Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Ford Focus ST review

An imperfect hot hatchback, but one with appeal if you don’t mind some rough edges

Evo rating
Price
from £30,250
  • Balanced and neutral chassis; muscular performance
  • Engine lacks top-end sparkle; hyperactive steering

The Ford Focus ST has often had a tough time standing out amongst the midsize hot hatch crowd. In comparison to VW Golf GTIs, Honda Civic Type Rs and new-era rivals such as the Hyundai i30 N, it has never quite had the precision or intensity to compete, often leaving that to the more aggressive RS.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Without a current-generation RS to navigate, though, this fourth iteration of the Focus ST was given some serious firepower when it was released back in 2018, laying claim to a real hot hatchback that could finally compete in the premier league.

> Ford Fiesta ST review

But things have never quite come together for the current generation. There was a clumsiness to the driving experience, a lack of finesse and precision. And while the engine did the numbers on paper, its workhorse-like character lacked sparkle. The overall package was somewhat improved by the late Edition model, but it still never quite came together like the class best.

For 2022, Ford’s given the Focus range a refresh that’s carried across to the ST. Together with some updated styling and tech, there are a few other reasons why the updated ST might just have taken a few steps up the hot hatchback ladder, including an exciting new Track Pack option.

Ford Focus ST in detail

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Honda Civic Type R (FL5) review

Prices, specs and rivals

Ford’s updated Focus ST is available in two body styles and with two transmissions, but gone are the varying trim levels and diesel option. As such, a five-door starts at £36,950, with the auto raising the price to £38,400. The estate is also available with both transmissions, and costs from £38,350 and £39,700 respectively.

If this sounds like a lot for a Focus, you’d be right to think so, but to compensate all STs are very generously equipped, and it’s also worth remembering rivals have seen their own price rises. Highlights of its standard kit include 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers (hatchback only), a limited-slip differential and some very good sports seats that are heated and electrically adjustable. The recent updates also brought in some new Matrix LED headlights and a new infotainment system that we’ll get into later.

The aforementioned Track Pack included many of the same elements that made the previous ST Edition a definite improvement over the standard version. It costs a chunky £3000, but for that figure you get the same manually adjustable KW coilovers and flow-formed 19-inch alloy wheels, plus some new additions including a set of sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and Brembo four-piston brakes gripping larger 363mm discs on the front axle.

The ST’s closest rival in size is the Hyundai i30 N, which in its updated form is our favourite hot hatchback on sale right now. It’s perhaps the only hot hatchback in the class that has a favourable spec and price point to the Ford, starting at £35,110. It doesn’t compromise on kit, either, and comes with a far more impressive automatic transmission option in the excellent eight-speed dual-clutch ’box, which raises the price to £37,135.

If Hyundais aren’t your thing, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport costs from a more serious £41,890 and requires a dive into the options list to build an equivalent spec to that of even a basic ST. The Cupra Leon has identical hardware to the VW and will cost you from £38,495 in the lower of two trim variants, but it’s not quite as sharp to drive as the VW, let alone the Ford or Hyundai.

At the top of the current crop is the Honda Civic Type R. It's the most technically impressive and exciting hot hatch we've ever driven, with careful engineering enhancements over the already brilliant FK8 version, more attractive styling and a vastly improved interior. You certainly pay for the upgrades though, with prices starting at £49,995.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Focus ST

Ford Focus ST Track Pack 2023 review
Ford Focus ST Track Pack – front
Reviews

Ford Focus ST Track Pack 2023 review

A suite of upgrades sharpen the Ford Focus ST's already-capable formula, but it still lacks the outright engagement of some rivals
25 May 2023
New Ford Focus ST Track Pack lifts its game to rival Honda Civic Type R
Ford Focus ST Track Edition – front
News

New Ford Focus ST Track Pack lifts its game to rival Honda Civic Type R

The recently updated Focus ST has gained a new Track Pack option
26 Sep 2022
Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019 to date) review and buyer’s guide
Ford Focus ST Estate FF – static
Reviews

Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019 to date) review and buyer’s guide

The Focus ST is quick and entertaining, and while not a class leader it’s a great hot hatch all-rounder
4 Aug 2022
Skip advert
Advertisement
Refreshed 2022 Ford Focus ST revealed – key tech and styling updates incoming
Ford Focus ST facelift
News

Refreshed 2022 Ford Focus ST revealed – key tech and styling updates incoming

Ford’s fast Focus ST will pick up the same updates as the rest of the range, but does without chassis tweaks
14 Oct 2021
Ford Focus ST Edition revealed – tweaks aplenty for Ford’s Golf GTI rival
Ford Focus ST Edition – tracking
News

