Its to bad Ford finally brought the US a real Focus RS and then 2 years later yank it out from under us. >:(

Hard. I owned both. Both are awesome. If I had to do it again, sti

Can’t believe I’m just now finding your channel, loved this review from the start to the very end! Informative as hell, & clean spoken. Best kind of review out there! If I had any type of recommendation whatsoever maybe a full walk around of interior front / back & trunk space as well as perhaps the cupholder area. I saw the STI had a sliding door sortve cupholder, never seen that before! Thank you and keep up the great work!

I was cross shopping both the STI and RS a month ago and did back to back test drives. Was looking at an STI Limited with Recaro Seats, push button start, Harmon Kardon, etc. Never owned a Ford in my like but owned a 13 WRX hatch, and a 15 WRX. I liked the 18 STI a lot. Seats we're good, loved the wheel and gauges and lots of room. Took a 17 RS out on the same backroads and was blown away. Much better steering, the handling is just much sharper and direct and the AWD system with the clutches and real torque vectoring was very noticeable. I also liked the exterior hatch styling over the STI sedan. It was a pretty easy choice for me since a loaded RS 2 was $2K cheaper than the loaded STI after discounts. The Ford dealer also gave me $2K more for my trade. Even if the cars had equal pricing I would have preferred the RS. Ford just really nailed the driving dynamics and fun factor for me.

Wow, this guy is great. One of the best car review/comparison videos I think I’ve ever seen. I’m in the market, and I’m not sure which one I want. I was leaning more toward the STI, but this video has steered me more into the middle again. I’m just going to have to get out there and test drive them both, I guess. Keep up the good work.

I feel like I should be taking notes...what a great video! This one's going to get some big views for sure.

Great videos man. Your attention to detail is outstanding. I have a 2017 base model WRX. I'm only going to put oem Subaru fog lights on it and maybe a tint.

The best 2018 STI review I have seen 👍👍👍

A point of view I was waiting for! Great videos btw

picking up my 2019 STi on wednesday!!

just picked up a ford focus rs about a week ago (2016) and I love it, I was in this same boat between these two cars. I was expecting you to say sti because you kept saying good things about it lol, great review!

Thanks so much for the video man it was awesome!

Awesome review man, I have both cars and they are both amazing. It’s always tough to decide which one I would keep if I had to

You shed negative comments like a boss. I'm learning from you, just by the way you handle trolls and annoying ppl. Awesome dude

I have a Ford ST but am looking for more! This is a great video thanks!

I would take the STI any day. The RS has more power and I like the front end a lot, but hate the rear end. Also the interior looks like it was taken right out of a ford transit lol. If I'm paying 45-50k for a ford focus I don't want to see the same gauges and interior as people who pay 20k. The STI has better looks, better interior, boxer rumble, and adjustable center diff. The engine in the STI is old now but the sound and feel you get from driving one is timeless.

I like the feeling behind the wheel in the STI, the raw mechanical finesse that it transmits, plus the 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗶 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲. I had a 2015 WRX and I went to the dealer to check on the Focus RS, but the $ 35,000 that was originally announced went up. Then I went to the Boxerfest and in the hour waiting to enter, I felt for the unequal length headers. That single element which you enjoy even at speed zero convinced me that my next car was going to be a rumbling STI. Originally, I was going to wait for the next gen, but then I heard that there might not be unequal length headers in the next generation. I heard the engine sound in a Japanese advertisement of STI with the FA engine and I felt like with other brands, they are leaving the experience behind for the Nordschleife's Nürburgring lap time. I would prefer the Porsche 991R to the GT3 RS, even though the later is faster. The driving experience rewards live in the 911R. I think that the STI's price for which I bought the car with the performance exhaust, was the right one for me. W​ay below the RS one. So that made me a happy current owner. Subaru needs to find a sweet spot for the next generation. Many people are screaming for the required engine update. Then we have to see if the price makes it a record selling sports car like it was even when the Evo was better on the tracks. For me, if the STI loses the rumble and it starts to feel like the WRX I owned, then magic would be gone, and I don't plan to use it on the Nürburgring.

