2020 Ford Focus ST : One of Ford's great hot hatches?

The Ford Focus ST has always lived in the shadow of the more powerful RS model. Is that still the case with the latest, 2020 version? Dan Prosser finds out in this CarGurus UK review.

Pros
Enjoyable to drive
Ample room for tall passengers
Excellent Ecoboost petrol engines

Cons
Some rivals have bigger boots
Ford's new car warranty is short compared with those offered by Hyundai and Kia
Entry-level cars with torsion beam suspension aren't as good to drive

#cargurusuk #fordfocusst #fordfocus

[aidanwilson]

Really like the Focus ST, especially in that blue colour. Unlike some rivals, it is a great daily driver, much like the Golf which is rather dull & boring, looking much the same over the last 10 years, ( come on VW, stop playing safe with your designs, try to be more radical for a change ! ), by comparison the Focus is far more stylish & exciting to drive. Having said that i would still go for a Fiesta ST, even more fun & save around 10k !.

[spainter]

The new Focus is a great looking car in my opinion, the most well resolved design since the radical (at the time) Mk1.

[ChrisMisMYhandle]

Another great video Dan. I remember your first features when you joined the evo team. I feel like you've really established your own style now. These are some of my favourite and the most informative reviews out there.

[madtar]

Excellent review. I own one, and Dan sums up exactly how I would describe the car.

[jasonh]

Focus ST is a practical hot hatch. No point stating it still sits in the RS' shadow. They re aimed at too different customers

[elaxel]

The heavy steering is common in all Focus ST's, I had the Mk2 and I remember having to make an effort to turn the stwheel, while in japanese cars the steering wheel is smooth and effortless.

[Nakke]

Good video, but a strange opinion on this car. This absolutely murders a mk3 RS in the dry and feels much more responsive and agile imho, thanks to it's lighter curb weight.

[athollmcnicoll]

Looks okay but what happened to the shine? Prefer the Fiesta version.

[malcolmscott]

Great review Dan - ST brand diluted with ST line badging - should be an RS and so should Fiesta ST - Ford marketing just awful as lost nameplates like XR3, XR2 whilst other hot hatches maintained their monikers. Disappointing this model not a little more honed to take on RS300 and Golf GTI TCR for example

[danielleroux]

If Ford USA brings this Focus ST to the states, I'd buy one for sure!

[pauloutdoorsandmore]

Great looking car this in my opinion. Nice mix of performance yet it doesn’t look like it is shouting out its performance credentials which makes it appealing to drivers who want the performance but don’t want the look at me aspect. Also fords are great cars, reliable as, great smooth clutch and gears, great to drive and refreshingly modest!

[mikuelable]

Dan I subscribe because your an awesome reviewer

[kieran]

This to me is a family car. I’d love to have one in about 10 years when I plan to have kid(s) so hopefully that £32, 000 will drop a substantial bit 😬 It looks unreal and yes the interior is a bit plain, I don’t much care as sitting in those seats are incredibly comfortable. The touch screen doesn’t tickle my fancy but it will do. Just need them heated seats, big boot and an exhaust that doesn’t give off those stupid fake pops. They don’t sound real at all

[focusedman]

Could look a bit more aggressive, but looks OK.
Ford do make good drivers cars though.

[ZeonTec]

I really hate where the touchscreen is, I wish they went back to the old placement of it within the dashboard..

[davidappleyard]

Horrific depreciation will kill this for new car owners, looks good but Ford charging premium prices for sub standard materials is laughable

[troopoo]

I don’t know how you can call the touchscreen functional if you have to reach across to operate it while you’re driving. Touchscreen only Is one of the worst things to happen to modern cars

[amirweissbrot]

you actually say the opposite of every other reporter.
the ST does not swing its back like the fiesta or the RS?! are you serious? there is a full lap of this vehicle around the ring that on every corner it just drifts.
the focus ST turn in and swing its ass around every corner. more than the fiesta ST.
i got it that you don't like the ST, from the start till the end, but get your facts right. this focus and the last gen where a joy to drive, it feels heavier than the fiesta that has a wonderful lightness to it, but boy, what a chassis calibration the Focus has...

[delboy]

I switched off when he said starts at £31k

[decnijfkris]

Now look a Focus ST-line with minimal options already costs 28000 euros. That is too much for me. The line is not bad and inside it is a very pleasing car. Ford interiors are warm welcoming and the seats are premium. Also in tourer version but you see them RARELY on our roads. It also is definitely not a fleet car due to price. Sad to say but it is the price, fully convinced of the quality. A Fiesta with options is not cheap too. Maybe Ford decided to stop selling cars. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THOSE GUYS?The only interesting Ford today is the Mondeo.