Ford Focus RS

Our verdict

The best handling front-wheel-drive hot hatch in the world. Pretty good then.

Comfort

OK, so this isn't the kind of car that'll soothe a broken back because the ride can get fairly nibbly, but it's not half bad considering the performance potential. Heavy clutch is pretty much offset by an easy gearbox (nicked from the ST) and general familiarity - it's ‘just a Focus' in a lot of ways. That Volvo five-pot has a fantastic spread of torque and you can cruise quite easily, and the seats feel upright, but are pretty comfy over distance.   

Performance

Oh yes. There's 300hp on tap from 2.5 litres and five-cylinders, though it's the mid-range and general useable grunt that's the impressive bit. Still, 0-62mph in under six seconds and 160+mph top speed isn't half bad for a hot hatch. The torque is the key. The RS has plenty in the right places - third gear overtakes are a wonder. 

Cool

Let's be honest, when you're in the mood, the wide arches, turbo chatter and big wing can be brilliant fun. But it can also be a bit vulgar. It's a wee bit boy racer, appeals to the younger crowd and in the wrong colour can feel a bit desperate for attention. But when you realise that it has the mouth to match the trousers, it all ceases to matter.  

Quality

The money was spent making the Focus RS go faster, so there's not much to write home about in terms of interior special-ness. Then again, there's not that much wrong with a stock Focus - it's just that some blue bits, a couple of boost gauges and rally seats do not the height of chic make. It hangs together well enough and doesn't squeak. Really, who cares when you can go this fast for £25k? 

Handling

Sublime, but you'll have to get used to the RS's driving style. The new version of the torque-vectoring diff works so much better than the old car's, and it's a real surprise that you can actually access that 300bp for 85 per cent of the time, even on a bumpy road. Flat, hard, great brakes; the RS loves to be thrashed. It demands that you drive it hard and then revels in it - a proper driver's car. 

Practicality

Actually, when all's said and done, it's just a two-door Focus. So there's plenty of room, even though getting into the back seats is a bit of a pain with the front seats taking up so much space. Boot's good though (Focus-sized!)... and, er.  

Running costs

Since testing the RS we've discovered that it actually records higher mpg figures than the lower-powered ST. So expect over 30 on a run and early twenties in town, with teens when you thrash it. There's a year-long waiting list, so residuals are set to be high, and insurance is somewhere just under the stratosphere. It'll probably eat front tyres too - and at a couple of hundred quid a hoop for the good stuff, that's worth noting.