Great video man! Thanks!

Nice video! I like the way you did your review for each cars. Suscribed!

Wow amazing review Joe! Been waiting for this! My vote: RS.

Both are great cars. Good review man. Thanks.

I drive an RS, but I just love that Subie rear wing!!!

I had take the Ford, he has more Power and is faster, I love my RS every day 😍

That eighty80 air freshener though 😂😂😂😂, great video bud....

4:00 “Cast aluminum “ stronger than the others types lol 😂 Good vid helped me out

I’m plotting on a RS right now. Took a test drive over the weekend and I fell in love. One of my good friends had the STI and it’s a great car but for me I’m just not a fan of the wing and I feel like I’d be doing a disservice by getting one without it. Love both cars but got to go with the Ford. Love the videos keep’em coming

I really like your comparison. I considered both of these cars...they are both such amazing machines with so much unique character in a day and age where manual transmissions are going extinct and cars are becoming increasingly the same. They both have compromises, which I think you covered really well...but I knew I would have been happy with either and love the car for its good parts and learn to live with the bad. I ultimately went with a 2018 STI and I absolutely love it. As of June 2018, now is a great time to buy an RS or an STI...discounts of $5,000+ below MSRP are to be had on both! I was heartbroken when the Evo was discontinued as I thought it was the beginning of the end of this segment. Ford's Focus RS and Honda's Civic Type R (and possibly the forthcoming Hyundai Veloster N) are surprisingly bringing new life into this segment. As I imagine this is a far less profitable segment than the bland everyday cars that sell by the six pack, I have love for all of these Makers for offering us cars as such.

I'd argue the biggest reasons to pick the STi over the RS is if you intend to track the car frequently, you don't have to worry about an RDU overheating and the car converting to FWD on the STi. For 95% of people, that's a non-issue. I know Mishimoto was working on an RDU cooler, but it was $2,000 and there wasn't enough interest so the idea was canned. Granted, both cars need some cooling prep for track duty anyhow.

Nice Rides Blues Rallys !!! 👍😎🚘

I still remember a time back when the very idea on the possibility of ever seeing either one of these cars outside of some scenes from a few Hollywood movies or playing them on Gran Turismo and a few other video games were little more than just a dream. Of course this was back when the Subaru WRX was still in it's first generation chassis and the Ford RS cars were still either in the form of just a European model Sierra or European model Escort,but I also now realize that those days had already long come and gone by now,but at least these cars came in more advanced modern forms that were also superior in performance as well as potential,too! The very idea of dreaming about something like a Subaru WRX or Ford RS performance car coming to the US has long been a dead thought,considering that the WRX's have now been on American soil for 15-16 years now and the Focus RS finally debuted just only a few years ago at best. Nowadays,we seem to have gotten the majority of these most wanted vehicles in modern form and more! Of course,this is all thanks to how so many of these cars have now been designed and built to be sold as "global platforms" which helped to make these vehicles a reality. It wasn't that long ago where the Ford Mustang was pretty much only mass produced and legally sold in the North American market until recently and many foreign people for years took such a similar interest in this car as we did with WRX's,Evos,Focus RS and GT-R's and now the Mustang has now been finally offered as a global platform for the first time a few years back,too! In fact,this was also during the first year that the Mustang was designed and built with it's very own first independent rear suspension to help it appeal even more to many other foreign markets as well! The global automotive market certainly took it's time in trying to accomplish this sort of effort,though.

