Ford Focus vs Vauxhall Astra vs Peugeot 306 - With Richard Hammond (1999)

[@s.leochapman417]

The 306 was starting to look dated at the time because it was older than those two models from Ford and Opel... and yet, somewhat ironically, years later it seems to have stood the test of time better styling-wise, and I'd take a mint 306 over the other two any day if I'm honest.

[@paulhendrix8599]

"The 306 is starting to look dated" I love the look.

[@MrSparklespring]

Me too, I drive a 306 (model 2000) 1600 with automatic gearbox and I would describe the design now as 'timeless'.

[@bigbadbear2962]

I don’t love the reliability though.

[@konyina]

@@bigbadbear2962 They proved to be pretty reliable, the diesels were the best in the business really.

[@bigbadbear2962]

@@konyina my old 307, that I bought new from Peugeot had atleast one new problem every month

[@konyina]

@@bigbadbear2962 The 307 is a somewhat different story, however it still proved to be more reliable than it's competitors. Had my 306 since 2002, has around 300k miles, still works like a charm. Repainting it and fully restoring it this year, so that I can continue driving it without any problems.

[@martintolovski]

I disagree for the 306, it's still a beauty

[@campbellreither550]

Looking back now in 2020. The peugeot is gorgeous. Wish they still made them new!

[@pb5x5]

They are too over styled now.

[@julienbee3467]

@@pb5x5 and uninspired though

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

I love the Peugeot....it's a lovely car...drive of your life! 👌🚘 The top 165bhp 2.0 litre 6 speed is a beast! 😀😈

[@burkezillar]

My first car was a 306 1.9 XLdt. It was an amazing car, and to be honest I haven't had a car as good as it since. The only problem with it was the roll you'd get through corners. I owned a Honda Civic after (the one Rover used for the 400/45) and it was a revelation. It would sit squat to the road going round corners, so it magnified the roll the 306 had. And, lets be honest, the 306 is the best looking car out of those 3. It still is a good looking car as well.

[@MrSparklespring]

Maybe because of the heavy diesel engine. I've got a 1600 automatic with 15 inch wheels and 195/55 tires, no body roll at all and very stable in corners!

[@ericgeorge5483]

The Mk 1 Focus is brilliant even by today,s standards.

[@easydrive3662]

The MK1 focus is by far the best focus ever produced, even now the inside and out of the car looks great, I've had three of them and cannot fault it in any way!

[@BoschExxcel]

This would be such a difficult choice for me as the Mk1 Focus and 306 are two of my all time favourite cars! I'd have to have both.

[@Valdoy]

306 all the way :)

[@ilian903]

Valdoy2866™ I still have one

[@PWALPOCO]

Sadly just parted with a '99 306 TD. Had been solid, reliable, and great to drive but with dicey emission results in previous tests it was time to move on in a time of our choosing rather than wait to be forced to. With twelve years of fairly trouble free motoring that was a good £4.5k spend.

[@MrSparklespring]

@@ilian903 Me too! :)

[@ilian903]

MrSparklespring I don’t have it anymore😔. What a great car!

[@carlmarkwyatt]

Personally I think the 306 has aged the best.

[@jeff4362]

I think Focus

[@konyina]

Even tho I love the 306, honestly, the Focus looks better and much more fresh than it's rivals, it really feels like the younger cars, like the 307, Stilo, Golf 5 etc

[@geraldjaupaj]

Ford Focus MK1 is the best! He has the best design,the best shape,the best exterior,the best interior,the best performance 👍👏👏 etc

[@cxp7991]

I've owned all three. The Astra was my favourite. However, the 306 was fantastic in low speed corners since it really had a great chassis and the Focus was fantastic when it came to driving it hard since the whole car felt tight and sporty. But the Astra just felt right for me and I can't explain why even though the Focus is most probably the better car technically.

[@vargynja872]

This week i buy a peugeot 306😍 my first car ever

[@krisztian19910823]

Hi! I have also bought one just a month ago. What are your first experiences of 306? :)

[@joe-x3g]

Upsidedown and on fire...... Get your torsion bars looked at guys!

[@RecklessGenesis]

Better go for astra ;)

[@sevenseems4917]

20 years later, 306 still looks pretty and sleek... the other two are just fugly scrapyard materials these days

[@MrSparklespring]

I fully agree, quite timeless design!

[@joeyslats31]

It's amazing how well different cars age. Almost 20 years later the 306 still looks current compared to the Focus and the Astra.

[@Computercontrolled87]

Nop...

