We want to replace our 2009 Ford Focus with something more powerful - what do you suggest? | Ask Honest John

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We want to replace our 2009 Ford Focus with something more powerful - what do you suggest?

We currently have a 2009 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 automatic. We find this car very underpowered and have been looking to change to a Volkswagen Golf. The sales people are trying to get us interested in a Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5 door, so can you tell us if the Golf is more powerful? We are in our 70s and we use the car on relatively short journeys with the occasional long haul.

Asked on 26 May 2012 by JB, Stevenage

Answered by Honest John

If you are thinking Golf automatic, then this will be a DSG and they can occasionally hesitate when exiting side roads and entering roundabouts. But the 1.4TSI 122 is a nice engine, with lots of low down torque. It will feel more powerful than a Focus 1.6 100PS. This is a test and video of the manual Gold 1.4TSI 122: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/volkswagen/vw-golf.../

Also check out a Honda Jazz 1.4 CVT-7, a Toyota Verso S Multidrive S, a Hyundai ix20 1.6 auto and a KIA Venga 1.6 auto.

Tags: automatics performance buying a new car

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