Nice review, man. I'm glad you weren't hesitant to be critical about certain features of both cars. Some reviewers tend to say only good things and never cover the bad. So, thank you for that. I'm actually cross-shopping these vehicles at the moment. I actually purchased a 2017 RS last October, and it, unfortunately, fell under the head gasket FSA. Ford, for some reason, issued the FSA without adequately stocking parts; consequently, my car spent 40 days in the shop for a repair that should have taken about 2-3 days (technically only a ~9.5 hour repair, but you know that that repair obviously couldn't be done in a single period). I had Ford buy back my RS (40 days was well into the Lemon Law period in my state) as I just couldn't help but think that there might be some problems down the line from having had the incorrect head gasket placed on the vehicle and that my reliability may be hurt from tearing an engine apart so early into its life. That fiasco has tainted my perception of the RS some; however, the 2018 RS has the correct gasket, and it was a damn fun car to drive when it wasn't in the shop, so I am still contemplating purchasing another. This time, though, I am looking more closely at its competitors like the STi. I test drove a 2018 the other day and it was quite fun. The hydraulic steering is sharp, and while the power is a bit low compared to the RS, its old-school style of boost that kicks you into the back of the seat makes for a fun ride. Moreover, its AWD system is renowned and that boxer rumble is intoxicating. I just don't know if it is worthwhile pursuit considering a refresh is likely to happen in 2020. But then again, the refresh will definitely bring a direct injection motor (this is also a concern with the RS as carbon build up just creates an unnecessary maintenance problem) and likely do away with that signature rumble. I go back and forth on this so much. Again, thanks for the informative and honest review. Do you or others want to weigh in on what you think would be the best option? Thanks!

Hi Joe thank you for another great video, I’m wondering if you have any regrets not waiting for a 2018 RS just thanks advantage of the factory for diff. I love the STI I could never get over that large spoiler.

When I was shopping for my sti I was also looking at the rs because there were so competitive, the thing that sold me for the sti was the room inside the car having the trunk space as well. Also got to love the Subaru family and meeting all Subaru fanatics. But all in all rs and sti both cars just comes to what your really looking what to do with the car .

I own a daily 2009 STI, Im looking at a 2015 STI an a Ford Focus RS. So your review is an good comparison, giong to drive both soon👌

I would say both! i owned a 2016 sti and levorg, they were a brilliant car, nearly perfect, but when I test drive a focus rs, it gives me more fun on handeling, i hope i will have focus rs in the future, there are no way to compare this two car, they were both awesome!

I just bought a 2018 STI, and although I did consider the RS before I purchased anything, I have to say the STI ultimately looks better, inside and out. The exterior of the STI looks more aggressive; the Focus RS at the end of the day is well, a Focus with upgrades. I also hate Ford's gauges. They just look unexciting. I know the RS is a beast on the track and road, but I would take a slightly slowly car for a little less money that looks better anyday.

I was actually looking at both of these cars, exact year and models. Ended up getting the 2018 STI, subaru worked with me quicker than Ford did, very surprisingly since ive purchased my last 3 cars from ford last being a 2013 focus st. Love love love my STI!

Great video mate! I remember when I test drove these back to back.. was sooo hard to pick out of the two!! Each have Pros and Cons definitely. 😀

Love both cars. This is actually a hard decision. I would lean more toward the STI because of the heritage and I grew up playing racing games driving the STI. I love the rawness and the old school of the STI, and love the brembo brakes. It is more comfortable than the RS. However, I would get the RS if I want to track the car. It is definitely faster and a better performing track car. Love the pops, the performance, looks, and the color, it is just outstanding. However, I just don't like the interior in the RS, and the car is stiff. I wish the RS also had brembos in the rear like the STI. There are also issues with the STI, like some parts are not functional. Overall, both cars serve their purpose well. STI for daily driving but also a fun car with full of history and rally heritage. The Focus RS is a track weapon beast that can really tear up the tracks and keep up with high end exotics. Great review!

Great vid!👍 So my prears have been heard!😍😀 How do you rate the last Evo X MR SST, I drove one last year.., he still has it it up for sale.. The manual version, GSR, is lacking a lot of cool stuff the more expensive SST has.. so thats a shame I think.. cheers!

Sti all the way I love my 2019 wrx Sti and yes I tested the Ford Focus Rs both great cars

which engine is on recall now?

My buddy owns one of these and I own a STI. I've driven his and they both feel great very hard to choose between the 2.

