2014 Ford Focus vs 2014 Subaru Impreza vs 2014 Volkswagen Golf

2014 Ford Focus

2014 Subaru Impreza

2014 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

4-Door Sedan S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Focus 4-Door Sedan S	26	36	$15,843	$16,810
Focus 4-Door Sedan SE	26	36	$17,358	$18,615
Focus 4-Door Sedan Titanium	26	37	$21,975	$23,565
Focus 5-Door HB SE	26	36	$17,824	$19,115
Focus 5-Door HB ST	23	32	$22,486	$24,115
Focus 5-Door HB Titanium	26	37	$22,441	$24,065

Select style

4-Door Automatic 2.0i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Impreza Sedan 4-Door Automatic 2.0i	27	36	$18,021	$18,895
Impreza Sedan 4-Door Automatic 2.0i Limited	27	36	$21,072	$22,195
Impreza Sedan 4-Door Automatic 2.0i Premium	27	36	$19,315	$20,295
Impreza Sedan 4-Door Manual 2.0i	25	34	$17,104	$17,895
Impreza Sedan 4-Door Manual 2.0i Premium	25	34	$18,815	$19,795
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Automatic 2.0i	27	36	$18,486	$19,395
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Automatic 2.0i Limited	27	36	$21,537	$22,695
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Automatic 2.0i Premium	27	36	$19,780	$20,795
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Automatic 2.0i Sport Limited	27	36	$21,978	$23,195
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Automatic 2.0i Sport Premium	27	36	$20,685	$21,795
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Manual 2.0i	25	33	$17,569	$18,395
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Manual 2.0i Premium	25	33	$19,280	$20,295
Impreza Wagon 5-Door Manual 2.0i Sport Premium	25	33	$19,768	$20,795

Select style

4-Door HB DSG Driver's Edition PZEV

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Driver's Edition PZEV	24	32	$29,563	$30,795
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Wolfsburg PZEV	24	32	$25,147	$26,195
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Driver's Edition PZEV	21	31	$28,507	$29,695
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Wolfsburg PZEV	21	31	$24,091	$25,095
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV	23	30	$19,195	$19,995
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	23	30	$22,075	$22,995
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$25,248	$26,300
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$26,875	$27,995
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$24,192	$25,200
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$25,819	$26,895

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$15,843

$18,021

$29,563

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$16,810

$18,895

$30,795

Monthly Payment Estimate

$280 / month

$315 / month

$513 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.8

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

Even without considering the top-performance ST, the 2014 Ford Focus is one of the best-driving small cars on the market--with the impression of being an accessible premium car, not a spruced-up econobox.

The 2014 Subaru Impreza remains the only option in its class to come equipped with standard all-wheel-drive, where many don't offer it all. It's tough, practical, and looks good, too.

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf hatchback offers excellent handling and a good ride, premium interior design and materials, and a range of engines--including the efficient TDI diesel--but at a premium price.

TCC Likes

Precise steering, deft handling
Composed, refined ride
Focus ST is a hoot

Attractive styling
Responsive, drama-free handling
Standard AWD

Good ride, super handling
High-quality interior
Sturdy, fuel-efficient TDI diesel

TCC Dislikes

Space-robbing dash design
Cluttered base audio controls
Pricer than other compacts

Interior trim still feels cheap
Road noise
Mandatory AWD

Styling hardly changes
Slow, thirsty base engine
Minimal back-seat space

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

27 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.7

54.2

52.8

Front Leg Room (in)

41.9

43.5

41.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.7

96.9

92.9

Front Hip Room (in)

53.9

52.2

Second Leg Room (in)

33.2

35.4

35.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.3

39.8

39.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

52.7

53.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.6

54.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.1

38.5

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.7

57.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

59.6

59.7

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

104.1

101.5

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.8

68.5

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

59.4

60.4

Length, Overall (in)

178.5

180.3

165.9

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.2

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.2

Brakes

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.8

10.7

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.9

12.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake Type

Front Disc/Rear Drum

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.4

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

35.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P195/65HR15

P225/40HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Full-Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/65HR15

P225/40HR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2935

3010

3160

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 X 5.5

15 X 6

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Full-Size

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 X 5.5

15 X 6

18 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

590

480

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

120

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

146 @ 4450

145 @ 4200

207 @ 1700

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

160 @ 6500

148 @ 6200

200 @ 5100

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded H-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Description Cont.

Manual w/OD

CVT w/OD

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.92

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.67

3.58 - 0.62

3.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.82

3.70

4.06

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.46

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.80

1.09

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.72

3.67

3.99

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.14

2.15

Trans Order Code

44Z

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.03

1.08

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Focus

Subaru Impreza Sedan

Volkswagen GTI

Body Style

Sedan

Hatchback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Short And Long Arm

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Short And Long Arm

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.9

6.0

6.7

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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