[@VHSTvRetro]

Peugeot 306 Start of production: -January 1993 Opel Astra II -1998 Ford Focus -1998 Peugeot is very older construction. Peugeot have very better diesel engines: 1,9D, 1,9 TD and HDI. Peugeot don't have corrosion. Poland.

[@autofreak7]

+VHSTvRetro Peugeot's have great diesel engines but only if they are fitted with a Bosch fuel pump. The ones with a Lucas pump were not as good.

[@utubeleplague]

And it was based on the ZX, a car from 1991. They were so good for their time.

[@MrRohanThomas]

Vauxhall have better reliability index than both Ford and Peugeot and Vauxhall is the top 3 best selling car brand in the UK

[@randisallah]

@@MrRohanThomas and yet in 2020 every new Vauxhall will now be a re-badged Peugeot 😂😂😂.

[@stanislavpavlov6311]

Driving pleasure in an Astra.-NO! In the 306-YEEES! Why do you think i bought one 20 years ago and i still have it. But someone maybe has a different opinion on the quality of the cars.

[@stanislavpavlov6311]

Aaaand I'm back. Whoa , it seems I was a bit rude to the Astra. I shouldn't have said that you can't enjoy a car like that. Very stupid of me to act like a 9 year old. Sorry Astra drivers :)

[@ilian903]

John West I agree with you

[@TheKenjoje]

exactly, I have 306. what does stupid bitch know anyway....I'm surprised he didn't mention poor space in the glovebox in 306....still, even if focus handles better, it rides much worse. that matters, too.

[@03Deltaintegrale]

Ah my first car was a 1999 £1000 Peugeot 1.4 meridian. Very comfortable ride and cheap maintenance.

[@XenonLxx]

Hammond is just a hater of Peugeot. Lo and behold, years later, the cars he hated are still on the road and are reliable as fuck. 1:0 for Peugeot. Loving my 206.

[@erdbeerschosch2839]

The cars he didnt hate are still on the road, too. And they look better on it.

[@1100HondaCB]

I drive a mk4 Astra 1.6 SXI and it handles pretty well and is a joy to drive. I find the interior to be useful and the overall build of the car to be solid. It's a Vauxhall so you get what you see and that's what I like about it. It's an honest useful and practical car. I drove a Focus once and I can say the interior, especially the dash looked cheap. I also have to say I don't like the appearance of the Focus and I believe the Astra is a far better car all round. The mk4 Astra sold literally in the million, nearly 4 million in fact.

[@WillMorgan89]

+1100HondaCB The Focus was the best-selling car in the world in 1999 through to 2004. It was elected Car of the Year in 1999, ahead of GM's new Astra model.

[@CalvinKrek]

+1100HondaCB I Agree. I had a 2002 model for almost 4 years and sold it quickly because it had a very good reputation in the used Market and mine was in a very good state. It was a CD model 2.0 petrol. I'm from Brazil and we miss when GM produced through Chevrolet brand, the Opel/Vauxhall models. Now they produces Korean derived models, or worse: Low cost models developed here over older platforms.

[@1100HondaCB]

Mr. Moon I remember the Daewoo Nexia of 1995 in the UK (based on the mk2 Astra). None left but I still see a few mk3 Astras of 1995 still driving around. We still have our mk4 Astra and it has given us 6 years of trouble free motoring and still going strong. My mum now has it and I told her not to get rid of it. I did 750 miles in one week with no trouble at all. Last of the good Vauxhalls and my brother even told me so as he is a mechanic.

[@tileng.5186]

Peugeot definitely! Today looks way better than the other two. And the dashboard is one of the best looking ever in its class (imho) .. piece of art

[@sharonec5419]

Your joking right. The dashboard in the 306 was terrible and looked old in the 90s so it's ancient now and terrible. Renault and Ford had much nicer more modern dashs in there cars in that class of the time.

[@tileng.5186]

@@sharonec5419to be honest, now all of them look old. Inside and outside. But still, Peugeot looks much more attractive than the other two. It aged way better, and yes, especially inside. Modern isn't always pretty, and old isn't always ugly. Is Jaguar E-type a terrible (looking) car? A BMW e30 from mid 80's, or an Alfa Romeo 155 from early 90's, compared to a '95 focus or astra look waaay better, even though they're older... But in the end, beauty is in the eye of a beholder. That's just my opinion, you can have yours. And no, I am not joking.

[@konyina]

@@sharonec5419Honestly, I never saw the argument that Peugeot's dashboard looked older than those found in rivals. The Pug's dash looks fresher than both the Astra and the Golf MKIV, and even moreso compared to the Golf MK3, which was it's key rival. It also feels quite youthful, as the three dials in the middle and the fact that it's slightly angled towards the driver give it everything but a bland feeling. The quality of it isn't the best, but it's not the worst either. The Focus does have a fresher looking dash indeed, there's no argument there.

