FORD vs MAZDA vs HONDA test

FORD vs MAZDA vs HONDA
Imagine: you have €30,000 or so to spend to treat yourself. The Ford Focus RS has caught your eye but its starting price of €33,650 is too rich for your blood. Should you just bite the bullet or consider the new Mazda 3 MPS. The front end is edgier with its aggressive head lamps, but isn’t nearly as sporty from the side, perhaps that is due to the five doors. The interior is up to snuff and the equipment package is complete; all for €30,000.

Another alternative is the Honda Civic Type R Championship Edition, with an auto-blocking system for €30,800.

When it comes to power, the Focus gets the nod with its 305 brake horsepower, while the Mazda 3 with its 260bhp is far ahead of the Civic, which is has just 201bhp.

That takes care of the raw data, but the idea is about pleasure and that is what we’ll now delve into.

Honda Civic Type R
First up is the Type R…Despite only 200 brake horsepower this normally aspirated engine can be pushed to 8000 rpm while distilling a sweet sounding engine noise. The gearbox is ultra-quick and precise, the stiff suspension keeps the car running flat and the seats are as comfortable as you like. This Honda has a lot of arguments in its favour.

But there are two minor problems. The front axle isn’t progressive. It does a good enough job then with no notice it bogs down and the brake peddle is just a bit spongy.

Mazda 3 MPS
The first thing you notice about the Mazda is that its suspension is a lot softer than the Honda. You have to man handle in the slow corners for the back end to come around and don’t expect too much sliding. The seats are another sticking point. They were not made to keep you cinched in, which confirms that this Mazda 3 MPS is not an out and out sports car.

Other than that, there is plenty of power from the 260bhp engine and the brakes are enduring. There isn’t much to criticise except that it isn’t most enjoyable car to drive on a circuit, which for everyday use can be an advantage.






La bombe Focus RS
We end with the most powerful front wheel drive currently on the market, the Focus RS. After a few warm up laps, it came time to test the power but even more so its vivacity in entering corners. Here, you enter another world with a car that reacts to the slightest solicitation but always in a safe manner.

Getting it to slide around is so easy and fun that it becomes hard to be satisfied and not try to do a little more. Top end speed suffers but you are having so much fun it doesn’t matter.

With such wonderful handling aspects, it can be forgiven for a having a slightly too high driving position and a front axle that tends to dig in while entering the fast bends, but this is a small price to pay for all the pleasure the RS procures.

This car is best in the hands of those who know what they are doing but it could quickly take its toll on ones driving privileges.




So which of the three to choose? It is up to you to decide between the three different philosophies or wait. This segment is expanding by the day. Renault has just brought out the Megane RS, Seat will soon introduce the Leon Cupra as will Volkswagen with the Scirocco and Golf R and rest assured we can’t wait to give them all a try.