Ford Focus RS vs Mitsubishi Evo X vs Subaru Impreza STi: 2009 group test
A bolt from the blue oval has exploded on to the performance car scene in the shape of Ford’s Focus RS
The Ford Focus RS has raised the bar in the hot hatch class. With a fearsome 2.5-litre turbocharged engine that produces 301bhp under the bonnet, it has left its traditional rivals in the shade by delivering incredible straight-line performance. Even though the Focus lost out to the more entertaining MINI JCW on its road test debut back in February, the hot Ford simply blew the competition into the weeds against the clock at our test track.
We think the new RS has outgrown its hot hatch roots then – but does it have what it takes to compete with cars from the class above? To find out, we’ve lined up a pair of rally bred rivals. The Mitsubishi Evo X FQ330 and Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type UK 330S are both equipped with hugely powerful turbocharged engines – but that is where the similarities end. While the Ford relies on a sophisticated differential and highly advanced front suspension system to transfer all its power to the tarmac, the Mitsubishi and Subaru have the advantage of four-wheel drive.
The Focus has a trick up its sleeve, though – at £26,395, it undercuts its competitors by a significant margin.
Will this be enough to take the fastest-ever Ford hatch to a historic, giant-slaying victory? Or will the dynamic superiority of the Japanese cars see them past the chequered flag first? Fasten your seatbelts for a thrilling ride as we find out.
Verdict
Our three contenders come with the promise of supercar pace and thrills in a practical family car package – but they take different routes to the same destination.
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Cash £10,500The Ford is the most extreme front-wheel-drive hot hatch ever, the Mitsubishi saloon is a hi-tech tour de force and the Subaru relies on tried and tested engineering. So, which one of our rally inspired trio takes the chequered flag?
The Impreza is first to drop out of the running. There’s no denying that the 330S has plenty of character, and on twisting back roads it still delivers scorching pace. But its chassis lacks the sophistication and polish of its rivals, making it feel old-fashioned in comparison.
Separating the Ford and the Mitsubishi is tougher. The Evo X is sharper to drive thanks to the incredible traction and agility of its four-wheel-drive chassis. Yet you can’t ignore its huge £35,999 price. Lower-powered Evos offer similar pace for better value.
That leaves the Focus out in front. For the money, not many cars can match its performance, dynamic ability and visual impact. It’s a true fast Ford – and fully deserves the coveted RS badge.
First place: Ford Focus RS
The Focus RS has been around for a few months, yet it still has jaw-dropping visual impact. With its big spoilers, gaping grille and vast 19-inch alloy wheels, the Ford clearly signals its high-performance potential.
Look closer and you’ll spot the neat bonnet vents, blue RS badges and huge twin tailpipes. The Mitsubishi and Subaru blend into the background when parked alongside the RS.
So it’s a pity more effort wasn’t made inside. Apart from a pair of body-hugging Recaro seats up front and a smattering of fake carbon fibre, the layout is carried over unchanged from the Focus ST.
Still, that means a solid finish, plus plenty of space, with room for five adults. Access to the rear seats isn’t as easy as in the other cars, as the RS comes only as a three-door. But this doesn’t affect load carrying ability – fold the rear seats, and the 385-litre boot stretches to 1,247 litres.
It’s fair to say buyers of this type of car are more interested in performance than practicality – and the Focus doesn’t disappoint. Keyless go is standard, and when you hit the starter button, the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo burbles into life. It delivers 301bhp to the front wheels – that’s not as much power as its rivals here, and the Ford doesn’t have the traction of the two 4WD Japanese cars. But its lower kerbweight compensates.
We weren’t surprised to see the RS trail in the sprint from 0-60mph – it was more than a second slower, with a time of 6.2 seconds. Yet the weight advantage tells on the move, as the Ford provides explosive in-gear acceleration. Peak torque of 440Nm is at 2,250rpm, and the RS needed 7.2 seconds to get from 50-70mph in sixth – that’s only two-tenths longer than the more powerful Evo X.
In the real world, the Focus’s pace is blistering, while the off-beat growl of its five-cylinder engine adds to the drama. It’s not perfect, though. With so much power being directed to the front wheels, torque steer can be an issue – particularly on bumpy surfaces and in the wet – even though the car has Ford’s clever RevoKnuckle suspension set-up.
This is our only criticism of the excellent chassis, though. Grip is incredible through fast turns, while the limited slip differential boosts traction out of slower bends. The steering offers plenty of feedback to help you make the most of the car’s agility, the gearshift is quick and positive, and the brakes are powerful.
Most impressive of all is its price. At £26,395, the RS is a huge £9,604 cheaper than the Evo X. Even if you add sat-nav, xenons and Bluetooth options, you’ll make a big saving. This great value combines with the eye-catching looks, pace and thrills to help the Focus set a tough benchmark.
Second place: Mitsubishi Evo X FQ330 SST
Competition improves the breed – and the Mitsubishi Evolution proves it. Designed to conquer the world’s rally stages, the Japanese model has undergone constant change and improvement since its introduction way back in 1992.
