Ford Focus ST
Blue Oval’s latest performance hatch aims to take class crown
ON the face of things, Ford’s £31,995 Focus ST looks a little pricey compared with its rivals. However, as we’ll see, it has the ability to back up this tag, while finance deals make it more affordable.
Design & engineering
FORD’S Focus purposes is C2 based of platform a hot is perfectly hatch. on which That’s suited because the for the while the
ST uses MacPherson struts for its front suspension like pretty much every car in this class (and its rivals in this test), it has a multi-link rear axle. But then, so do both the Honda and the Hyundai.
The Ford shares plenty more in its approach to going fast with its two rivals as well, as it gets adaptive dampers as standard, and a limited-slip differential. Rather than a purely mechanical diff like the Civic, the Focus follows the i30 with an electronically controlled unit. That means you can change how aggressively it works to help agility and traction.
For the first time in a Focus ST, there are drive modes that change parameters such as throttle response and the noise the electronic sound enhancement makes to augment the engine’s soundtrack. Go for our test car’s £250 Performance Pack, and you also get launch control and rev matching for downshifts, plus an extra Track driving mode. All of the driver settings change the window of operation in which the adaptive dampers work, and Track is the most aggressive for the damping and engine.
The 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo is an evolution of the previous Focus RS engine, although here it doesn’t make as much power, at 276bhp. However, that extra displacement over its rivals means it has the most torque, with 420Nm. There’s also an anti-lag function that helps to keep the turbo spinning to boost throttle response.
Of course, any practical and affordable performance car such as this has to deliver more than merely engineering tech. These cars will be used daily, so a decent level of kit is important, too.
There’s only one ST trim, which features great heated part-leather Recaro sports seats, climate and cruise control, parking sensors, keyless operation and LED lights – but so it should for the price. It’s £1,555 less than the Honda, yet the Ford gets a lot less power (albeit similar kit) and is £2,500 more expensive than the Hyundai, which is slightly less powerful and boasts just as much tech.
Driving
ability FORD Performance to make its cars is known drive for its and it’s turned the standard Focus – which is already a good driver’s car – into an incredibly capable one with the ST.
The chassis is at the centre of the car’s ability. There is a high level of grip courtesy of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, and in Sport or Track mode the adaptive dampers control the body brilliantly, keeping composure in quick corners and adding a sweet level of subtle adjustability that’s been engineered into the package. The ST loves to turn tighter with a little mid-corner lift of the throttle, boosting confidence.
The steering is typically fast Ford; quick and a bit squidgy. Sometimes the Focus is so eager to turn that
it feels a little too alert, but you’ll welcome this darty turn-in when you start to push the pace.
There’s plenty of that, thanks to the engine. It’s not the most characterful unit, blaring loudly and exhibiting an artificial electronically enhanced note at high revs, but at least the pops from the exhaust are authentic and add some personality.
Our 5.9-second 0-60mph sprint matched the Honda’s and beat the Hyundai’s by 0.4 seconds. However, the i30 N was quicker in gear than the ST, so despite that extra torque the Ford’s weight counted against it. There’s more than enough grunt, though.
The six-speed gearbox is fine, and while the suspension is firm even in Normal mode, the damping quality is great, and closer to the Honda’s than the Hyundai’s. You do get jiggled about, but the dampers absorb a lot of imperfections smoothly. Sport and Track are firmer, though, and the range of ability isn’t as wide as the Honda’s, so it’s not as comfortable.
Practicality
WITH a 378-litre boot the Focus has the least practicality, but not by much. The Hyundai offers only three litres more, while rear space is similar, too. However, the Honda is much further ahead in both respects. There’s still enough room in the Ford for most occasions, though, (including for luggage), while cabin storage is good.
Practicality drawbacks come in other forms, such as manoeuvrability. The steering is fast but there’s not much lock, even though the ST has the tightest turning circle here. Tight turns will need a few bites, but parking sensors and a camera are included.
Ownership
THE brand’s result in our Driver Power owner-satisfaction survey just slipped behind Hyundai in 23rd, but it trailed
Honda by some margin. The ST gets a lot of standard safety tech, with AEB and lane-keep assist helping it achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating to match its rivals. All three cars have performance brakes.
Running costs
IF you’re thinking of running a hot hatch as a business user, the ST splits its rivals for company car tax contributions. There’s not much difference in CO2 emissions – the Type R and i30 N emit 178g/km, the ST 179g/km – so they all sit in the top 37 per cent Benefit-in-Kind band.
That means the decision comes down to list price. The most expensive Honda will therefore cost higher-rate earners £4,831 a year in BiK, the Ford £4,601 and the Hyundai £4,231.