Volkswagen Golf vs. Ford Focus
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus 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 Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. 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. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $9,997 to $19,990 while a used 2018 Ford Focus is priced between $6,990 to $20,588.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the Ford Focus base engine makes 160 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 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, a compact car, 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:
20910
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
20571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14395 - 39785
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20540
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
20571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14395 - 39785
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15511
Price Range:
9997 - 19990
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15390
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8856 - 27909
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71059
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13132
Price Range:
6990 - 20588
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15390
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8856 - 27909
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
385
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77021
# Good or Great Deals:
121
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Ford Focus Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 11.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.133
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 11.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.068
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.3676493062442265
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.9 - 13.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.3336557019878184
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.9 - 13.2
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
32 out of / 37Ford Focus Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE
Ford Focus Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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
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
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
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
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
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
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
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Pure White
Gold
Not available
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Lightning Blue
Gray
Magnetic
Red
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Clearcoat
White
Oxford White
Gold
White Gold
Green
Outrageous Green Metallic Clearcoat
Silver
Ingot Silver
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Gray
Charcoal Black / Medium Light Stone
