Summary
The Ford Focus ST has long been the ‘sensible’ performance version of the mass-selling hatchback range, a true ‘hot hatch’ with extra potency but not quite to the outlandish standards of the Focus RS. The all-new fourth generation model launched in 2019 is no longer just a hot hatch – today the range includes an estate, a diesel engine and even an auto-gearbox version.
The basic recipe is the biggest engine – a 2.3-litre petrol of 280hp or 2.0-litre diesel of 190hp – and lots of additions to emphasise the sportiness. These include bespoke front and rear bumpers and grille, bigger spoilers, sporty suspension, Recaro seats, stainless steel scuff plates – you get the picture…
Generally testers like the ST – Auto Express dubs it “a terrific all-rounder, ranking among the very best hot hatches on the market”. However they add criticisms, mainly over the car’s expensive starting price.
Reviewers point out that rivals offer more power for less money, and better in-car technology, but where the Focus ST fights back is in its excellent handling, long a Ford plus point. Evo says that “with an entertaining chassis and punchy (yet controllable) power delivery, it’s become a much easier car to recommend.”
Ford claims bespoke styling for the Focus ST but testers disagree, Top Gear commenting that “the new Focus’s panels are too billowy for the road-sucking stance and taut purpose we want in a hot hatch.”
Top Gear is also less than impressed with the diesel, dubbing it “definitely the second-string powertrain” even if Ford pleads that it is more powerful and twice as torquey as the original Focus ST petrol engine. And several testers conclude that without bold visual styling the ST is “too normal most of the time”.
Along with the rest of the Ford Focus range, the ST is believed to be ending production in 2025 as Ford continues its move from fossil-fuelled cars to EVs.
As of February 2025, the Ford Focus ST holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 70%. It gets good grades for its media reviews, safety rating and low CO2 emissions, but its reliability record is only average and its running costs are high compared to most cars.
Focus ST highlights
- Potent performance
- Excellent handling
- Docile when pace not needed
- Improved quality and refinement
Focus ST lowlights
- Pricey
- Steering not natural
- Not visually aggressive enough
- Rivals offer better in-car tech
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £37,650 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Spring 2022
End of production due: 2025?
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST is neither the fastest nor the cheapest hot hatch, but it’s up there with the very best.” (Ellis Hyde)
Read review
Model reviewed: ST Track Pack (2023)
Score: 9 / 10
“The fourth generation Ford Focus ST isn’t the perfect hot hatchback, but the new Track Pack does wonders for its ride and handling.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Automatic 2022
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST offers outright performance and chassis composure blended so skilfully with accessible entertainment value that it remains a true benchmark among its competitors. Some rivals are quicker but more serious-feeling and sometimes less fun. Others are miles more powerful, with four-wheel drive, but manage to make such small marginal gains as a result. The Focus ST remains an enduringly appealing hot-hatch sweet spot.”
Read review
Model reviewed: ST Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“For fast Ford fans the Focus ST Edition is the pinnacle, and it’s a fitting send-off before a newly updated ST arrives shortly. It looks the part, and the extras give a subtle extra breadth of ability, with more comfort and control than the ST – but it’s not night and day.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Ford Focus ST Estate offers all the thrills of the standard hot hatch, but in a more practical package.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Line X
Score: 7 / 10
“Ford has given the Fiesta a thorough work over, equalling a car that heads to retirement at the top of its game. If you’re still thinking of getting one, this Fiesta ST remains deserving of serious consideration against more modern rivals.” (Martyn Collins)
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Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford’s efforts with the new Focus ST have largely paid off.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual ST Estate
Score: 8 / 10
“While a diesel estate might not seem the obvious choice for a sports model, this Focus ST makes a compelling case for itself with its mix of efficiency, performance and appealing styling.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST is one of the most exciting hot hatchbacks on sale but is no longer a cheap option when compared with its rivals.” (Andy Goodwin)
Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST Estate is just as good to drive as the hatchback but has a much bigger boot.” (Ben Custard)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Estate range
“If you’re looking for hot hatch pace, but aren’t prepared to give up estate space, the Ford Focus ST Estate is happy to help.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST is the quickest hot hatch Ford currently sells and it’s one of the most practical fast family cars around. Some less roomy alternatives are a little quicker, however.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual estate
“The Ford Focus ST looks great and makes an appealing case as an efficient performance diesel, but it can’t help feeling a little lukewarm compared with the full-fat petrol ST.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual estate
Score: 8 / 10
“For some, the Ford Focus ST is a bit too toned down, but not for me. You get bespoke front and rear bumpers, a rear spoiler, black 19-inch alloys and red brake calipers. Enough to make the ST stand out as special, but not so much as to attract unwanted attention.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“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.” (Jordan Katsianis)
