Volkswagen Golf vs Ford Focus vs Vauxhall/Opel Astra 2017 review | Head2Head
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2016
- The Vauxhall Astra, the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus are all great choices if you're looking to buy an economical hatchback that's not only perfect for commuting but offers enough space for a family excursion at the weekend. Mat gets behind the wheel of these three small family hatches to give you his verdict and help you pick the perfect new car. Enjoy!
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Read our full Vauxhall Astra review -
www.carwow.co.uk/Vauxhall/ast...
Read our full Volkswagen Golf review -
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Cars in this review:
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTI Elite Nav
Volkswagen Golf
Ford Focus
Prices and discounts correct on 7 September 2016.
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Ford Focus:
www.carwow.co.uk/ford/focus/deals?UA-cam&Make-Ford-Model-Focus-Type-deal
Vauxhall Astra:
www.carwow.co.uk/Vauxhall/Astra/deals?UA-cam&Make-Vauxhall-Model-Astra-Type-deal
Volkswagen Golf (2017-present):
www.carwow.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/deals?UA-cam&Make-Volkswagen-Model-Golf-Type-deal
@BournemouthXtras .
@Syst3M D3Cod3s didnt expect to get a reply but nice
I just love this guy. Makes every review so much fun.
Couldn't agree more🙌🏼
Apart from Chriss Harris, Matt and the guys make the most professional reviews on youtube. I'm genuinely surprised they don't have more subscribers
Lease4Less p
Agree !
the Astra is also the best looking one out of these three, specially in that awesome colour
backspace in the astra is just awsome. One of the best features. i work as a car salesman (an used to sell opel / vuaxhall before) and this model must have the biggest back seat in it's class. I'm 192 cm tall and behind myself in my seating position i had about 7-10 cm from my knees to the front ''chair''. Great! and the corsa is very nice too for being a small car.
Really like the new Astra too
just because of you i bought an Astra. Thanks
Has it broke down yet?
@@yanan3681 stfu
@@BR1T807 vauxhall has been shit since the early 90s. I'm a mechanic and I can count on one hand how times iv changed the spark plugs without the coil packs crumbling to pieces, and iv done a lot of them.
@@yanan3681 And what? Don't generalize, I was working as a mechanic and I saw a lot of shit from VAG, Fiat, so the cars its just random they can give a thousands of problems or none, I have 1 corsa C 1.2 for 19 years with 258 k km and not even 1 single problem and a Astra H Opc for 4 years and no problems too, getting the car to 450 bhp on dyno next weekend ;)
Wolfie The Wanderer Lol astras are reliable.
Just bought an Astra today, this video has reassured me that I made the right choice
are you happy with the car
Just got mine yesterday
How’s the car a year on I’ve heard a lot of reliability problems
0:57
lol After seeing a VW Golf, literally any car looks 10 times sharper than it actually is.
I've got a 16 Reg Astra 1.4 Turbo 150ps SRi and its is great! Had it 5 weeks and have done 2700 miles... and i wouldn't change a thing.
Just got mine yesterday after doing some research, it is a brilliant car and the stuff you get for the low value is incredible.
Agree it’s a superb car!!!
Rhys Claydon-Wotherspoon
Can I ask you about the consumption of the car? I am thinking to buy the 1.4 petrol tyrbo 150ps and I am littlebworry about the consumption.
Can you give me sime.numbers?
Anestis Minasidis get the diesel bi turbo it’s a different machine 160 bhp 55mpg real world petrol power only at top end very flat in rev range and 37mpg
And I had the 1.4 turbo 150 and got rid of it
Test drove the Astra this week and as a one time hater of Vauxhall cars I was surprised and impressed at just how good it is. Placed my order straight after the test drive for the excellent Elite Nav model.
Philip Jones Never thought I would like an Astra, but recently bought a 58 plate Astra H (2 models back) as my first car and I LOVE IT! You can chuck it around corners and it will just grip and go and with its 1.6l 115bhp direct fuel injection engine it just goes like a rocket. Fantastic car and to hear that the new one is even better (and looks even more so) well, I have a tough decision to make between that and the new Fiesta, in my mind the two best drivers cars you can buy.
Philip Jones I am utterly gobsmacked how good the Astra is - I have the elite in bi turbo with the nicer wheels, 60mpg and shifts very quickly !
I'm away to order the 1.4T VX line nav, with some added extras. Hope I've made the right decision!
The gearboxes are shit.
I've just driven a 1.4 Astra from London to Glasgow and back and I was astounded at how good it is.
