Ford Focus RS Hot Hatch 2017 review | Mat Watson Reviews

The Ford Focus RS promises to deliver supercar thrills in a hot hatch package. Can this charismatic Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R rival live up to the hype? Mat Watson finds out in our full, in-depth review.





Read our full Ford Focus RS review –

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[dylanw]

I have a feeling that the blue painted calipers are something that while you're ordering the car you say "I'm not paying 100 bucks for painted calipers" and not get them and then regret it for the rest of the time you have the car.

[SIKExOUT]

I have owned mine for a year and s half. Ford sorted me with a new head. (Mine was fine it was a recall). I’ve lowered it and put some OZ rally wheels on it. I gotta say, the car is a ton of fun. It doesn’t get the respect here in North America that it does cross the pond. It does get a lot of hate from car snobs. But damn, try to find another car that handles like this in the same price range. I love actually accelerating out of corners in this thing. Fun fun fun.

[Dermuu]

excellent review. Mat should be a top gear presenter. He's absolutely brilliant and entertaining to watch. keep up the good work!!

[Richard]

My midlife crisis is booked for delivery on Friday 😂

[gdoctor]

Matt it looks like you used to go the gym in 2016 "what exactly happened"😂😂

[cvzn]

I like the restrained look, especially next to the garish Type R.

[FezzaYT]

Love your reviews Mat. I have an RS and it is an incredible car. I don't know how it could possibly be superseded in the future!

[alexgrazie]

How did he know that my dad has a 1.6 litre Ford Focus? :-?

[aamer]

This will become iconic in years to come

[devmadhavsd]

I honestly think you should be more famous . You definitely have better screen presence and oratory talent than most reviewers....and as usual great review on the car

[d]

Damn I loved your explanation of the AWD system with the sweets haha

[BrightNight]

Great review! I literally love the RS legacy, (I'm a bit of a fanboy) this one is brilliant! It just looks so nice to me! :) All the best Matt!

[ahmadawawdi]

Mat Watson is the best reviewer ever .. you were born to do that 💪👌

[garychivers]

thanks Matt I've waited ages for ur take on the r.s, can't wait for mine to arrive. Matt the new top gear presenter maybe??

[Theprofessor]

I wanted this car so much but ended up getting a stinger because of interior quality. If I had the money I would buy both and keep the focus for the weekends.

[focus_rs]

Beast of a car. 2017 plate. 2 months in! White 😍

[den_]

Matt is pretty spot on. The exterior and interior is a bit average... but this car is a pure driver's car, all focused on driving hard and fun.

Is it a great daily? Probably not. It's all good and fun for the twisty stuff, but honestly, majority of us grind the daily traffic. Which makes the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW so attractive, because it's a little bit more daily friendly.

[Netryon]

This is like getting an Overclockable CPU, if they need it performance is there. Few upgrades and a change of color. Previous casual car models could have had sporty features, now it's screaming, it's there.

[padddyfi]

My father got one last summer
I am absolutely in love with this car

[tottyn]

Mat you are the only reason why I watch Carwow