I`m loving my 2018 STI. I have not gone over 4k rpm yet, but it does start to boost and pull from about 2800. The car should be good fun with traction off rear bias dccd and at least 1600 kilometers on the clock. It`s all opposite Down under! Cheers.

Love the RS but would be worried about reliability due to the RS not being around for as long as the EJ257 . Great video here.

What a review and I'm still for the RS

Haven't owned either car, I'm liking the raw power of the STI and the steering. But I will need to drive both which is happening soon. Anything more videos of that owner's STI? Keep up the great content!

Hey Joe!!! Aren't those opening vents on the sti bumper there for aero dynamics air flow to allow air through to increase speed and stability or to cool down the rotors and breaking system? That is what it looks like to me.

Both are awesome cars and it just comes down to what you like more. Still have yet to drive an RS and would like to see how it compares to my current sti.

Do you think the new Subaru model in 2020 gonna have that rumble of the old EJ25 engine? I really want to get a Subaru next year but I don’t know if I should wait for the new one to come out

Oh crap...ELHS lol! Nice video. Good job on the comparison. Some days I miss my '02 bugeye wagon. Funny the WRX does not have apple car play in 2018. My wife just got a 2018 Crosstrek and it has car play. Give ya a sub just for being local.

Good job thx. I have a 2018 Sti for 3 months now. Had 2013 Ralliart before. Atleast 2 times a day i get nods or peace signs from Subie owners. 2x only in 4 yrs for the Mitsubishi. Get thumbs up from Focus Rs owners also Lol. The Focus is a cool car also.

We should be happy we have both these great cars to pick from. You can not knock either car and car enthusiasts should respect each other. I am going to go with the rs if I find out I can soften the ride a bit without killing The handling. Make no mistake it rides roughly. If not I will get the sti and be plenty happy .

I have been lucky enough to own both. I loved the STI but your talking over 15k to get more power than 340bhp out of it. The heavy direct steering and handling on the focus is next level. Fine tuning the Subaru to match is again expensive. It's also a 2k upgrade for recaro Cs seats for the scoob at least.

honest and good review ! and my money is on focus RS NB LE

What part of Florida is this, I see alot of places that look like home, also are there any good affordable tune shop around the panhandle

Had an STI and loved it but they still have a big issue since they switched from forged pistons to cast ones. They cant cope and the piston rings go regularly causing significant damage.

I was raised with GM vehicles and tended to not like Ford, until the more recent years. The newest Mustang, First Ranger and F150 trucks look really nice, along with some of their other vehicles. The Focus RS is a great performance car. I've seen several videos about it, but tend to believe it is like many upper line factory performance tuner cars that may tend to be temperamental and at times have some reliability problems compared to the STI, which I tend to believe would be much more reliable and dependable in essentially almost stock form without having as many issues as the Focus RS or other cars in that category. Was it the Focus RS that has a head gasket design/material defect problem I read about before, or was is another Ford performance model?

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻gotta say STI for me all the way ,but both cars are awesome......The Ford gives me that cheap feel inside,and that’s where you spend most of your time at ........Exterior goes to the STI in my opinion as well ,but you are correct they should do something with the fog light area they dropped the ball in the lower front fascia ,but rest of car is spot on !! I’m still old school though 06 Subaru WRX STI all the way for me long live the Hawkeye ...New one has grown on me though I gotta say 15 and newer !! Keep the awesome videos coming!! I would still like to see a 2003-2004 Cobra Terminator video comparison let’s say vs 2013-2014 Shelby GT 500 to get your take on the 2 cars .....iconic cars big time!! 390H.P. Wink wink 😉 vs 662 H.P. Drive them both ,give us your thoughts of the 2 and which one is more fun to drive over all brother.....

Lol, that diffuser on the STI is without a doubt functional.

What wheels is he using for the STI?

Does Ford's recent announcement of discontinuing much of their car line change anything? like in the terms of long term serviceability?

I can't wait to see the new 2020 Subaru WRX/WRX STI Design.