Now in its 10th generation, the Mitsubishi is faster and more advanced than ever. The FQ330 we’ve lined up for this test is equipped with a more powerful version of the standard model’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, while the hi-tech twin-clutch gearbox has been tweaked to give smoother and faster shifts.
What hasn’t changed is the in-your-face styling. While the Evo X doesn’t turn as many heads as the Ford, it still makes a real impression. With its aggressive nose, high-rise rear spoiler, bulging wheelarches and multiple cooling ducts cut into the bonnet, it’s every inch a racer for the road.
Climb aboard and you’ll find the cabin is much less striking. Given the car’s hefty £35,999 asking price, it’s disappointing to be greeted by low-rent plastics, cheap-
feeling switchgear and bland dashboard design. What you can’t complain about is the amount of kit fitted as standard – this includes a touchscreen sat-nav, climate control and a 30GB music hard drive.
Equally generous is the space on offer, with ample leg and headroom for all occupants. Then again, the compact boot doesn’t look nearly as large as the 400 litres Mitsubishi claims, and versatility is limited by the fact that the rear bench doesn’t fold.
However, buyers won’t feel short-changed when it comes to performance. The Evo’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is the smallest here, but it punches well above its weight. At the test track, the car reaped the benefits of its clever four-wheel-drive system and SST gearbox – complete with launch control – to blast from 0-60mph in five seconds exactly. That’s a full second faster than the Subaru. It’s just a shame the powerplant has none of the character of the Impreza or Focus engines.
The unit is short on refinement, too. It sounds thrashy and strained at high revs – a problem that’s highlighted by a short top gear, which results in an intrusive drone at motorway speeds. The Evo X is at its best on tight and twisty back roads, where you can revel in the staggering agility of its chassis.
Few cars are as composed or as fast over undulating switchback roads like those on our Welsh test route. Despite having a firm ride and minimal body roll, the Mitsubishi glides over bumps and slices through bends with real poise. The steering could do with more feel, but is scalpel sharp, while the gearbox delivers rapid-fire changes that are much improved over the original.
The real genius lies in the Evo X’s sophisticated four-wheel-drive system. It shifts power seamlessly between axles and wheels, and as a result delivers incredible grip in all conditions.
This comes at a hefty price, though – the £35,999 Mitsubishi costs nearly £10,000 more than the Focus RS. It is incredibly good, but has it done enough to justify such a hefty premium?
Third place: Subaru Impreza STi Type UK 330S
If there’s one car that’s sure to get performance fans excited, it’s the Subaru Impreza. The turbocharged, four-wheel-drive model has won a dedicated and passionate following since it was introduced more than 15 years ago. However, the latest five-door version has failed to capture the imagination like previous models.
Competition from the Evo and a new generation of powerful hot hatches has left the Impreza trailing. In an effort to boost its fortunes, bosses have introduced this, the 330S. Based on the hot WRX STi, it gets a 29bhp power boost – which takes the overall output to an Evo-rivalling 325bhp –as well as a longer list of standard kit.
Externally, the 330S is identified by a set of handsome 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. Elsewhere, it uses the same muscular bodywork as the STi, complete with wide wheelarches and a huge bonnet scoop.
To our eyes, the end result looks dated compared to the distinctive Evo and brutish Focus, although it certainly has presence.
The interior is even more disappointing. With cheap plastics and flimsy build quality, the cabin is underwhelming when you consider the car’s £30,350 price tag. There is plenty of standard kit, though, including sat-nav, keyless entry and xenon headlamps.
It’s also practical, with generous room for occupants and a versatile five-door layout. But the rear differential for the four-wheel-drive system results in a high boot floor and a disappointing 301-litre carrying capacity. Folding the rear seats flat liberates a useful total of 1,216 litres.
On paper, the Subaru’s characterful 2.5-litre boxer engine should be the strongest here, because it develops an Evo-matching 325bhp. Its torque output of 470Nm is also 30Nm higher than the Ford.
However, the unit suffers from turbo lag, and feels very lethargic at low revs. As a result, it takes 9.8 seconds to cover the dash from 50-70mph in top gear – a full 2.8 seconds slower than the Mitsubishi. But don’t think the Subaru is slow.
Selecting the Sport Sharp mode on the Si-Drive control improves throttle response and once the revs rise above 3,500rpm, the 330S is savagely quick. The downside is that to maintain this pace you constantly have to change gear using the clunky manual box.
Turn into a corner and you’ll discover the Impreza’s chassis is equally frustrating. Where the Evo uses hi-tech electronics for its all-wheel-drive system, the Subaru relies on traditional mechanical limited slip differentials. The set-up is effective – there’s bags of traction and grip – but it’s unrefined compared to the Evo. The over-light steering also lacks the feel and sharpness of the Mitsubishi and Ford.
On the plus side, the 330S is still devastatingly quick over twisting back roads, while its soft suspension set-up copes well with poor surfaces.
There’s no doubt the Subaru is feeling old now. But its tuneful motor, surging on-boost performance and secure handling still make it a capable proposition.