[@gordonremsey8055]

My father used to own a 306 and he said it was a brilliant car, he only sold it as he got a Skoda Octavia years ago. And what's the big wow about the Astra though?? You Brits seem to love them while I just find them a bore. And don't say I'm full of shit because I've drove them and it is quick but it feels just slow. I felt half depressed getting out of one

[@rodrigomunoz6415]

The 306 is the best, maybe is'nt popular, but in performance and drive sensations, I believe is the best...

[@edwardtrickett1983]

Had a 52 reg black 1.6 litre 5 door Ford Focus lx Had it for 4 years, took it from 72,000 miles to 186,000 (family lived miles away and commuting to work also) It NEVER missed a beat, all it required was regular servicing Repair wise: Coil pack - £35 A common fault with the Focus, the internal wiring of the coil pack corrodes because the sealant fails, mine developed a worrying misfire when warm or when it rained, but a cheap OEM part fixed the problem Rear wiper motor - £30 Rear wiper motors seem to go on all cars, the part was from a newer car on eBay that was sold for spares (a crashed example) Rear fog lamp fitting - £20 The internal lamp earthing point had corroded beyond repair, it literally disintegrated, the seal had failed, a cheap replacement part solved the issue Otherwise it NEVER gave me any trouble I would have another one tomorrow!

[@SuperBobbster]

I can't stop thinking that this is how Alan Partridge would review a car.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I was going to get a golf mk 7 but I don't know how it compares to the handling and ride of the Focus mk1

[@ewaf88]

I love the Matrix style slider phone on the Astra Dashboard mount. Yep it really was 1999

[@DoubleCrossSword]

I miss my 306! Even though it caused me lots of problems: random stalls, broken sensors, auto gearbox rebuild, etc, I still think of it from time to time and wished I had kept it. Miss you poojet

[@amwap12]

Astra is a piece of unreliable shit with a chocolate engine.. Ford is a boring desperate act of mobility for those who have simply given up with life... The 306 is a good looking car it's aged well and has a massive fan base it's interior just makes the car the best in my opinion. Makes the car feel bigger and more solid than it really is

[@cameltoe1237]

The 306 and Focus are still on the road

[@ewaf88]

So is Richard according to the DVLA but I can't find any trace of the woman. Perhaps she was traded in

[@cameltoe1237]

Ha Ha, love it!

[@JohnJohnson-jm8ku]

306 looks beautiful. Astra and Focus haven't aged well.

[@conorf8091]

You are mental. Focus looks way better than 306! Each to their own I guess

[@sharonec5419]

Focus looks great still. Astra just looks old now and the Peugeot looked old back then and is ancient looking now. It was however lovely to drive as I drove one just a pity about the crap dashboard. A Megane made the Peaogeot looked ancient and showed how it should be done.

[@rodrigomunoz6415]

@@sharonec5419 Megane jajajaja, is a shit, the 306 chasis,simply the best of the time

[@CorpoPsycho]

Am I the only one that thinks the '98 Astra actually looks really cool and sporty?

[@autofreak7]

+von Habsburg No, I think the Astra looks the part. The interior was the best of the 3 as well with a better finish and quality feel.You can still see quite a lot of Mk4 Astra's on the road today, many more than 306's and quite a bit more than old Focus's

[@adamnutley600]

+autofreak7 the Astra's interior is awful. No style to it whatsoever. Even compared to the Peugeot's it's bland and devoid of any flair. I've been in a couple of them as taxis and felt depressed by the time i got out

[@1100HondaCB]

My mother has a 2001 mk4 Astra and has had it for 7 years. I have driven it all over the UK with no issues. My mother was going to swap it for a newer car but I told her not to as the Astra has proven itself many times. Great cars and better than the Focus and 306.

[@mattylamb9194]

I like the look of it too. Peugeot 306 is a good looker too. Focus isn's, in my opinion, (although a very good car dynamically)

[@80sfordman]

The Sierra & Focus designs were way ahead of their time. For example, the first generation Focus still looks good today as opposed to the 306 and the Astra which are both as dull as a dishwasher.

[@tylermcmh53]

I don't get it he said in other video he liked the look of focus now in this one he hates it I don't get it

[@RobBluth]

Tyler Mcmenaminhull I was thinking the same exact thing. He loved the Focus in a couple other videos.