Great job, Mat. Well done! Totally agree with you about Astra,, which also has such a cool feature like a matrix led head lights
Vauxhall Astra, love it.
The Vauxhall Astra is by far the best!
Ditched a 15 plate Focus ST for a 68 plate Astra Elite Nav with 1.6t petrol. I do not regret my decision. The Astra is absolute joy to drive and is at its best on a bendy country A/B road. I’d argue an Elite Nav, just with factory spec is the best value for money hatchback on the road, you get the 8inch touch screen and upgraded audio, front and rear heated leather seats with electric lumbar support, rear USB ports for charging gadgets, heated steering wheel, dual zone climate control, front and rear electric windows. For an extra £90 you can order a boot organiser which removes the boot lip and provides an organiser for the usual stuff people carry in the boot.
So happy right now, just bought my first car yesterday and it is an astra. Stumbled on this video today and see that it comes out of the test really well. Always nice to hear.
I have an Astra 1.6 biturbo - it is absolutely superb!!!!! In every aspect it impresses 160 BHP and 60mpg and heated front and back seats and heated steering wheel is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of equipment!
am looking for a new car.boy this was so helpful Its gonna be an Astra for me . Thankyou for the information
I want to thank you fo r this video, I was actually considering buying a Civic or a Focus and at the time I did not even thought about the Astra, and now, because of you I went to see it and bought it instead of the other 2
By far the best car reviews I've seen so far. Really well done with just the sort of information I'd need.
Great presenter too. Thanks.
Great review matt and i completely agree with your verdict about each car, the astra as you said is great although i dont think it looks bad from the front anyway great work.
thank you mat! went for astra after this review, and im very satisfied for my choice!
I bought a 15 reg Focus 1.5tdci Titanium last August and love it, its really refined and nice to drive
Clean your sensor in outside camera from dust on the right side, you have spots in many videos :)
Had a 1.4 petrol Astra with 150bhp as a courtesy car from Vauxhall while my 2015 insignia was in for service. Was a lovely car to drive. Considering part exchanging the insignia for an astra at some point. Think I'd go for the 1.4 150bhp or 1.6 200bhp petrol engine. I always thought elite nav was top spec model but today found out there's a new ultimate trim level that's top of the range with absolutely every option fitted and is the only trim to have led lights as standard. Looked round one today with the 200bhp 1.6 petrol engine
Matt....i didn't believe you one year ago.Soooo i actually bought an Astra with 5 doors a few weeks ago, simple 1.4, 125 horsepower as a three year old used car....Mate you were spot on, not even for the price (which was also not much), it's a brilliant car!Revs like hell, turns like a devil.So all things considered, i do believe you now, thank you!
Those alloys on the Focus!! Oh my god! They're gorgeous! I want to buy the Ford just for those wheels. And even the rest of the car looks brilliant, with the Mustang-like front. That combined with those wheels.... I'm sold.
Shows how unbiased carwow is.
every other car reviewer would rank the Vauxhall last just because a Vauxhall.
it's just a shame carwow tossed its objectivity image in the bin, newer reviews are no longer objective and Mat literally hugs any German he comes across
Matt, really love your review
Nice review Mat as always.
And Matt just seems to make every single car review watchable
I love the new Astra all way round. Really am considering it for my next car.
The ISOFIX on the Golf is a lot simpler than you make out, it's actually just as easy and quick as you showed in the Astra.
Mat, thanks for the thorough reviews, the best I could find. Maybe anyone could recommend a car search engine that includes 2 features no engine I've found mentions: highway road grip & cabin quietness. I have some high speed anxiety and these two are the must. Costs vary so approximately of 2016-2017 Polo or Astra.
Mat's reviews helped me to focus on Astra, Focus, Golf maybe, but I might go for bit larger cars if that helps to reach the goal of reduced noise and extra stability. The question is if there is a way to find the models that fit my search.
Hey. I've also got a bit of high speed anxiety too but didn't know there was a word for it. A while ago drove a Honda Civic for work and was amazed how quiet it was inside, how stable it felt and how smooth it was to drive - high winds on the motorway became almost a non-issue. Definitely worth a test drive. I will be considering one for my next car. Have always driven focuses and they are good but quite rattley compared to civic. Hope this helps and good luck.
I had a hard time choosing recently between the Astra, mazda 3 and the Golf.
I loved the Mazda 3, but it was so noisy compared to the other two and had to be revved hard to get the speed due to being NA
The Astra was nice but the interior looked a bit cheap compared to the other 2, quite nice to drive though. Sadly it was missing some basic kit that I wanted, namely ACC and rear armrests.
