Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium vs Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic
15 Aug 2016|167,063 views
If you've been reading our reviews for the past one year or so, you might recognise that this writer is quite the fan of hot hatches.
However, having owned and toyed around with a 'warm' hatch for a couple of years, he's come to realise that he's not so hot about the operating costs involved.
That said, he continues to believe that hatches are the best types of cars to own and because of this, the Editorial Team is on a continued pursuit to find one, which can be fun to drive yet cheap to run.
The Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic joins the league of compact and capable city cars
Last month, we conducted a twin test using the Peugeot 308 1.2 and the Volkswagen Golf 1.2. This month, the hatch match continues, with the Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium and the Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic.
However, having owned and toyed around with a 'warm' hatch for a couple of years, he's come to realise that he's not so hot about the operating costs involved.
That said, he continues to believe that hatches are the best types of cars to own and because of this, the Editorial Team is on a continued pursuit to find one, which can be fun to drive yet cheap to run.
Last month, we conducted a twin test using the Peugeot 308 1.2 and the Volkswagen Golf 1.2. This month, the hatch match continues, with the Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium and the Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic.
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Exterior
Hatch owners tend to be younger so the cars' designs play a huge role in the deciding factor, and whether a design is nice or not, largely depends on individual preference.
In our eyes, the Astra checks in as the more detailed and stylish car, thanks to clever use of chrome strips and nicely pinched-out body lines.
The Astra also tapers nicely towards a fashionable rear end, emphasised by a pair of pop-out tail lamps, and its larger 17-inch rims also give it an aesthetic edge over the Focus' 16-inch set.
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Interior
Being nice on the eyes is one thing but more importantly, you have to enjoy being on the inside because that's where you're going to spend most of your time.
The Focus is $4,000 cheaper than the Astra (as of 10th August 2016) and it shows on the inside. Its cabin is made up of more hard plastics, and design of the centre console isn't as modern as the Astra's.
However, the Focus doesn't short-change on comfort - its seats are plush and ambient lightings compensate for the largely monochromatic cabin.
In the Astra, things are slightly more upmarket due to clever use of piano black panels finished in chrome trims.
The 7.0-inch infotainment system in the Astra is also more user-friendly, serving up CarPlay and Android Auto functionality into the mix. The Focus loses out slightly in terms of this, as its infotainment system isn't particularly responsive and can be rather unintuitive to operate.
On top of that, the Astra's cabin and 54-litre larger trunk also presents a tad bit more space, which comes to shine when seating five on grocery runs.
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The Drive
At the heart of the Focus is a turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which produces 123bhp and 170Nm of torque. The Astra has lower power output figures, rated at 104bhp from a turbocharged 1.0-litre, tri-cylinder engine, but with a similar 170Nm torque output.
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Yet, the Astra's engine is a punchier and quieter unit compared to the Focus, despite the Ford having more power. Credit for this is the Easytronic's modus operandi - its 'automated manual' Easytronic gearbox - which doesn't lose as much power from the engine.
Combined with a lighter kerb weight, the Astra manages to perform in a more energetic fashion as compared to the Focus. Because of this, the Astra is also more frugal on petrol, averaging 15.8km/L, while the Focus did 13km/L.
In terms of delivery, the Focus' six-cog auto is the easier box to manage. Though slow, it doesn't jerk during shifts the way the Astra's Easytronic does. On the other hand, the Astra presents more driving engagement due to its manual-like powertrain, if driving a manual is your cup of tea.
The Focus' 'finger-operated' SelectShift remains unintuitive even to this day and just doesn't encourage or inspire you to drive hard.
Features-wise, the Astra knocks the Focus clean out of the playing field with its impressive suite of electric guardians. But, the Focus makes up for this by having a taut and strong body, which gives it an edge around corners.
Conclusion
Deciding between the Focus and Astra ultimately comes down to personal preferences. Would you pay $4,000 more for the Astra's interior refinement and safety systems? Or are you contented driving the Focus as a simple, corner-carving hatch?
Considering that long-term fuel frugality and cabin comfort are the aims of this hatch experiment, we may just cough up that $4,000 to be pampered by the finer-furnished Astra.
If you've been reading our reviews for the past one year or so, you might recognise that this writer is quite the fan of hot hatches.
However, having owned and toyed around with a 'warm' hatch for a couple of years, he's come to realise that he's not so hot about the operating costs involved.
That said, he continues to believe that hatches are the best types of cars to own and because of this, the Editorial Team is on a continued pursuit to find one, which can be fun to drive yet cheap to run.