[@xxcharley28xx]

She's really suggestive when she talks like when she described the Astra. 'It's solid' 😂

[@TheMarsMarine]

I love all 3 but I have a personal bias towards the Astra. My father bought an X reg (year 2000) Astra Estate 1.6 16v petrol in Jade Green, new. 23 years on I'm the second owner, it's never missed a beat, and there's plenty of life left in it. Funnily enough you'll still see a lot more Mk4 Astras than Mk1 Focus or 306s on the road now.

[@gustavosempre1]

Meu pai tem um peugeot 306 1.6 , o único problema é que no Brasil as peças desses carros são caras.

[@csandrade87]

Acho o 306 muito bonito até hoje!

[@thepizzahuttguy5650]

I like the Peugeot 306 or the Ford. Whichever I can buy I would

[@konyina]

I oen a 1.9 d 1998 Pug 306. And i have to say, this is kid of a draw. The Pug has by far the best Diesel engines on the market, and is pretty much the most comfortable car (followed closely by the Focus). The Focus is the most modern of the bunch, it is the best driver's car (followed closely by thr Pug) but has the worst engines by far. The Astra is the blandest hatch here, bland design, bland drive feeling, and it's lagging a bit behind the two in terms of options and equipment, but it's also the most reliable of thr bunch, having a good aray of diesels (but not as good as the Pugs) and, by far, the best petrols in the buisness. They all have ups and downs, and it really comes to preference. I would, personally, take the Pug, cause it has a very smooth ride, reliable diesels, and, personally, is thr best looking car of the bunch (my personal opinion). Conclusion: Petrol-Astra Diesel-Pug Style-Focus

[@squirrel6158]

ive the 306 :)

[@Peppermint1]

It's 2023 and to my eyes I would have no shame to be in a 306 - something I cannot say about those other two. The exterior design on the 306 still looks modern. It was perhaps the kind of "stealth" design - didn't look too punchy back then but it stands the test of time like no other. And that Focus interior was "too much" from the start

[@MM-lq4xf]

What's wrong with the dashboard? I love it 😍

[@MarcusTDM]

Strangely the most modern looking car here is also the one that looks the most dated now. The focus also looks cheap. The Mkii was such an improvement.

[@simonflorey5428]

Mark 2 Focus I think is the best Focus.

[@rrplanb4030]

Focus wins

[@q3b26]

What she was driving was not a Ghia...

[@accobra4272]

306 one of the best looking cars come out of Europe.

[@victorlicht6765]

well 2021 the astra aged best, and they are also the most reliabel atleast in Denmark.

[@arelortal6580]

0:08 "That you and I are most likely to buy" Come on Richard , you and I are NOT likely to buy the same car ! I own a MK2 1.8 petrol Mondeo

[@wahyupd465]

Aku tau nganggo, pancen penak tumpakane, banter playune, pokoke juwossss... 👍

[@sutherlandA1]

The focus looks the most striking but its very much a late 90s car, the astra bland but more timeless and the 306 the best compromise of the 2

[@minorearthmajorsky1476]

The mk4 Astra is still on the roads today whereas the 306 has disappeared and the mk1 focus is quite rare

[@jeff4362]

Mk1 Focus isn't any rarer than Astra, they're both about equal still on the roads. 306 though yes they've gone.

[@grahambenning4047]

@@jeff4362 Just bought a 1998 306 with 38000

[@julienbee3467]

@@grahambenning4047 do you like it ?

[@rrshowtime3900]

Focus all day, Every day... Anyone who says different is an idiot or a liar.

[@gordonmccoy4537]

Ford (FixOrRepairDaily).... As an American, I'd rather but European anytime. .. Peugeot wins, hands down...

[@FLABEX224]

The focus is European, it's and american brand but built in Germany, the reliability is much better than the Peugeot...

[@gordonmccoy4537]

OK - thanks for educating me!

[@stevenvancaenegem8022]

FLABEX224 The Focus was designed as a world car in co-op with Dearborne and was sold in the US as well as in Europe.

[@FLABEX224]

I know, but the Focus sold in the European market was different in some ways to the North American Focus, also the NA Focus was built in Michigan and Mexico, whereas the EU Focus was built in Germany and Spain. It was originally designed and marketed for Europe. There has also been recalls of the US version but not the European version.

[@astravauxhall9827]

Astra Vauxhall is best! hahaha!

[@richardjones9530]

He's hardly changed!!!

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I have an 03 Focus 2.3 L PZEV and love it.

[@gerardv.dgalien]

Miss my 306

[@chris-w4n9w]

Theres only one winner..............Ginny.

[@teatimetel174]

focus body galvanised?..dont think so.

[@MrRohanThomas]

It does a little, the MK2 Focus looks much better

[@si4632]

@@MrRohanThomas the mk2 is but ugly

[@Spridium1Jono]

i cant believe its 2001 already!