I got the golf in the end due to it feeling the best to drive, also mine came with a free sunroof and ACC as standard.
i do kind of wish I had got the Mazda 3 in the end as it is easily the best looking car in the class and despite it's faults I think I would have been slightly happier with it.
i had a focus in the past and it was nothing special at all, wouldn't get another.
Normally I wouldn't bother saying anything about these type of cars but after buying a new Astra for the wife and she really loves it which comes back to me with more x.. But in all honesty it's an excellent car.
good for you...... i want more x to but i dont have a wife
Thought I should mention that the Ford Focus did get an interior update in 2017 which added a smoother infotainment system called sync 3 which does include apple car play and Android Auto. Also, some of the materials were changed in the interior along with the addition of a rear arm rest on models that are titanium and higher.
Well my 2015 focus has a rear arm rest, its a titanium x.
@@jamesc1 You can Upgrade your Sync2 with an Update to SYNC3.
I’m getting the Astra.. Thanks for this great review!
Had my Astra Elite Nav Biturbo for 3yrs now and its been absolutely flawless,great car.
What engine?
Great review. You should do a Head2Head between S class / 7 Series / A8. Keep up the good work!
I've owned the Astra for 6 days, utterly fantastic!!!!
Jamie Harper-Walton I have the bi turbo I absolutely love it!
And then what? It Broke down? Hehehe..
Nope, Vauxhall car will have less chance breaking down than a ford or volkswagen, search it up hehe
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior Hyudai is Korean and no German car can compete with Accord. Talking out of your ass, baddy
I have the 1.6 diesel automatic one. Its great !! Just got it a week ago
Focus owner here - Ford Focus Trend 1.5 Ecoboost (manual) in Australia.
It's my first car, being 17, and it's great to drive. Everyone seems to complain about the infotainment system, but this isn't the case with the (newer) Sync 3 system. Sync 3 is batshit boring to look at, but it's very functional. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (although I never use either).
The 1.5 EcoBoost feels very torquey (is that a word?), with a great transmission and easy clutch. I've upgraded to some 18" wheels (from the ugly stock 16's) with Bridgestone RE003's, and it handles very well with stock suspension. Also sounds _surprisingly_ good with a muffler delete.
Great car for the money, albeit cheap on some aspects.
Exactly what I wanted to see and hear 3 great comparisons!! G Vid ❤️❤️❤️💋
I agree with the verdict, only i think the front of the new astra is good, and the back is less good
still better than the other two's
red color for astra is better
red color for astra is better
I am afraid he just dont gives a shit what Matt says and so do i.
The most important thing in any car review is the bottle test. Let's not forget that. If a car manufacturer would like to win reviews then make sure you can store a large amount of bottles in the side door.
i've driven recently an aastra g , a mk4 golf and a mk1 focus
i must say , the focus is the most fun to drive
the astra is the most comfortable
and the vw golf the most practicle
Well, that bodes well. I've just ordered the 2017 Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 SRi 200 Nav. Can't wait. :)
i drive this astra often, its a company car and its great, 200 hp, drives well, looks good and I think its better than our 200 hp seat leon, also its more reliable, just a great car.
Ford Focus all day long hands down 8 inch sat nav --no turbo lag--seemless auto transmission --active grill assist -great handling-132kw 1.5-- 5 star safety rating-
Great video and review. As someone who has driven many company cars I have noticed over the last 5/6 years or so the vast improvement in quality from Vauxhall. The company I work for has many cars 2 of which are VW touran and a Zafira tourer. The Vauxhall is way better in every way in terms of comfort and refinement. Matt is one if the very few car journalist that does NOT allow the "placebo" effect to affect him, unlike many other car journalists. I am 100% sure that if you could replace the Vauxhall badge with a VW badge you would get very different opinions GUARANTEED. Give credit were credit is due, Vauxhall are finally now making cars that are good enough to be up there with the very best in their sector.
Right you are. The badge is the singular reason why VW holds its value better post-launch.
That being said I don't see how I could buy one if I were looking for a second hand car. Most of their competitors are cheaper second hand.
Truth be told, the Golf does conflict with my values of what makes a car suitable for me. So it makes it an instant no-buy as far as I'm concerned. To each his own.
I agree mate 100%.. The Astra is a superior car for the price
If the bbc gets this guy on top gear I'll start watching it again 🙏
The Focus is sporting 18" inch wheels vs the Golf's 16, tires that size will make more noise. It's atleast as well noise insulated as the Golf, as others have also reported.
I can't fit in the Astra, the steering wheel can't be adjusted high enough for me not to hit it with my knees (I'm 1.86m). Astra's dash feels small, like I'm riding in a small city car.