Ford Focus ST Edition revealed – tweaks aplenty for Ford’s Golf GTI rival

Following in the footsteps of the excellent Fiesta ST Edition, Ford’s applied the same idea to the larger Focus ST
24 Aug 2021
Mountune’s Ford Focus ST has more power than the old RS
Mountune Ford Focus ST m365
News

Mountune’s Ford Focus ST has more power than the old RS

UK Ford tuner Mountune has launched its latest upgrade kit for the Mk4 Focus ST
11 Aug 2021
Dreamscience Ford Focus ST review
Reviews

Dreamscience Ford Focus ST review

If your heart’s already set on a new Focus ST, Dreamscience’s tweaks offer a welcome improvement
13 Jun 2020
2019 Ford Focus ST pricing
Ford Focus ST estate 2019
News

2019 Ford Focus ST pricing

Fast Focus priced to compete with Honda Civic Type R and Golf GTI
16 May 2019
New Ford Focus ST spied testing
Ford Focus ST spy - front
News

New Ford Focus ST spied testing

The hottest of the new generation Focus models, till the RS arrives, should have what it takes to be a class leader
25 Oct 2018
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mountune boosts Ford Focus ST diesel
News

Mountune boosts Ford Focus ST diesel

Electronic tweaks lift power by 20bhp and 37lb ft
6 Aug 2018
Ford Focus ST review
Reviews

Ford Focus ST review

Quick, affordable and fun, but not perfect
9 Nov 2017
Skip advert
Advertisement
Should I keep my Ford Focus ST? – evo Market
Ford Focus ST
Advice

Should I keep my Ford Focus ST? – evo Market

If you can’t face selling your car, take a look at the latest options to upgrade and improve it instead
2 Aug 2016
271bhp for pumped-up Ford Focus ST Mountune
News

271bhp for pumped-up Ford Focus ST Mountune

Renowned Ford tuner turns its attention to Ford's Golf GTI rival
5 Oct 2015
New Ford Focus ST prices confirmed
Ford Focus ST at the Paris motor show
News

New Ford Focus ST prices confirmed

News, prices and specs for the updated Ford Focus ST, which now gets a diesel-powered variant
29 Oct 2014
Ford Focus ST buying guide
Ford Focus ST cornering shot
Advice

Ford Focus ST buying guide

Slightly overshadowed by the RS, the Focus ST is a fast and capable hatch in its own right. Here’s all the essential buying information
3 Apr 2013
Skip advert
Advertisement
Golf GTI vs Focus ST
VW Golf GTI vs Ford Focus ST
Group tests

Golf GTI vs Focus ST

With 247bhp and a newfound appetite for corners, the latest Ford Focus ST promises to be one of the most exciting hot hatches.
6 Feb 2013
Shelby Focus ST
Shelby Ford Focus ST at Detroit
News

Shelby Focus ST

Legendary American tuner Shelby gets its hands on the Ford Focus ST hot hatchback
16 Jan 2013
Ford Focus ST prices
Ford Focus ST prices
News

Ford Focus ST prices

Ford has announced prices and specifications for the new 246bhp Focus ST, on sale from £21,995
30 May 2012
New Ford Focus ST
Ford Focus ST estate
News

New Ford Focus ST

Ford has taken the wraps off the new Focus ST at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show
12 Sep 2011
Ford Focus ST revealed
New 2012 Ford Focus ST
News

Ford Focus ST revealed

The next generation Ford Focus ST has been announced, promising 250bhp from a 2.0-litre EcoBoost.
15 Sep 2010
New Ford Focus ST coming
New Ford Focus
News

New Ford Focus ST coming

Ford confirms a performance version of the all-new Focus hatchback. Expect a new ST for Paris show
25 Aug 2010
Skip advert
Advertisement
Focus ST v Mazda 3 MPS
Ford Focus ST Mountune v Mazda 3 MPS
Group tests

Focus ST v Mazda 3 MPS

The 256bhp Mazda 3 MPS is still one of the most potent hatchbacks around, and now its been updated to make it sharper than ever before
17 Nov 2009
Ford Focus ST v VW Golf GTI v Audi S3 v Vauxhall Astra VXR
Group tests

Ford Focus ST v VW Golf GTI v Audi S3 v Vauxhall Astra VXR

Think the Focus RS is pushing hatchback boundaries with its 300bhp? Think again. These tuned alternatives are much, much hotter
15 Apr 2009