Looking for an energy boost this Wednesday? Well gear up! It’s wartime soldiers, and we’re about to kick off this week’s edition of Car Wars Wednesdays. This time, the battle is between the Vauxhall Astra and the Ford Focus – and it’s our mission to find a winner between this pair of elite all-rounders. These cars are more than a little similar, so there’s not much in it – but if you’re ready to see who takes the crown, the war begins right now.
Design
The two cars are very aesthetically similar, and there’ll always be a divide on this issue since looks ultimately come down to personal preference – but we have to give this one to the Ford Focus for its slick and stylish design. That’s not to say that the Vauxhall Astra is an ugly car – its stylish interior and elegant dashboard are certainly worth a mention – but the Ford Focus just has that extra edge to tip the scales.
Performance
For family hatchbacks, both cars are decent in terms of performance figures and are unsurprisingly similar. The Vauxhall Astra’s top speed of 106mph slightly beats the Ford’s 102mph – however, considering both cars are family hatchbacks, we can’t see speed being a deciding factor for buyers. When it comes to fuel economy, the two are identical – both returning 67.3mpg. The Astra falls short when it comes to bhp though, with the Ford Focus coming in at 113bhp compared to the Astra’s 108bhp. The Astra wins this round – but only just.
Features
Once again, we’re at a bit of a standoff – both are well-equipped, but we have to give this one to the Ford Focus. The car is one of the safest on the market and what could be more important in a family hatchback? The Focus comes with driving assist, pre-collision assist, automatic braking and much more. That’s without even mentioning the 8” touchscreen and voice control for key features such as climate control and music.
Price
An entry level Vauxhall Astra starts at £12,995, compared to the Ford Focus which starts at a slightly pricier £14,000. So the question is: is it worth paying a little extra for the Focus, or does the affordability of the Astra make all the difference?
The verdict: it’s a close one to call but we have to give it to the Ford Focus. The car shines on all fronts, offering an immense amount of safety kit on top of its very sexy exterior, and is an honourable winner in our books.
Fancy getting your hands on one of these market-leading hatchbacks but struggling to find the funds? Fear not. At the Car Loan Warehouse, we specialist in affordable car loans– so check out our online car loan calculator for an instant quote, or apply now if you’re ready to get this show on the road.
