Volkswagen Golf versus Ford Focus and Seat Leon

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  1 / 24 One Euro

  Thirty years ago, a car with a 1-litre engine was an affordable little runabout with tiny performance.

  Three decades on, a 1-litre car is far from being just a weedy runabout. Thanks to turbocharging, today’s single-litre engines are powerful enough to drive everything from hatchbacks to crossovers.

  The oldest of the three contenders is the Ford Focus, which was introduced in 2011. But thanks to a timely update, which gave it a bolder exterior and enhanced cabin, the Focus still isn’t showing its age. Its biggest improvement is its new turbocharged 1-litre 3-pot motor, which is punchier than the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre 4-cylinder it replaces.

  Hoping for continued success in this segment is the Volkswagen Golf. Like its rivals, it also boasts enhancements to its exterior (albeit subtle ones), and further refinements to its interior. And with more torque coming from the Golf’s turbocharged 1-litre 3-cylinder engine, which replaces the turbocharged 1.2-litre inline-4 in its predecessor, it promises to be a sprightlier drive, too.

  Looking to put the Golf in the shade is its Spanish cousin, the Seat Leon. Although both cars are mechanically similar, the Leon has two advantages: better looks and more power.

  Which of these 1-litre hatches ultimately offers the most value for money? Continue reading and find out what we think.

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  2 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Engine

  Volkswagen’s turbocharged 999cc 3-cylinder with 109hp and 200Nm has the smoothest power delivery.

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  3 / 24 Ford Focus – Engine

  Ford’s turbocharged 999cc 3-pot with 123hp and 170Nm is the most powerful, but ironically, also the most relaxed performer of the group.

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  4 / 24 Seat Leon – Engine

  Seat’s turbocharged 999cc 3-cylinder with 113hp and 200Nm is the most responsive and efficient motor. The car’s power-to-weight ratio of 100bhp per tonne is the best, too.

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  5 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Gearbox

  Golf’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is slicker than the Leon’s, but less responsive.

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  6 / 24 Ford Focus – Gearbox

  Focus’ 6-speed automatic is the creamiest gearbox here, but its manual override could be quicker, and the buttons for doing so aren’t the easiest to use.

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  7 / 24 Seat Leon – Gearbox

  Leon’s 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the quickest of the trio, making its manual override function the most fun to use.

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  8 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Ride & Handling

  Golf’s ride quality is the best in this test, as it is the quietest and most pliant.

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  9 / 24 Ford Focus – Ride & Handling

  The Focus is the most agile and has the sharpest steering, too. It is the most fun to drive in this company.

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  10 / 24 Seat Leon – Ride & Handling

  Feels lighter and nimbler than the Golf, but the Leon’s ride quality, which is the firmest of the three cars, won’t be to everyone’s liking.

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  11 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Cockpit

  Most practical cockpit has the largest storage points of the group. Overall fit-and-finish is the best, but the Golf’s upmarket feel is lessened by the manual air-con controls and lack of keyless entry/ignition.

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  12 / 24 Ford Focus – Cockpit

  Keener drivers will love the Focus’ higher dashboard and lower seating position, which give it the most coupe-like feel. Steering wheel is the nicest to hold, but the small storage points make this area the least practical.

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  13 / 24 Seat Leon – Cockpit

  Leon’s layout is as functional and intuitive as the Golf’s. The Spanish-German infotainment system is the snazziest-looking and most useful, as it’s the only one connected to a reversing-camera.

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  14 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Backseat

  Golf has the shortest wheelbase, but its well-packaged interior means its backseat is still the roomiest. The bench is also the most supportive, offering the tallest backrests in this company.

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  15 / 24 Ford Focus – Backseat

  Focus has the longest wheelbase, but the least legroom due to relatively inefficient packaging. The minimal floor protrusion, however, allows this backseat to accommodate three adults (and their six ankles) more easily.

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  16 / 24 Seat Leon – Backseat

  Matches the Golf for roominess and supportiveness, but strangely, the Seat’s rear air-con vents are smaller than its VW cousin’s and therefore less effective.

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  17 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Meters

  Golf’s gauges look the most pedestrian, but like the Leon, accessing and adjusting the functions in the secondary display is very intuitive.

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  18 / 24 Ford Focus – Meters

  The hardest to focus on as the digit sizes are the smallest, but the Ford’s centre LCD is the most attractive and the only one with a seatbelt indicator for all occupants.

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  19 / 24 Seat Leon – Meters

  Motorcycle-inspired dials of the Leon are the sportiest of the three instrument clusters, and their large markings make them the easiest to read as well.

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  20 / 24 Ford Focus – Boot

  Focus’ 316-litre cargo hold is the most flexible, as it has the most anchoring points, along with elastic and Velcro straps for securing items such as bottles and cleaning cloths.

