Ford Focus ST

Our verdict

A flawed but emotionally charged hot-hatch. It’s 2.5-litre turbocharged Volvo engine is an angry, thirsty bugger that delivers like a body blow you weren’t braced for. We love this car, even if we wouldn’t buy one.

Comfort

Despite a fairly bellicose engine and firmer ride in ST form, the Ford’s halo hatch remains a very civilised affair when it needs to be, just so long as you haven’t opted for the orange upholstery inserts.

Performance

Peak power at 222bhp is less of draw for the ST than its 236lb ft of torque, making it a rapid but serenely relaxed hot hatch. Unlike Honda’s Civic Type R that requires a regular neck wringing, the beefy, lazy 2.5T delivers throughout the rev range.

Cool

The Focus ST is far too steak and kidney pie to be cool, but delete all those ridiculous stick-on body decals and get it in an understated colour and you’ll be on your way.

Quality

A slightly incongruous mix of really posh materials and pretty damn cheap ones, the Focus is nonetheless very well made. This second generation car has plenty of Germanic feel in the touch points and will surely last.

Handling

The standard Focus handles like a dream, and firmed up for ST duties it’s even better. The car is composed and controllable at all times, encouraging to push it to its generous and well-telegraphed limits.

Practicality

The Focus is right up there. It’s one of the widest cars in its class, meaning there’s masses of shoulder room for rear passengers and a general sense of space throughout the cabin. At 385-litres the boot is also rather more substantial than most.

Running costs

Against the Golf GTI, the Focus ST looks cheap, but then it goes and gets undercut by the excellent Civic Type R. Fuel economy isn’t the best either with that larger capacity engine gurgling away.