Autocar

Ford Focus ST 170

- MAX ADAMS FELIX PAGE FP FP JAMES RUPPERT

To us at Autocar, a cool family hatchback is a Honda Civic Type R. No half measures were taken with the EP3, thanks to a screaming VTEC engine that makes 197bhp – proper performanc­e. It’s also pin-sharp to drive, and the 2003 one I’ve found seems to have been well looked after (despite its low price and high mileage) and even comes with fresh rubber all round.

Quite right too, but James did ask for a ‘family’ hatchback. That Type R is rather more commonly found at the shopping centre than on the school run. My delightful­ly subtle Ford Focus ST 170, on the other hand, achieves that coveted balance of performanc­e and usability. Plus it looks completely unremarkab­le to the average bystander, so the kids won’t be embarrasse­d to ride in the back, nor will they have to awkwardly contort to get in there, given the handy rear passenger doors.

Yawn. I think you’re making excuses for the fact that your Focus was little more than a stopgap at the time until the delayed RS arrived. Yes, it handles well, but mine is even better. And the extra 30bhp of the Type R and its quicker 0-62mph time will make up for any minor embarkatio­n delays.

So it’s pretty quick off the mark, eh? That’s nice, but it makes its 157,000-mile odo reading rather worrying: that’s potentiall­y a lot of clutch drops and handbrake turns. My 2002 car has done about half that, has a full service history and even features its original stereo – which yours, predictabl­y, doesn’t. And yours has a modified exhaust. James’s neighbours will hate him. I doubt he cares what they think, and CDS are so outdated.

Spoken like an angsty youth, rather than a sensible family man…

MA MA

I’ll focus on practicali­ty and take the five-door fast Ford.

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