143CAR.com - Hot Hatch Test: Ford Focus ST vs. Mazdaspeed 3 vs. Volkswagen GTI

Join Jonathan Yeung of 143Car as he tests three modern hot hatches through the back roads of west coast Canada.

All of these cars are front-wheel drive, turbocharged versions of pretty mum compact vehicles, boasting large amounts of power and torque.

The Ford Focus ST is the newest of the bunch and brings with it variable ratio steering and an enhanced version of the standard Focus' torque vectoring system. Will it have traded soul for its performance though?

The Volkswagen GTI is now into its 6th generation and is known for its all round usability and fit and finish. It is also however down on the competitors here in horsepower and torque quite significantly; will its shortcomings be overlooked by its charm?

The Mazdaspeed 3 has the most power and torque of any of the other cars here, and represents excellent value. But is it too immature and lacking in refinement compared to the others here?

Watch the video and find out!

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Music by AuX

[pawegumienny]

Speed3 isn't the best looking out of the three. However, I've driven all three of those cars and the speed3 is hands down the best in terms of "old school" driving and sheer ruthless power. These are cars that shouldn't be left stock ;) Few performance parts and a tune, these cars can kick some butt. Speed3 wins it in my book and it's the car for the true turbo junkie.

[bbbbgggg]

the raw driving experience is exactly why i went with the speed3. nothing gets the adrenaline rushing like some torque steer or wheelspin when stepping on the gas in 2nd

[kroegerje]

I'm half way through this video and am completely bowled over by how well this was done.  I watch too many car reviews here (youtube) and I can't think of a better reviewer.  Very calm, well spoken, no ridiculous music to drag out the intro.  Thank you for doing a great job, subscribed.

[shxkn]

I'm the Mazdaspeed3 guy.

While I really do like the other two, especially the GTi, I can't get beyond the flaws they both have. GTi DSG in america have been giving a lot of trouble after 40, 000 miles, and the GTi in general has always been a shop car after 60, 000. I don't understand why. I know they're Toyota prices at the dealer, and BMW prices in maintenance, but the rule of thumb is, never buy a GTi coming too or passed 60, 000 miles. And I'm the guy who wants to exceed 300, 000 miles in my car. 

The Focus ST is more machine than man. It's entirely dependant on computer aids.I don't want to wear my brakes down with the BRAKE vectoring, I don't want the torque steer filtered out, I don't want my inputs filtered at all. And to think how expensive those systems would be to fix or replace after they break down (because at the end of the day it's still a FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily), I just don't feel comfortable personally with buying one. 

But the Mazdaspeed3. It's raw. It's like 30 hp short of what an Evo has in torque and HP, it has a much more quality interior compared to the Subaru WRX (which would be the last generation now), it has better reliability than Toyota, it's got more space than a GTi (at a cheaper price point), and Mazda historically has all the racing pedigrees like Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. Subaru makes the best well rounded car, Toyota makes the most reliable, Honda typically have the best interior, (Nissan's have the GTi problem if you ask me), they all play it safe now too, and Mazda has always strived to make the drivers car. It wasn't about speed, or lap times, or drag races, it was about enjoying the ride. And so for me, it's what fits the bill. It was the car for me.

than I couldn't buy it new because I came into the market ready to buy just a little too late :/ 

Really hoping Mazda brings it back. If they don't, I'll have to settle with the next best car. The WRX, and it's not a wagon :(

Also, for the record, if you reply like a dick, I won't pay attention. I don't hate the GTi, i envy it's driving precision, and I envy the feel of sitting in a Focus, but I wouldn't buy them, and the last thing I hate are people who stoop to derogatory diction and make it a personal battle, rather than a decent conversation of thoughts. Don't be that jerk. Enlighten me if I'm wrong, but don't be that typical 16 year old in Dad's mustang doing burnouts in the parking lot guy constantly complaining about "imports" and "ricers."

[scoobeydoooo]

Good review. I own a MS3 and my mate just got a Focus ST couple months ago. When it comes to brutal acceleration, back to your seat when turbo spools, the MS3 is hands down the most fun. ST has a turbo punch but still feels linear much like the 2009 WRX that I had. All in all, the ST seems to be a great platform to start from but like any new platform, it will take time to achieve it's true potential just like the MS3 did. But just my 2 cents, the MS3 is the true hooligan out of the 3.

[centerphil]

Hey man excellent review! Personally have been a VW guy for years but you make a strong case for all 3...well done!

[keithmurray]

I'm going to have to go with the st on this one. When it comes down to it all three cars can be modified tremendously, and the mods I've seen on the st is awsome. Focus wins.

[alexsiul]

exactly what i think about these cars. but u forgot speed3 has a LSD

[jamesallenhetfield]

Love the review. I bought a 13 speed3 last year and absolutely love it. It really is a driver's car. There is a lot of torque steer but to me that makes the experience fun and engaging. The power is stellar! Every time I put the right foot down I grin ear to ear. All three of these cars are great, excellent review.

