Volkswagen Golf R vs. Ford Focus
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R 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 R and the Ford Focus.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of interior volume 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 fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Volkswagen Golf R ranges from $20,467 to $34,999 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 R’s base engine makes 292 horsepower, and the Ford Focus base engine makes 160 horsepower. The Golf R is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 421 miles. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. This gives the Ford Focus the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Golf R. The Golf R uses premium unleaded, and the Focus uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
39785
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:
27909
Price Range:
20467 - 34999
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15390
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8856 - 27909
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
22
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
84403
# 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:
560
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
82740
# Good or Great Deals:
202
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Ford Focus Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
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:
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:
3.930406483716782
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 R Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
28 out of / 29Ranking
29 out of / 29Ford Focus Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
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):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
292 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.088 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:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 421 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
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
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
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
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 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:
3300 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
168.4 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 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:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/35R19
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
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Gray
Indium Gray Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Oryx White Pearl
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
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Charcoal Black / Medium Light Stone
