Comparison Tests

Ford SVT Focus vs. Mini Cooper S
First Place - 2003 Ford SVT Focus
By Kelly Stennick
Date Posted 08-26-2003



Last year we chose the Ford SVT Focus as our favorite sport hatchback, and this year we are pleased to stand behind our first choice. The Mini Cooper S may take the SVT Focus in the cute department, but when push comes to shove, the Focus offers a total package that's hard to beat.

As in our previous comparison test, the SVT Focus wowed us by excelling in numerous categories. It pulled impressive numbers on the track and throughout instrumented testing, plus provided a comfortable, intuitive cabin during real-world driving. And it still boasted a price tag of just $20,255 (including destination).

Our SVT Focus test car carried only minimal optional equipment. It featured the Audiophile package which included an in-dash six-disc CD changer over the standard single CD unit, plus high-intensity discharge lights. The rest of our fun came straight off the SVT Focus' standard equipment list.

The SVT (Special Vehicle Team) version of the Focus is based on the lesser Focus ZX3 hatchback. Compared to the ZX3 model, the SVT Focus gets a Cosworth-developed 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine; six-speed transmission; sport-tuned suspension; larger brakes; 17-inch wheels and tires; and sporty interior and exterior treatments. In contrast to a regular Focus ZX3 hatchback's engine, the SVT's power plant features stronger connecting rods, lightweight pistons (along with a higher compression ratio) and a freer-flowing cylinder head. The intake camshaft timing is variable, which helps to improve low-end torque, and a dual-stage intake manifold bolsters high-end power. The result is 170 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 145 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm, with redline set at 7,200 rpm, and a smooth, linear delivery of power that provides plenty of driving excitement at the push of a pedal.

The six-speed manual transmission exhibited easy action once we got used to the feel of the gearbox. One editor noted that the shifter wasn't as positive as he would have liked, with a bit of a rubbery feel, but missed shifts were rare.

Both the Ford and the Mini turned in fine performances on the track, with the Mini having a slight edge in straight acceleration and lap times. Our resident test driver noted that the Focus was very predictable, with a wide power band that made it easy to drive fast. Experienced drivers can coax even a quicker time from the Cooper S, but since most drivers don't qualify as professionals, we're confident that neither car will disappoint.

We readily acknowledge that the sport-tuned suspension is just that, tuned for sport, and therefore we didn't deduct points for the stiff ride over bumps. Pitting the SVT Focus' ride quality against the Cooper S' ride that we've always admitted was a bit harsh, we used the very technical, highly scientific ponytail test to determine which ride would be most easily tolerated during everyday driving. The ponytail test is built around one small, ponytail-wearing three-year-old strapped into her rear-seat-anchored safety chair. As test driver and young co-pilot navigate a predetermined route of freeway and surface street mileage, the test driver looks in the rearview mirror, gauging how high the little blonde ponytails bounce over each bump. While both the Ford and Mini sent the little locks a-jumping, the toddler's head appeared to be less bobblelike while riding in the Focus.

For the most part, we found the Focus' steering to be sharp and crisp with good feedback and weighting. After comparing notes, though, two editors found that they had experienced the same loss of power assist when the car was stopped and the wheel was turned sharply. Both times this happened during tight parking situations.

When a car is built for driving excitement, as the SVT Focus is, stopping power is as important, if not more so, than acceleration prowess. The Focus didn't disappoint. With larger brakes than the ZX3 (and rear discs in place of the base hatchback's drums), the SVT version was able to reach a complete halt in just 115 feet during a 60-to-0-mph brake test.

While racing over hill and dale, we forced ourselves to slow down and put aside the driving performance of the SVT Focus in order to consider the interior as well. Although opinions about the unique design of the asymmetrical dash differ vastly from editor to editor, all seemed to conclude that the white-faced gauges were attractive and easy to read. Same for the climate control operation — three big, easy-to-reach and -operate dials received high marks for their self-evident simplicity.

The audio system, much like the rest of the Focus' interior features, was logically placed and intuitive with large preset buttons and dial volume control. The only drawback is that there's no tuning ****, rather just a seek button. After punching the button numerous times to travel quickly from one end of the radio dial to the other, we realized just how convenient it is to have a simple **** to spin.