[guitarzan]

I love the idea of reviewing tuned versions of these cars. If I lived closer, I'd give you my ms3 to review, though a tuned 3 is quite a bit more powerful than either one of the other cars. The ST's e-diff/tq vectoring has shown its weakness now that it has been out for a bit. On track days and auto-x, it does really well until the brakes start to wear and fade - compared to a mechanical diff, of course. Some owners have went through Ann entire set of pads in one day! By no means am I knocking the ST! Both the other cars are fantastic, but once you begin to modify the group, the performance margin spreads even further.

Great unbiased review here!

[e.g.]

Mazda makes a superior car. the GTI and he Focus are nothing compared to Mazda.

[ASkinnyMidget]

Hey! I think you did a really solid unbiased review, and when compared to other reviews I think you described the key differences between the care very well. I have had my ST for about two months now and love every minute of it! Here's to more solid reviews from you!

[RollTheWindowsUp_WISAD]

I love my 2011 mazdaspeed3. and I wish some of you could take a ride in it. 375whp. I upgraded the turbo to a gt30701r. front mount intercooler. custom downpipe. full ultimate racing exhaust. 38mm external waste gate. upgraded fuel pump. pro tune....I kill any st gti wrx or sti. I love my ms3. it's a beast. had to upgrade the motor mounts so torque steer is pretty much gone. I love it. though my neighbors hate those cold starts

[dallasmellsop]

This video is real good, your point of view and way you describe the cars are excellent, if you upload more often, I can garauntee you'll blow up

[Copperpan]

what a great review. I am getting the focus next week and am excited now. I haven't been sure between the 3 and have been thinking hard about it but now I'm sure.

[corozaleno]

Thank you for responding 143Car; I'm looking forward to your next review to include the gti with the power package. It's torque output is comparable to the STI, and I'm thinking it can take back it's legendary title- King of the hot hatches( for the price range):).

[drepitt]

LOL.. there's no sound coming out of the ST's tailpipes.. you're hearing the sound symposer which is piping in low frequency induction noise. It sounds more like a BMW I6 than a turbo 4 banger. Which isnt necessarily a bad thing.. Just not what i was expecting. I bought one anyway :). The MS3 is a great car (I had a 2010)! but the interior on my ST is nicer and the turn-in is INSANELY quick. Stock vs. Stock, it definitely dances better on an autox course. I would put the MS3's motor in the ST, along with its mechanical LSD and have the best of both worlds. The power of the MS3 and the looks of the ST.

I'm in canada I just bought the ST for 547.00/m compared to 806.00 for a WRX and 736.00 for the GTI...easy enough to decide...so far I like the car but just a little bit too firm speciality when you drive on bad road...very good quality compared to my previous Matrix xrs 2.4 liters 

[noah.f.]

The people have spoken. The MS3 is such a phenomenal car in terms of raw old school power and easy modifications to unlock power safely. Yes the interior could be better, but take some time to actually look at the sophisticated detailing done on the exterior, and combine it with its hooligan nature. The mazda Speed in my book holds the glory of fast and fun hot hatchbacks. The other two are great cars, although the ST and Golf is still a much more mass produced car and has better technology in it, who wants to sit in a science lesson if you could be playing outside with the cool kids

[TcToshi]

I know this is like a year late but I like the comment discussions. Its actually civilized for once. The ST has some good points, mainly the interior, really just the seats. I guess the infotainment system is nice too. The GTI... well no one serious about going fast spends that much money on 200hp but it is the overall more grown up car of the bunch if you like a little fun with your morning commute but the MS3 is the animal of the bunch. That why I bought my fist gen and came back to it even after the ST came out. The ST and MS3 platform almost mirror each other so the tuning and modding options are endless but the ST comes pretty peaked out from the factory which means you will be searching for a turbo long before you see the numbers a stock turbo or stock K04 frame MS3 will reach. All numbers aside the MS3 is just more fun to drive. It has no electronic interference unless you include SWAS control which really will save your life in a wet corner but it hits like a train, its loud, it throws carbon clouds of rich boost juice when you floor it and you will spin your tires down to nothing going light to light. Just knowing you have that hard hitting power is enough to a drive fun. MS3 drivers will tell you that they ride with no music just so they can listen to the car. ST is a premium car but I still like the force of the mazda plus the flexibility. Everyone forgets the TC Cobalt SS was the fasted FWD at the ring and still think its got that title for USDM at least. Cleared the Mazda by like 15 seconds but its just not an exciting car. Looks just like the cobalt sitting and Hertz ready to be rented. Its well behaved. Bland. Im still waiting to see if the ST gets as deep of a colt following as the Mazda. I'd love to see the GT30 and GT35 battles between the 2. Plenty of BT MS3s out there to run.