Read review
Model reviewed: Focus ST Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“If a Focus ST is a must-buy, the Edition is an absolutely crucial upgrade, just don’t go expecting to outplay a Civic Type R or i30 N by doing so.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“The Focus ST is characterful, fast and capable: everything it needs to be to take on the class leaders.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The petrol Ford Focus ST hits 62mph in less than 6.0 seconds – half a second quicker than the old model, and potentially as fast as the Honda Civic Type R.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual hatchback
“The Focus ST has in recent years lived in the shadow of the smaller Fiesta ST, and we suspect it will continue to do so. It’s quick and good to drive, but there’s no shortage of cars that are quick and good to drive. The Focus ST is easy to live with, but keen drivers will find more excitement in rivals.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8.4 / 10
“If driving thrills are at the top of your list of priorities but you still need a thoroughly practical family car, the Ford Focus ST hot hatch is well worth a look. It’s got plenty of space inside for passengers, and the estate version offers extra boot space if the hatchback isn’t big enough.” (CJ Hubbard)
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The Scotsman
Score: 8 / 10
“As Ford prepares to discontinue the Focus, the latest ST honours the hot hatch ideal as a thrilling family car.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol Estate
“The ST estate is the best Focus ST I’ve yet driven and a fantastic fast family Ford. There’s no denying how brilliant that storming drivetrain is in a smart-looking machine like this, which can convincingly lap a track one minute and then heft a load of junk to the tip the next.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s hard to resist the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this souped-up Ford. You could use it as a daily driver then take it to a racing circuit. With performance that in some aspects surpasses the most recent Focus RS, the ST is an astonishing car with a terrific engine.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 7 / 10
“All told the Focus ST remains a quietly great all-rounder, but one that’s no longer a conspicuous bargain or the most rambunctious car in its class, which may mean it struggles to stand out from a talented crowd.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.3 276bhp
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s fantastic.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 72%
Safety assist: 75%
While the specific Ford Focus ST has not been tested by Euro NCAP, the overall Focus range was last tested in 2019 and the top five-star rating earned applies to all models. Testers praised the active safety systems while in the impact tests all scores were at least marked as ‘adequate’ and most ‘good’, with maximum scores in several areas
More safety recognition
- Thatcham Research rated the Ford Focus as one of the ten safest new cars for 2019
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2025, the Ford Focus ST has not yet been assessed by Green NCAP. If the Focus ST is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 827
Average repair cost: £669.73
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Ford Focus range, including the ST model, has a reasonable reliability score of 66%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers not just the current-model Focus, but previous models as well and all the powertrain options from entry-level diesels to top-spec ST and RS models, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking at a used car.
Of most concern is that engine problems are both the most common type of fault and also the most expensive, with an average repair bill of more than £1,200. Gearbox problems are also expensive and not uncommon.
The good is that other problems tend to be relatively inexpensive to repair. However, if you’re looking at a used Ford Focus ST then you should make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 34 mpg | D | 34 – 34 mpg | D – D |
Diesel models | 58 mpg | B | 50 – 63 mpg | A – B |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 183 g/km | C | 182 – 188 g/km | C – C |
Diesel models | 126 g/km | A | 110 – 148 g/km | A – B |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 27 | B | 27 – 27 | B – B |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £310 | C |
Year 2 | £758 | C |
Year 3 | £1,179 | C |
Year 4 | £1,391 | C |
Year 5 | £1,897 | C |
Overall | £5,535 | C |
The Ford Focus ST is a relatively expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy for petrol models is poor, while diesel models are notably better. This is mirrored in CO2 emissions, unsurprisingly. Insurance premiums are comparatively low, but service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership should be only middling – these have increased notably over the last 12 months, so Ford has clearly been bumping up its servicing prices…
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Ford Focus ST has received
2020
- DieselCar & EcoCar Awards – Best Hot Hatch
2019
- Top Gear Awards – Best Hot Hatch
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Hot Hatch
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Focus ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi RS 3 | BMW M135i | Cupra Leon | Honda Civic Type R | Hyundai i30 N | Mercedes-AMG A 35 | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works | Renault Megane RS | Skoda Octavia vRS | Toyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Golf GTI
There are so many hot hatch rivals to the Focus ST, challenging it on both aggressive performance and equally aggressive visuals. The most popular include the Honda Civic Type R, the Hyundai i30 N and the Renault Megane RS. Premium brands also get in the act, with the BMW M135i, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and Audi S3 to choose from.
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