[@xXRETZZXx]

Internet explorer?

[@quirksandfeatures3215]

Tiny Richard Hammond

[@mrt2629]

Ford Focus is interesting as it will always break down and also rust!!!

[@jamesarendse9739]

Mine,1.6 EU model, has done 345000km no rust, had to replace engine because of my stupidity and has never broken down once in the 13 years. Will try and keep her for another 13. Recently replaced tie rod ends, brake rotors and serviced brake calipers. Replaced clutch once in that time, she may need a new one soon. O and I also service the window winder motors.

[@MrRohanThomas]

All brands had rust problems in the 90s

[@MrMineboy1999]

@@MrRohanThomas pug didnt to much

[@angelsoundy1298]

0:15 thats my dad car!!!! My dad have one exacly like that one

[@davidfos84]

The Astra drives better than the 306. Hahahaha.

[@astravauxhall9827]

Thanks! Enjoy the ride! hehe

[@matthewking5612]

0:44 Gibbon

[@rafaelk263]

Pretentious over elaborated wordiness. Are they selling some kind of "artistic' car journalism ? Ridiculous. It's like a cheap gossip magazine but for cars.

[@Dxniel470]

306 no smoke no poke

[@toadinthehole8085]

Richard Hammond in Chino's with his shirt tucked in , probably before he got married an his wife started dressing him WTF

[@mcatlow8]

The focus looks best by miles. Plus it’s most reliable.

[@SnickersTS]

Focus and 306 are great, Astra is boring vauxhall, at least the Zafiras explode.

[@rrplanb4030]

Astra's do not handle well at all. This woman is talking crap.

[@Wesley_C]

used compacts

[@herrgolf]

God Mark1 Focus was hideous. I'll take a 306, but I think the Astra is the most handsome. In the US, my best option is to find a Mk2 Jetta which isn't in terrible shape... where do you Europeans get the idea that VWs are durable?

[@benburkhardt1385]

herrgolf I actually like the New Edge design of the Mk1/first generation Ford Focus. It is the best of the New Edge design Ford IMHO. Plus these cars are good handling, fun cars to drive. I owned one. The Mk1 I find better than the Mk3 in so many ways. Actually, it easily beats the current class of C segment cars. The best are currently the current SkyActive Mazda3, Mk3 Focus, and Volkswagen Golf/Jetta/etc/Audi A3/etc IMHO.

[@CalvinKrek]

+herrgolf I'm not European, but Brazilian and here there's also an idea that VW cars are durable, and I agree. The same goes to the Chevrolet (Opel), Toyota and Honda models. I think is hard for you to find a Mk2 Jetta in a good shape probably because VWs sold almost nothing comparing to other mainstream brands like Chevy, Ford, Toyota and Honda. In Brazil and Europe, is the opposite.

[@herrgolf]

+M600 GLL I think they just play in a market with lower expectations of durability, but greater expectations of technology--that's how it appears to me, in the US, at least. I haven't seen Hondas and Toyotas, with a few notable exceptions, fall victim to as many flaws with regard to quality of sub-systems, as I've seen in European makes, but then dollar for dollar, I haven't seen many Japanese cars approach the same finesse in road manners and technology. Mazda does a good job of meeting both objectives, these days, and with the home market in Japan suffering, none of the Japanese makes are bringing over anything remotely advanced or exciting... but their cars still seem better tested and made from more closely monitored suppliers.

[@herrgolf]

+Ben Burkhardt Yes, 1st gen Focus was/is a very fun to drive car, no question.

[@CaptainDangeax]

VW makes a good communication to make people confuse apperent quality and real quality.

[@karelvvv]

And then the 307 came in, a beached whale!

[@xxrs2009]

Never liked the mk1 focus, looks like a clowns car with those round lines and sharp edges.. modern yes, but also hideous.

[@erdbeerschosch2839]

The 306 is the worst and the Focus the best

[@thelawminator]

Vauxhall simply has no class

[@teatimetel174]

richard wrong.

[@mharmonikas]

It's not vauxhell, it's opel!!! Opel Astra!

[@Victor-DOOM]

306 and astra yes. The car I hate more than anything is the ugly vile shit heap ford focus I've hated ford ever since that discusting scrap heap came out Ford's have just got worse and worse since .shame because I loved the cortina, Capri ,granada, xr2 ,Xr3, Sierra ,orion,

[@mediachannel8044]

But the astra is the most reliable of them All

[@xxcharley28xx]

She's really suggestive when she talks like when she described the Astra. 'It's solid' 😂

[@RecklessGenesis]

It is , i got the same car . Best i ever had xD I still think it beautifull aswell .