. “The gearbox feels great and the driving position and pedals make it easy to heel-and-toe when slowing and shifting down a gear.”
The RS3 may not shine on a track but Williams finds it’s a “nice package on the road. The character of the five-cylinder engine is lovely. I could see myself spending a bit more money to own this car – probably an extra £5,000 – but not £10,000!”
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 felt the fastest around the test track, says Williams. But the interior is judged to be lacking somewhat in the taste department, and the car proves to be less impressive on the road. “The gearbox isn’t as good as the Audi’s and the car in general feels a bit inert.” An unpleasant resonance from the exhaust when cruising and too many pops and bangs also spoil the driving experience for Williams.
On the road, Williams enjoys the BMW. The engine in particular is a highlight, but the brakes and suspension let it down, says Williams. “On bumpy roads it’s the one that feels like it would throw itself into a ditch.”
Last but by no means least comes the Golf R, a car Williams knows well. This one has adjustable dampers, which come in for praise, but the engine is noticeably the least powerful here. “It feels nicely adjustable, and responds to how you use the throttle. The gearbox is functional at best, not a tactile thing to use. It’s a less powerful car but it doesn’t feel out of its depth here.”
