This is the new generation Ford Focus ST, unfortunately there’s not going to be a new generation Focus RS any time soon but with the Focus ST we get the Mustang’s 2.3 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine blasting away with 206 kilowatts and 420Nm of torque.
Special mention : Driving it on long winding, sweeping, scenic roads is peak hot hatchback. The exhaust notes are perfect and really add to the drama.
Needs work : Digital displays are simplistic, graphics could do with an update. It’s big and heavy with lots of torque steer for a hatchback.
Specs: As tested
| Max Power 280 PS | Petrol / Manual |
| 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds | Road Tax €750 |
Price €46,460.00 | Boot 375 litres |
All of that grunt, power and torque goes through the front wheels with a bit of torque steer fed back through a sporty flat bottomed steering wheel. There’s a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed auto as well as Diesel, Petrol and a brilliant looking estate. Maybe ordering an automatic Focus ST goes against what it’s really about but nowadays in built up suburban areas, it has really become a necessity. For the last couple of generations it’s always been a manual only but now there’s an auto which makes it more usable as a daily driver for a lot of people. I love the manual, the fact that you can take matters in to your own hands is still a joy, the transmission is very short shifting & involving and the clutch has a good weight to it. Where it really comes to life is out on the open road, on long twisty, winding back roads, especially those you find on the south coast of Ireland.
The 2.3 litre engine has a lot of pulling power across a broad torque range and is easily accessible, when you’re mid corner you can feel the torque go to the wheel with the most grip and then again as it pushes on out of the corner on the far side. It‘s very involving to steer which is one of the things that makes the Focus ST special.
The steering is excellent, it’s super precise, sharp and now there are different drive modes. You’ve got Normal for your daily driving, Slippery which will help you gain better traction, then there’s Sport mode which sharpens things up, gives you a little bit more steering response, a little more throttle response, more noise and a sharper ride. Withthe added Performance Pack, there comes Race mode which shouldn’t be used on a public road because it disables some of the safety systems and makes things even more aggressive. The ride gets firmer depending on the mode you’re in but normal mode is fine for daily use. If you can’t deal with a firm ride, may I interest you in a comfy Citroen C4 perhaps?
The Performance Pack takes things a step further, adding a limited-slip diff and continuously adjustable suspension. The steering can make the Focus ST feel a little nervous on back roads, it makes the driver work at getting a groove before truly gelling with the the ST. It is however worth the work.
The Focus has tight Recaro sports seats which really hug you around the waist. They aren’t quite as narrow as the previous generation, these are a little bit more accommodating although the seat base is quite hard which is good for when you’re driving enthusiastically.
Renault’s Megan RS is as driver focused as the Ford, a result of how it’s set up, but it isn’t very practical as a daily driver where the Focus ST has slightly more practicality on its side. In the Focus there’s 375 litres of boot space, there’s also an excellent looking Focus St Estate with over 600 litres if you need more space. The rear bench is good with plenty of room behind the driver, decent head room and lots of space in the footwell. Also if you have children, there are dual ISOFIX points and three tether points. So it’s a practical option in the back if you need a car that has a decent sized back seat with soft lined big door pockets and a flip-down armrest with cup holders. There are no USB points or air vents in the back and the materials up front are a little more plush.
You’ve got soft padding on top of the centre console bin which has a little tray in it and a USB port which is handy if you want to run a USB to the rear. There’s a second USB port up front and there’s also a storage tray which you could use for your phone / keys / wallet whatever it may be. There’s also wireless charging available for your phone which is very handy and there’s also a pair of adjustable cup holders between the seats. There are bottle holders in each of the doors and it’s pretty well sorted generally in terms of the ergonomics in the front of the cabin.
As for infotainment, it’s got an 8” touch screen running the latest version of Ford’s Synch system. It links up to AppleCarPlay or Android Auto, has sat-nav, DAB radio and you can also control the ambient lighting in the cabin. There’s another digital dash in front of the driver with your digital speedo and trip computer. There are also analogue dials either side of the dash which could do with a refresh. Best of all it’s got a flat-bottom steering wheel. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is standard on every Focus ST and it comes well stocked with safety equipment.
While the Ford definitely delivers driving thrills, it’s not as versatile as some rivals. To really get the most out of it, it needs to be run out on the wide open road as often as possible. You can drive it in the city as a manual but I wouldn’t recommend doing this long term. Ford has an immense and enviable legacy of building great hot hatches, but how much longer will we get to enjoy this ever increasing niche range of cars?