Resting our bums in the front seats was a pleasurable experience. We appreciated the firm, well-shaped seats with good bolstering and adjustable lumbar, with our only complaint being the hard-to-reach twist-**** for seat back recline. Rear-seat occupants were nearly as lucky, since the Focus is more spacious than many small hatchbacks, with about six and a half inches more legroom than the Cooper S, as well as generous padding and under thigh support. Two rear passengers also had ample hiproom, even with a bulky child seat installed between them (we did have to remove and stow the middle headrest in order to anchor the child seat flush against the rear seat back).

During our outing to the high-desert raceway for performance testing, we loaded a large ice chest, two beach chairs and plenty of unhealthy snack items, which the Focus' deep, rear cargo area swallowed up eagerly. We used the sturdy cargo cover to hide our wares from our fellow editors until we decided we were ready to share. The rear hatch door was easy to slam shut, but could only be opened using the key fob or a dash-mounted button since there was no release handle on the hatch itself, even if the car was already unlocked.

While the main cargo area was vast, Ford had obviously decided against adding many storage compartments in the interior. With no center console, one must resort to the glovebox, door bins or a small drawer at the bottom of the center stack in which to hide items such as cell phones, garage door openers and extra tubes of toddler-bribing Mini M&Ms. Cupholders, two in the front and two in the rear are small, and the front holders would not accommodate a tallish bottle due to interference from the bottom of the dash.

So you want an inexpensive, fun-to-drive passenger and cargo-carrying vehicle? For a second year in a row, we heartily recommend the SVT Focus. While we enjoyed our time in the Cooper S immensely, its lack of cargo capacity and bumpy ride would be a challenge during routine jaunts about town. The SVT Focus, with its dynamic handling characteristics and roomy interior, should make your everyday commute and aggressive driving outings a real pleasure.

Second Opinions:

Editor in Chief Karl Brauer says:
It's not uncommon to see yesterday's benchmark performance car transformed into today's "has-been wannabe." Time waits for no man, or machine, especially in the world of cutting-edge high performance. It is for this reason that the SVT Focus' excellent showing during this comparison test is all the more impressive. Last year it soundly trounced the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S, and this year it once again proved fully capable when confronted by the current "it car" that everyone seems to love: BMW's Mini Cooper S.

The Focus' advantage comes not from superior performance, but from a total package that provides enthusiast fun on the weekends and real-world driving pleasure for the daily grind. The suspension soaks up public road craters with ease while not feeling floppy on the smooth tarmac of the Streets of Willow racetrack. The engine's wide power band and refined nature combines with a fluid six-speed shifter to make hot lapping or canyon carving a thrill, and the interior dimensions translate into realistic accommodations for four full-size adults. Even the dashboard is more functional. The white-faced instruments feature a speedo properly located in front of the driver and an oil pressure and oil temperature gauge (we don't know of another sub-$20,000 car that offers this level or performance-oriented instrumentation).

I'd like just a bit more front legroom, and I'm fully aware of the Focus' excessive recall history. However, I'll put up with a few trips to the dealer for some minor updates if every moment spent behind the wheel is a pure delight (with no unwanted side effects due to its performance-car nature). This Ford continues to be an amazing smile-per-mile bargain.

Road Test Editor John DiPietro says:
Many things about the Focus SVT make it very likable. It's got a great chassis that provides nimble, communicative handling along with a supple ride that won't have you thinking you had to make a compromise for entertainment while unraveling a winding road. Comfortable seats, simple controls and room in back for two adults round out the SVT's endearing qualities. I was rather ambivalent about the powertrain; although a smooth operator, the hopped-up 2.0-liter four left me wanting a bit more; it just didn't feel as eager as I expected. Part of that sensation was probably due to the "heavy flywheel" effect — it seemed that the engine didn't spin up or down as quickly as that in the Mini.

Since the Focus' debut, I've warmed up to the exterior styling (of the three-door) and the SVT tweaks (such as the aggressive front fascia and 17-inch wheels) make it plain that this isn't just a commuter's Focus. The interior is a mixed bag; excellent seats and instruments but a hideous dash. All things considered, the SVT makes more sense than the Mini; it provides nearly identical handling prowess along with a better ride and more room for those assigned to the rear seats. But I'll admit I'm not always the most sensible guy, so I still have to go with the Mini for its supercharged fun factor