Ford Focus vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf.
In comparing the Ford Focus's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Ford Focus's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Ford Focus ranges from $8,627 to $22,999 while a used 2018 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $13,701 to $21,284.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Focus’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 170 horsepower. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Focus. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Focus has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,540
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,910
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,834
Price Range:
$8,627 - $22,999
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
510
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,068
# Good or Great Deals:
196
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,405
Price Range:
$13,701 - $21,284
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
24
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
60,008
# Good or Great Deals:
12
Ford Focus Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
Ford Focus Rankings
Not yet available
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Focus Trim Levels
RS, SE, SEL, ST, Titanium, S
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
160 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
298 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
23.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
113.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2987 lbs
Width:
80.5 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
171.7 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Lightning Blue
Gold
White Gold
Gray
Magnetic
Green
Outrageous Green Metallic Clearcoat
Red
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Clearcoat
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gold
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Gray
Charcoal Black / Medium Light Stone
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