What are the mods on the STI? Looks sharp 😎

Forged metal components are stronger than cast. Also are you sure that the front air ducts are not to cool the brakes?

RS might be better on a performance side. The STI got the look, the rumble of the boxer and the braking. For a daily drive I would go with the STI is more power than I needed. I like the RS too but my hard earned money 💰 would go to the STI. Thanks Raiti for doing the comparison.

Both are awesome rides, WRX all day for me.

I love my 13 subby outback alot but I drove the focus rs and my gosh its unreal.

I decided to get sti as my second car.I have an miata nb,it is preaty nice car for track beginner.I watched initial D and love subaru so much.So year is not so important.If I want a 2004-2014subbie which has no mechanical issue,only runs well,what is it likely cost?

I need to test drive an STI. After owning my Evo X for about 2 years, and test driving an RS yesterday, I would choose Evo over RS any day of the week.

RS model will be out of production soon, plus ford hasn't been a (serious nor existent ) competitor for rally in over a decade . It will sadly only be the subaru left only because the evolutions were the only competitor to the sti :( .

How is the comfort suspension on the RS compared to the golf R comfort mode?

One of the main things that turns me off from the Subaru sti is the infotainment system, I feel it's outdated and way behind other cars of the same year, I had a Subaru sti 2009 and it was a fun car but I always had engine issues, but now I'm thinking of getting a new car and it's between the 2018 sti or 2017 RS but I can't make up my mind lol

what lip is that on the STI? cant really find the same one and it lookes awesome :)

I have an RS and I actually like that there's NO hood scoop. Air distribution can be (and is) done without a hood scoop and, what's worse, a non functional hood scoop. You even pointed out that the intercooler is up front and getting plenty of air flow. Non-functional front air flow and Non-function rear defuser on the sti is actually silly though. One thin I hate in my RS is the bad turning radius isn't good. Gotta say, I do feel the interior of the sti looks boring and dated. Is there no Android Auto in the 2018 STI?! That's likely a deal-breaker. Does the 2018 sti come without the over-sized rear spoiler? I could never do that spoiler.

Why didn't you compare the 2018 STi to a 2018 RS?

I take delivery of my second STI in a few weeks. Why would I pay $12,000 (CDN) more for a Focus RS? Sure, it is faster, but for me, every day the STI does everything I need to do, and more.

I plan on just getting an intake and exhaust for a wrx when I get one. Would I still be at risk of blowing it up???

Gosh that rear 3/4 look of the STI looks so Corolla

I know everyone prefers the STI's looks and in general it's better but idk why I can't get over the ford focus rs 2016 and the 2014 ford feista st, I know it's no the best bang for your buck but something about them I can't get over.

Thought this video would help me decide, but I'm not sure😅 I've test driven the Subarus, not the RS

The sti all day every day

Yeah, this was a good honest review of both cars. In the end, it depends what you want. If you run by the numbers, the Ford is more advanced technologically, and performs better, which is a big thing. The Subaru has way more history and looks and sounds way more badass. Take 'em on a track with same tires, and the difference will not be a huge one. So, forget the numbers, and pick the one you enjoy driving the most. And this is coming from a Ford fan. In this instance, I would pick the Subaru!!!

I'm a bit bias but the RS all the way, STI is getting tired and needs a mechanical refresh. The extra 50hp in the RS is nice as well, I'm hoping Subaru actually decide to do something big with the WRX line. I'd really like to see them back at the top but it seems they are only interested in aesthetics even with the 2020 , its just they have competition now and very strong competition at that. I guess they know by 2020 they will only have to compete with the ST when it comes to ford at that point, the EVO is gone and the RS is stoping production this year so they will be the only mid priced AWD rally focused car on the market.

damn the subie looks so nice!!!! If only one choice Still prefer the RS tho

you can slide the arm rest in the RS forward to make it even more acomidating

I do think the rs is very underestimated because its a Ford Focus. it looks great and it has some really cool features. I have a 2015 still limited and other than seats and a couple small things its basically the same as the 18 and if I could have found a rs for the same price I would have went that route any day. for a couple year old used car the rs is still the same price as they are new if you want a low miles example.