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  21 / 24 Seat Leon – Boot

  Leon’s 380-litre capacity has the highest loading point, which is more suited to smaller and lighter cargo. The (tiniest) boot light also makes it trickier to load/unload/organise the boot’s contents in dark conditions.

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  22 / 24 Volkswagen Golf – Boot

  Golf’s 380-litre boot is best for active families, who will appreciate the standard waterproof liner, which is great for storing muddy football gear. The relatively low loading point makes it great for hauling heavy luggage, too.

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  23 / 24 Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Seat Leon – Keys

  (Left & right) Golf and Leon fobs have the widest buttons which are also the nicest to press, but their keys have an annoying tendency to flip open in bags and pockets. Focus device (centre) is not only lighter and slimmer than the others, but also shaped to fit easily inside a pocket or in your palm.

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  24 / 24 Last Word

  As enthusiasts, we cannot get enough of the Ford Focus. It has the most power and the best handling of the three 1-litre hatchbacks. We also love its accurate steering and coupe-like cockpit.

  Indeed, the Focus is so fun to punt around corners that we’re willing to forgive its cabin, which is smaller and less practical than its two rivals’. What we can’t overlook, though, is the Ford’s slower performance.With a century sprint time of 12 seconds versus the Golf’s 9.9 seconds and the Leon’s 9.6 seconds, it dampens the excitement felt by a keen driver.

  Another dampener is the $10,000 VES surcharge levied on the Focus, which inflates its selling price. Without the surcharge, the Ford would have offered even better value for money, as its OMV of $19.3k is about $800 more than the Golf’s.

  The most expensive car in this story is also, arguably, the most impressive. The 1-litre Seat Leon successfully marries form and function to offer a cabin that’s not only cool-looking, but driver-friendly, too.

  We also like how the Spaniard has keener responses and more oomph than its German cousin. Interested buyers, however, will have to deal with the Leon’s stiff ride and even stiffer price, which is due to its surprisingly high OMV of $22k.

  The Volkswagen Golf may not have the Leon’s sportiness or the Focus’ handling qualities, but it remains our pick of this litter.

  The Golf’s strengths, which include a quiet cabin, well-sorted ride and smooth power delivery, manage to outweigh weaknesses such as the “missing” keyless functions and manual air-con controls.

  For just under $113,000, the Golf is a good choice for buyers who want a 1-litre hatchback that offers maximum bang for their buck.

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  Check out the Volkswagen Golf
  Check out the Ford Focus
  Check out the Seat Leon