Last month, we conducted a twin test using the Peugeot 308 1.2 and the Volkswagen Golf 1.2. This month, the hatch match continues, with the Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium and the Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic.
However, having owned and toyed around with a 'warm' hatch for a couple of years, he's come to realise that he's not so hot about the operating costs involved.
That said, he continues to believe that hatches are the best types of cars to own and because of this, the Editorial Team is on a continued pursuit to find one, which can be fun to drive yet cheap to run.
Last month, we conducted a twin test using the Peugeot 308 1.2 and the Volkswagen Golf 1.2. This month, the hatch match continues, with the Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium and the Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic.
Exterior
Hatch owners tend to be younger so the cars' designs play a huge role in the deciding factor, and whether a design is nice or not, largely depends on individual preference.
In our eyes, the Astra checks in as the more detailed and stylish car, thanks to clever use of chrome strips and nicely pinched-out body lines.
The Astra also tapers nicely towards a fashionable rear end, emphasised by a pair of pop-out tail lamps, and its larger 17-inch rims also give it an aesthetic edge over the Focus' 16-inch set.
Hatch owners tend to be younger so the cars' designs play a huge role in the deciding factor, and whether a design is nice or not, largely depends on individual preference.
In our eyes, the Astra checks in as the more detailed and stylish car, thanks to clever use of chrome strips and nicely pinched-out body lines.
The Astra also tapers nicely towards a fashionable rear end, emphasised by a pair of pop-out tail lamps, and its larger 17-inch rims also give it an aesthetic edge over the Focus' 16-inch set.
Interior
Being nice on the eyes is one thing but more importantly, you have to enjoy being on the inside because that's where you're going to spend most of your time.
The Focus is $4,000 cheaper than the Astra (as of 10th August 2016) and it shows on the inside. Its cabin is made up of more hard plastics, and design of the centre console isn't as modern as the Astra's.
However, the Focus doesn't short-change on comfort - its seats are plush and ambient lightings compensate for the largely monochromatic cabin.
In the Astra, things are slightly more upmarket due to clever use of piano black panels finished in chrome trims.
The 7.0-inch infotainment system in the Astra is also more user-friendly, serving up CarPlay and Android Auto functionality into the mix. The Focus loses out slightly in terms of this, as its infotainment system isn't particularly responsive and can be rather unintuitive to operate.
On top of that, the Astra's cabin and 54-litre larger trunk also presents a tad bit more space, which comes to shine when seating five on grocery runs.
The Drive
At the heart of the Focus is a turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which produces 123bhp and 170Nm of torque. The Astra has lower power output figures, rated at 104bhp from a turbocharged 1.0-litre, tri-cylinder engine, but with a similar 170Nm torque output.
Yet, the Astra's engine is a punchier and quieter unit compared to the Focus, despite the Ford having more power. Credit for this is the Easytronic's modus operandi - its 'automated manual' Easytronic gearbox - which doesn't lose as much power from the engine.
Combined with a lighter kerb weight, the Astra manages to perform in a more energetic fashion as compared to the Focus. Because of this, the Astra is also more frugal on petrol, averaging 15.8km/L, while the Focus did 13km/L.
In terms of delivery, the Focus' six-cog auto is the easier box to manage. Though slow, it doesn't jerk during shifts the way the Astra's Easytronic does. On the other hand, the Astra presents more driving engagement due to its manual-like powertrain, if driving a manual is your cup of tea.
The Focus' 'finger-operated' SelectShift remains unintuitive even to this day and just doesn't encourage or inspire you to drive hard.
Features-wise, the Astra knocks the Focus clean out of the playing field with its impressive suite of electric guardians. But, the Focus makes up for this by having a taut and strong body, which gives it an edge around corners.
Conclusion
Deciding between the Focus and Astra ultimately comes down to personal preferences. Would you pay $4,000 more for the Astra's interior refinement and safety systems? Or are you contented driving the Focus as a simple, corner-carving hatch?
Considering that long-term fuel frugality and cabin comfort are the aims of this hatch experiment, we may just cough up that $4,000 to be pampered by the finer-furnished Astra.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium (A)
CAT A|Petrol|18.1km/L
Horsepower
92kW (123 bhp)
Torque
170 Nm
Acceleration
12sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Ford Focus HatchbackOpel Astra 1.0 Easytronic (A)
CAT A|Petrol|23.3km/L
Horsepower
78kW (104 bhp)
Torque
170 Nm
Acceleration
12.7sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Opel Astra
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