Ford Focus ST review

The Focus ST hatchback is more expensive to buy than the rival Hyundai i30N and Renault Megane RS. However, it is cheaper than an equivalent Honda Civic Type R. As for the estate version, it’s priced slightly above the rival Seat Leon ST Cupra and Skoda Octavia vRS Estate.

But while there may be cheaper alternatives, the ST comes incredibly well equipped as standard with 19in alloys, climate control, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and a heated steering wheel. 

You don’t buy something this powerful if you’re after world record fuel economy, but the petrol versions can officially manage an average of around 34mpg – acceptable but not brilliant, in other words. Meanwhile, the diesel versions claim around 50mpg.

As for safety, the Focus fared very well its Euro NCAP appraisal, scoring five stars. You get traffic sign recognition and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard, while blindspot monitoring is on the options list.

The latest Focus hasn’t been on sale that long, so was too new to feature in the 2018 What Car? Reliability Survey. However, Ford finished a middling 18th in the league table of 31 manufacturers.