I'm with the Focus on this one, 17" rims with an exterior package if possible and the chrome grill looks better than any other hatchback for me.
I've had all 3 of these the golf is best for soundproofing, but, astra k is most fun to drive. The first gen focus was amazing.
I know it’s 6 years late for this, but the focus seats actually fold flat. You just have to remove the headrests and fold the seat bottoms up first
Hi Mat, it would be interesting to see what you think about the new Vauxhaull Insignia Range? Because I believe, Insignia's have also evolved like the Astra's.
Like the Astra and this channel, Matt is great
I'd get the Golf every time, the interior is really nice with a 2.0 Diesel engine, it would rock!
Flix i know i am one year late, but when i saw this comment i taught at a point that i had some time ago . If you ask anybody about VW they will tell you “2.0 TDI” . Those engines are so good even to this day , shame that they will not live for so much longer because of the diesel problem.
The Opel Astra is easily the best
Except it lacks some very basic kit.
Doesn't even have rear armrests!
I think the astra looks very cheap inside. Cheap glossy plastic, all the shiny bits are plastic instead of chrome, it's a big mess of colours in the dials,... I don't agree with Matt in terms of the interior. It is very good value however.
This glossy plastic is piano black paint finish. It's not cheap, even Mercedes uses it in C class or E class.
sic22l no it's not I'm afraid, it's way lower quality. pure plastic.
PvanP It's pure plastic, just like in two Mercedes models I mentioned. Piano black finish is always painted plastic in any car.
good to hear as im picking up a 2014 astra
got my eye on that Astra in S.A. please also check out the Kia Stinger against the Astra ( Vauxhall) coz im confused
This video is what I wanted! Thanks!
DO you not have the Sync 3 system yet on the Focus? It's a vast improvement on that MyFord Touch system you're complaining about.
Hi Mat, I love all of your reviews! Could you please make one of the Skoda Fabia Esatate?
+verocimil it's unlikely. But normal Fabia yes
+carwow That's great, thank you for answering!
verocimi
When will you test the Crossland x?
Who laughs when they watch a car review? Well I do! You are just so good at this stuff
A similar numberplate to that of the Astra is around £300 - substantially less than the cars retail price.
Awesome video!
I would pick Astra over Golf (Focus not even being a choice with its hideous tail lights and impractical infotainment system). I just love Astra's behind and the interior looks so pleasing to the eye. The steering wheel itself is so beautiful.
Agreed the Astra is absolutely exquisite ♥️
I just bought one!
So do you recommend used Opel astra(2017/16)for under €10k?
Hey carwow , could you do a review on the Range Rover Vogue or Sport
I've had the Focus for a company car and it was a good car all round with no issues. I now have the Golf which is better especially in GTD form and so far so good.
yea..... got my eye on a GTD next too... but manual or DSG?
+LondonInHD I got the manual version, it's a really good gearbox and I find it a lot more fun to drive. My last car had DSG and although it was really good I just felt like going back to a manual. Whichever version you get it's a great car, you won't be disappointed, especially with 184hp.
Go the manual, is a fab fun drive.
I had one of those 1.0 eco boost SR line thingys. Claustrophobic interior and although impressive performance for a 1.0 not great to drive. The nav system needs to grow a brain too. Clunky infotainment interface. Reasonably comfy seats though and it definitely has the edge in looks. It looked pretty fly, for a white ride. :p
I just tried a search for both the Insignia and Mondeo on Carwow and no review or head to head to be found :( There is the Mondeo Vignale or whatever it's called but I'm not spending that much on a Mondeo.
How about an Insignia, Mondeo, Passat, Mazda 6 head to head? Or indeed any combination of them?
Mat never fails to make me smile
anyone know if an older 2005 vauxhaul astra model is cheap for a new young driver on insurance? Im debateing between a corsa and astra but I dont know if astra is good on insurance for a young new driver. Thanks!
Hello could any body help me was wondering if the 1.6 diesel astra will pull a caravan ??? Or is it to light and small engine ))
Do this cars compete with A3, 1-serie and A-class or is it an other market ?
I'm sorry but once you see that the Focus actually carries a huge moustache, you can never unsee it ever again. This is why I couldn't buy one.
On no my in-laws just bought one. Cannot unsee it!
MK1 and MK2 look better
Opel /Vauxhall rules! New benchmark, like it should be! German technology at its best.
the astra name came from vauxhall, opel just had orginal designs for it, and now the two share it.
Nellis Smith isnt opel owned by GM?