  Volkswagen Golf 1.0 review

  Ford Focus 1.0 review

  Seat Leon ST review

  Read more

One Euro Thirty years ago, a car with a 1-litre engine was an affordable little runabout with tiny performance. Three decades on, a 1-litre car is far from being just a weedy runabout. Thanks to turbocharging, today’s single-litre engines are powerful enough to drive everything from hatchbacks to crossovers. The oldest of the three contenders is the Ford Focus, which was introduced in 2011. But thanks to a timely update, which gave it a bolder exterior and enhanced cabin, the Focus still isn’t showing its age. Its biggest improvement is its new turbocharged 1-litre 3-pot motor, which is punchier than the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre 4-cylinder it replaces. Hoping for continued success in this segment is the Volkswagen Golf. Like its rivals, it also boasts enhancements to its exterior (albeit subtle ones), and further refinements to its interior. And with more torque coming from the Golf’s turbocharged 1-litre 3-cylinder engine, which replaces the turbocharged 1.2-litre inline-4 in its predecessor, it promises to be a sprightlier drive, too. Looking to put the Golf in the shade is its Spanish cousin, the Seat Leon. Although both cars are mechanically similar, the Leon has two advantages: better looks and more power. Which of these 1-litre hatches ultimately offers the most value for money? Continue reading and find out what we think. Volkswagen Golf – Engine Volkswagen’s turbocharged 999cc 3-cylinder with 109hp and 200Nm has the smoothest power delivery. Ford Focus – Engine Ford’s turbocharged 999cc 3-pot with 123hp and 170Nm is the most powerful, but ironically, also the most relaxed performer of the group. Seat Leon – Engine Seat’s turbocharged 999cc 3-cylinder with 113hp and 200Nm is the most responsive and efficient motor. The car’s power-to-weight ratio of 100bhp per tonne is the best, too. Volkswagen Golf – Gearbox Golf’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is slicker than the Leon’s, but less responsive. Ford Focus – Gearbox Focus’ 6-speed automatic is the creamiest gearbox here, but its manual override could be quicker, and the buttons for doing so aren’t the easiest to use. Seat Leon – Gearbox Leon’s 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the quickest of the trio, making its manual override function the most fun to use. Volkswagen Golf – Ride & Handling Golf’s ride quality is the best in this test, as it is the quietest and most pliant. Ford Focus – Ride & Handling The Focus is the most agile and has the sharpest steering, too. It is the most fun to drive in this company. Seat Leon – Ride & Handling Feels lighter and nimbler than the Golf, but the Leon’s ride quality, which is the firmest of the three cars, won’t be to everyone’s liking. Volkswagen Golf – Cockpit Most practical cockpit has the largest storage points of the group. Overall fit-and-finish is the best, but the Golf’s upmarket feel is lessened by the manual air-con controls and lack of keyless entry/ignition. Ford Focus – Cockpit Keener drivers will love the Focus’ higher dashboard and lower seating position, which give it the most coupe-like feel. Steering wheel is the nicest to hold, but the small storage points make this area the least practical. Seat Leon – Cockpit Leon’s layout is as functional and intuitive as the Golf’s. The Spanish-German infotainment system is the snazziest-looking and most useful, as it’s the only one connected to a reversing-camera. Volkswagen Golf – Backseat Golf has the shortest wheelbase, but its well-packaged interior means its backseat is still the roomiest. The bench is also the most supportive, offering the tallest backrests in this company. Ford Focus – Backseat Focus has the longest wheelbase, but the least legroom due to relatively inefficient packaging. The minimal floor protrusion, however, allows this backseat to accommodate three adults (and their six ankles) more easily. Seat Leon – Backseat Matches the Golf for roominess and supportiveness, but strangely, the Seat’s rear air-con vents are smaller than its VW cousin’s and therefore less effective. Volkswagen Golf – Meters Golf’s gauges look the most pedestrian, but like the Leon, accessing and adjusting the functions in the secondary display is very intuitive. Ford Focus – Meters The hardest to focus on as the digit sizes are the smallest, but the Ford’s centre LCD is the most attractive and the only one with a seatbelt indicator for all occupants. Seat Leon – Meters Motorcycle-inspired dials of the Leon are the sportiest of the three instrument clusters, and their large markings make them the easiest to read as well. Ford Focus – Boot Focus’ 316-litre cargo hold is the most flexible, as it has the most anchoring points, along with elastic and Velcro straps for securing items such as bottles and cleaning cloths. Seat Leon – Boot Leon’s 380-litre capacity has the highest loading point, which is more suited to smaller and lighter cargo. The (tiniest) boot light also makes it trickier to load/unload/organise the boot’s contents in dark conditions. Volkswagen Golf – Boot Golf’s 380-litre boot is best for active families, who will appreciate the standard waterproof liner, which is great for storing muddy football gear. The relatively low loading point makes it great for hauling heavy luggage, too. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Seat Leon – Keys (Left & right) Golf and Leon fobs have the widest buttons which are also the nicest to press, but their keys have an annoying tendency to flip open in bags and pockets. Focus device (centre) is not only lighter and slimmer than the others, but also shaped to fit easily inside a pocket or in your palm. Last Word As enthusiasts, we cannot get enough of the Ford Focus. It has the most power and the best handling of the three 1-litre hatchbacks. We also love its accurate steering and coupe-like cockpit. Indeed, the Focus is so fun to punt around corners that we’re willing to forgive its cabin, which is smaller and less practical than its two rivals’. What we can’t overlook, though, is the Ford’s slower performance.With a century sprint time of 12 seconds versus the Golf’s 9.9 seconds and the Leon’s 9.6 seconds, it dampens the excitement felt by a keen driver. Another dampener is the $10,000 VES surcharge levied on the Focus, which inflates its selling price. Without the surcharge, the Ford would have offered even better value for money, as its OMV of $19.3k is about $800 more than the Golf’s. The most expensive car in this story is also, arguably, the most impressive. The 1-litre Seat Leon successfully marries form and function to offer a cabin that’s not only cool-looking, but driver-friendly, too. We also like how the Spaniard has keener responses and more oomph than its German cousin. Interested buyers, however, will have to deal with the Leon’s stiff ride and even stiffer price, which is due to its surprisingly high OMV of $22k. The Volkswagen Golf may not have the Leon’s sportiness or the Focus’ handling qualities, but it remains our pick of this litter. The Golf’s strengths, which include a quiet cabin, well-sorted ride and smooth power delivery, manage to outweigh weaknesses such as the “missing” keyless functions and manual air-con controls. For just under $113,000, the Golf is a good choice for buyers who want a 1-litre hatchback that offers maximum bang for their buck. Check out the Volkswagen Golf Check out the Ford Focus Check out the Seat Leon Volkswagen Golf 1.0 review Ford Focus 1.0 review Seat Leon ST review