Volkswagen Golf v Ford Focus v Kia Ceed - which is the best small family car?

When it comes to choosing a new family hatchback, it’s hard to look past these three contenders! The Focus and Golf are two of the most recognisable cars on the road, and while the Ceed may not have the same history or status as the others, there’s no denying that the latest model is up there with the best in its class! So, which one is the class leader for 2019? Stick with Mat to find out!

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[ArtVandel]

The Ford has soft touch materials in the back only in the Titanium and Vignale version. ("...but that doesn't matter for this video, because I'm comparing the range as a whole.")

[DetroitBORG]

The American car isn't sold in America. :(

[torod]

Btw Matt, this new generation of Focus is no longer even sold in the US.. It is now entirely a German car.

[sbomorse]

You say the Ceed has soft touch materials in the back, then contradict yourself by saying only the Focus does...

[jasimhayat]

I’m looking for a gf. I meet a new girl, a voice comes in my head “should I avoid, consider, shortlist or go right ahead and buy”

[derbigpr]

You mean European vs. European vs. European. Because the Ford Focus has nothing at all to do with Ford USA, it's always been a European model, 100% developed, designed, engineered and built by Ford Europe, with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. VW Golf is obviously German. The Kia Ceed has been fully developed in their European centers as well, and is built here too, while the vast majority of engineers and designers working in Kia are formed employees of European brands such as Audi, BMW, VW, etc. Why do you think Kia / Hyundai went from making crap cars for decades to all of a sudden making really good cars in a time period of only a couple of years?

[jamed]

I always put the removed parcel shelf against the back of the front seats before putting the rear seats down, then when you load the car the parcel shelf protects the back of the front seats from whatever you are loading, simples

[MaxTWua]

Ford is more German now than American actualy

[leoesposito]

Ford has worked very hard to get this car to be an all-rounder i think thay have managed just that. .

[DaBlackFili]

how many times have you reviewed the golf everytime i watch one i know exactly what your going to say I LOVE IT!!!

[alexrobert]

You forget to say about the abscence of the air vents in the back of the focus.... the vw golf has air vents for the passengers from the back. This is more relevant than soft materials, one touch for the windows and if the window goes all the way down...

[syd_jzx]

a sec, the Ceed has an adjustable boot floor, so the cover should fit underneath... damnit Matt

[AB-vizl]

Mat Watson, an issue which I feel Carwow could definitely address is keyless thefts. I think it would be great if you could make a video encouraging people to buy steering wheel locks and keeping keys in cases away from the front door. My car was recently stolen and after speaking to neighbours and staff in different stores such as Halfords, I've gathered that keyless thefts are such a regular occurrence!
Please could you do everyone in the Carwow community a favour by making this video - after all we're saving money on brand new cars which we don't want to go missing :)

[tomthehighlandexplorer]

I have had all 3 of these over the last 2 and a half years.. And I was shocked to find the kia was most definitely the best to live with and overall the most reliable

[watwitoe]

Still waiting on the review of the new Mazda 3 (hatchback & sedan)

[MsAdam]

I went with the Ceed. Though check out the others. As a family reliability is key over how fun it is to drive and the Kia's 7 year warranty gives me confidence.

[verocimil]

Golf for me, interior- and exteriorwise. I like to feel relaxed and free and hence I do love that unintrusive, classic design with its clear lines pretty much. And there is that feeling of "Vorsprung durch Technik" in it as well.

[johanfagerstromjarlenfors]

Well... focus and ceed are beautiful cars.... golf looks like something from the 90s... actually... i actually think the golf have been looking the same since middle of 90s.. both outside and inside. Actually most vw cars....

Ford and kia always make cars thats beautifly, sporty, exclusive, practical etc...

If i want a vw i can just buy a škoda.. they look better, more exclusive and they are more practical.


And i still don’t get the thing with soft touch vs ”scratchy plastics”... doesn’t matter what material..normaly people don’t scratch their nails or at all touch the places you check.

[marksanderson]

Having recently looked very hard all all three, and test driven a VW and Ford, It's a Focus Titanium X that been sat in my drive for the last 2 weeks.

[josipvarnica]

Rear bench experience is much more than soft touch trim and window opening. How about ac vents, cubby spaces, cup holders...?