GM technology
@@patrick8734 Not anymore, GM sold Opel/Vauxhall and PSA bought it in 2017. The Grandland X, the Crossland X, the new Corsa and the new Opel Mokka, which comes 2021, are produced in cooperation of PSA. The Opel Insignia and the Astra baseing of GM technology.
except that it's now french, after being American :)
So the golf is most practical, most reliable and well made, has most features and is easily best looking giving some trims like alloy upgrades and colour.
Best looking lol
i have to say, i have a 2011 mazda 3, and used 16 reg astra for a week, my mazda definitely have bigger rear seats and boot. but astra have definitely smoother and better ride. considering my mazda being almost 6 years old, i stick with mazda 3. maybe i should try the new mazda 3.
Great video and correct choice!
Astra Wins
I have the Focus and it is really a nice fun car.
Like it very much :)
Ford Focus interior is the most beautiful in hatchbacks
That Golf ski flap is a £160 option, even that red paint is an option. How many option boxes were ticked on that test model? I bet the Focus and Astra will be pretty much fully loaded for the basic cost.
Astra rocks!
Watching this video again... Loving my 16 plate Astra again. Thank you Matt! Not to mention running costs where again, the Vauxhall wins 😜
On the verge of swapping a 67 plate Focus ST-Line tomorrow for a 67 plate Astra 1.6 CDTi VX-line…. Was on the verge of buyers remorse before seeing this 😂
Glad to hear you’re loving your 16 Astra. I’m trying to find my parents a reasonable car and the 2016 Astra Estate (need practicality) is what we’re looking to go for. Do you have any positives/negatives to consider at all? Thank you!
can do one review on the volvo v40 r design with audi a3 and BMW 1 thanks
Hi Mat, nice review as always but i would like to add something.Astra is not comfy as Golf, in fact it is not comfortable at all.Driving it on a bumpy road is really bad, you can almost feel every flaw road has.
I can't believe it the focus lost and the astra won in an English review! Vauxhall must have done a great job with the astra
In my opinion the focus is miles better! (I've experienced both and chose the Focus)
Golf without the badge of VW is like carwow without Mat Watson.
please review the Peugeot 308 in all its trims...the normal one the GT and the GTi
for me all the cars must be comfy, practical and have good material quality at first. so for that in mind i like golf, 3 series, e class and s class. this is the best of the best buy list in the car industry for your money.
Looking for a new car and i tested Astra and i liked it but then i went to test Mazda 3 and now im confused! and of course i went to see Skoda and Seat but i cant choose between Astra or Mazda 3, any suggestion ?
sasan n Astra
The Vauxhall Astra is way out in front; what a beautiful car, especially in red colour!
1:30 Oh my god, you are so wrong. Wrong! The Astra looks great, simply amazing design.
ASTRA SUPER. Love 💕
GM should use the Opel badge in the UK. It's a German car after all. If Vauxhall has such a bad reputation and British motorist love German cars, why does GM still use the Vauxhall badge?
HKdetailerFIN It uses the Vauxhall Badge because Vauxhall existed before General Motors acquired it to their group in the later years of the 20th Century. Vauxhall has been around for an awful long time since 1903, so it wouldn't make proper sense to not use the Vauxhall badge and use the Opel badge instead, since the latter is more European.
HKdetailerFIN GM doesn't own Vauxhall and Opel anymore. They sold it to french company Groupe PSA which owns Citroen and Peugeot and many others. GM is currently losing lots of momey as they filed for bankruptcy few years back. And about why Opel isnt using there name, its because it will kill Vauxhall which is like a household name here in UK and this will displease the customers and british public very much and it will be disastrous for both Opel and the motor industry in UK. So bit of a no show you see and anyway Vauxhall have a very rich history if you didnt know so killing that brand is a bad idea
HKdetailerFIN yeah its stupid
@@sondrejohansen48 it means you English people can't adapt well.Or it's maybe the hate for the Germans.Although most of you drive German cars. Ford is German based,so is the Vauxhall.While what you say makes perfect sense,I think the public is very ignorant with the reality...
I've owned a Holden Astra for 3 days and love it! So nice to hear it getting a good review albeit the Opel. I don't know what difference there is between Opel and Holden but I love it anyway. Sick of hearing people trash Holden and Astra.
Im in Nz and on this report will be buying a 2018 astra. I already have an 1987 vl Calais holden. Had her for 18 years. 308. glad you are enjoying your car
I agree.. I bought one for my wife and she loves it!. I test drove alot of cars in this class including the ones in this review.. The Holden Astra is faster, handles excellent and great on fuel..