For me my car still has to be as family friendly as possible so STI wins by default since it has more space. It also looks waaaay sexier. These two things won me on the STI over the RS and Type R.

the lack of a widebody on the rs, was the main reason why i went with the 2017 ctr fk8........the fact that ford skipped one of the most important styling cue of a rally car WIDEBODY they fucked up!....hopefully the nex gen rs comes with a wb.......i must admit no one does a better widebody then subaru

Love my focus rs. Looked at the sti but made my choice. And glad i went that way.

good info. personally still think the Focus RS looks better

What makes RS's diffuser functional and the STI's not?

The Ford is no doubt a great car….but I’ll take the AWD and a Subaru quality. Just picked up my new 2021 WRX last month - loving it! 😎

I'm not a big of of high tech interior of the cars. This is how I love a car to be : Racing seats with cloth and no heat or electric ( base manual adjusting) with power window and mirrors. A base touch screen radio with Bluetooth ( so you can change it yourself and not pay $1000 at the dealership to have it included) a track switch and traction control switch. Remember the more basic is inside the more it will hold. The more electronics you have the more often it will brake. Also I hate push to start button. I love classic key so you feel like you actually start the engine. And of course manual transmission. And yes I do have a Toyota 86 orange lava , base model exactly how I described up here. And it's perfect. Also the engine it's not covered in a plastic box, you have access to it (check brz-toyota 86 engine bay if you don't know 2017+models ) you better get get base model so you can adapt it to your style and needs. And not over pay ( I know dealerships install tint on the car and they put extra 600-$800 and it actually costs 250$ ) and other stuff. If you get a rally car or even a daily that you want to track it or have fun on mountain you need to be as basic as possible (weight reduction ) that's just me. I had a Nissan 350z top specs with all the electronics and white leather with heat and all that. And it slowly started to brake one by one. And it's not fun to fix it when you could have had basic seats ) you need to enjoy a car not to be a airplane inside lol. Put your phone aside and feel the car, hear the engine and have fun in track and mountains

Specs-wise, I know the Focus RS has a little more edge over the WRX STi, but for the overall look, the STi is much better looking than the Focus RS. In addition, the RS is more expensive than the STi, so I think Ford has priced itself out of the competition. Look at it this way, I live in the suburbs where I can see all kind of nice cars and expensive cars. I see many STi on the streets, but I have not yet seen a Focus RS (except in a Car Meet which is owned by some car company). That pretty much sum it up. P.S. I think you are wrong about the front grill opening (where the fog lights used to be). It does channel air to the tire and brake. But I do agree it should not be that big. I like the JDM model where they put an LED light on it. I am sure we can buy that through some 3rd party vendors.

As a current WRX owner, I would buy the Focus RS. The resale value, reliability, and Uneven length Header rumble of the STIs are incredible, but that old EJ motor, with its turbo lag, the car's tendency to understeer, and prone to ringland failures, are old school at best. The standard WRX is a much better value at $27K. @ $40K for a STI? No thanks.

Raiti, id really like to pick your brain about these two cars... i have a 2017 Rs, and ive always been a die hard subaru love. What would you rather be in on a daily? Does less room bother you in the Rs? I've been all over the internet about these two cars i did test drive it but test driving a car and driving them both for a week straight (separately) is a different story. After owning the Rs now how do you feel? Maybe switching sooner then you think or staying with the Rs just because of the power and such?

Hi Joe, I think you came up with a new name for car color, bowling ball blue haha. I had the chance to sit in an RS and the interior felt really cramped, Like there was hardly any space. Maybe that’s something I would get used to though, don’t know. I guess I took for granted how roomie the STI seems and how good the visibility is also.

Test drove both - the STI is more comfortable and easier to daily - plus it looks better all round - if I need it to go faster down the track I will just get it tuned

what are those rims on the sti