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Ford Focus ST review

4 years ago

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Writer:

Andrew Frankel | Ti co-founder

Date:

14 April 2021

In as few as five years from now, I think we’re going to look back at the end of this decade and conclude that, for those who like fun, affordable cars relevant to everyday life, it was a golden era. And some of the best of them have been Fords. The problem for the Blue Oval, at least as I see it, is that they’ve all been Fiestas. The current and the previous STs are the among the best of the best.

Not so much the Focus. I’m probably in the minority, but I thought the last RS as overrated as it was overweight, and the ST just not exciting enough to fulfil the promise inherent within all fast Fords. So what, then, of the new ST, the first quick hatch derived from the latest generation of Focus? The bad news is four years ago you could buy an old ST for £23,595. This one? £31,995. They are bargains no more.

But more expensive and less powerful than the Honda Civic Type R though it is, the new ST impresses in ways the old car never could. The smooth and sonorous 2.3-litre engine is a gem, better even than the motor in the VW Golf R, hitherto the best available in this class. Its handling balance is superb, its traction and grip in poor weather good enough for you not to miss a heavy four-wheel drive system.

Its steering feels odd at parking speeds, the ride is decidedly firm and some aspects of the interior remain way off VW quality, but this is still the best fast Focus I’ve driven, probably since the second-generation RS, and once more a worthy fast Ford. Best in its class? Probably not, but it’s close enough for me to want to drive it back to back with the Civic and Golf to make sure. For the Focus, that’s real progress.

Ford Focus ST
Engine: 2261cc, 4-cyl, turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD
Power: 272bhp @ 5500rpm
Torque: 319lb ft @ 3000rpm
Weight: 1468kg
Power-to-weight ratio: 187bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 5.7 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Price: £31,995
Ti rating: 8/10
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