The Subaru WRX vs. The Ford Focus RS
The Subaru WRX and Ford Focus RS are two
rally-inspired performance cars closely matched in most ways, but the Ford
Focus RS will cost you over $41,000 while the WRX starts at $27,195. While the
Focus RS provides more horsepower through its all-wheel drive system, Subaru
practically invented all-wheel drive and has had it as a standard feature on
most of its vehicles for years. Indeed, Subaru is the only automaker with an
all-wheel drive system built from the ground up, rather than integrated as an
add-on. If you live in northern New England and are familiar with our winters,
you'll want all-wheel drive that has been proven over decades.
What other ways do the WRX and the Focus RS
compare?
Performance- The Ford Focus RS
has a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-4 engine that makes 350 horsepower
and 350 pound-feet of torque. The Subaru WRX STI offers a 2.5-liter
turbocharged flat-4 that makes 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. In
both cases, the engines come paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The WRX
makes up for the difference in power with a much lighter build, which means
drivers feel the horsepower and torque more easily than in the heavier Ford
Focus RS.
Safety- In recent years,
automotive safety has grown leaps and bounds beyond the airbags and crash test
ratings, although these are still important, but only the Subaru WRX seems to
have kept up while the Ford Focus RS remains in the past. Only the WRX offers
advanced driver-assist systems like pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring,
and adaptive cruise control, which are all helpful in their own ways and may be
enough to keep you from getting into an accident.
Styling and Interior- Both of
these cars will stand out with their exteriors, so it really comes down to if
you prefer a sedan look, which the WRX has, or a hatchback look, which the Ford
Focus RS has. Inside the cabins, both offer high-end materials to make you feel
at home and comfortable in your new car, and they both offer high-tech features
to help along your journeys. Again, it comes down to which you prefer, and you
can always test out how the WRX suits you with a visit to our
dealership.