The Ford Focus ST is neither the fastest nor the cheapest hot hatch, but it’s up there with the very bestFind your next car here Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...  From: Advertisement Over the years the Ford Focus ST has developed into a terrific all-rounder, and ranks among the very best hot hatches on the market right now. It’s not perfect of course, with a lofty starting price and a lack of practicality hindering the overall package, but many will see these shortcomings as a price worth paying for such a talented machine. And while others have moved the game on when it comes to tech, the latest Focus ST still comes with the very best stuff that Ford has to offer to keep it in the running. About the Ford Focus STNot long after the Mk4 Ford Focus was launched in 2018, the hot Focus ST version came bounding in with petrol and diesel engines. The former is a 276bhp 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit that shares components with the previous entry-level Ford Mustang’s powerplant, while the 187bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel was perfectly placed to take on hot diesel Octavia vRS and Golf GTD models from Skoda and Volkswagen. A recent facelift brought in refreshed front-end styling and additional interior technology. Ford also streamlined the range, removing the diesel engine – which isn’t a huge shock given UK buyers buy petrol hot hatchbacks in much higher numbers. More reviewsPrices start at around £35,000 for a manual petrol model, which may seem a lot, but is broadly on par with close rivals. Other hot hatches stand out by offering more power, or better in-car technology, however, so how does the Focus ST fight back? In a word, handling. Ford has found a sweet spot with the Focus chassis (as with the smaller Fiesta ST) that makes it come to life in a corner. The performance when you turn the wheel is truly breathtaking, so much so that you can almost feel the half a century of experience that the US manufacturer has behind it making sporty cars. As mentioned, competition is certainly fierce, with the Cupra Leon, Volkswagen Golf GTI and the impressive Hyundai i30 N all vying to snare keen drivers. More upmarket offerings include the BMW M135i and Mercedes-AMG A35. You could also consider used examples of the aggressive Honda Civic Type R or the entertaining Renault Megane RS . In addition to the five-door hatch bodystyle, there’s also the Ford Focus ST estate version offering more load-lugging capacity to go with the driving fun. Both the hatch and estate petrol models are front-wheel drive and offer 0-62mph times under six seconds. The diesel is able to dispatch the same sprint in around 7.6 seconds. The ST Edition model offers an even sharper hot hatch experience, with upgraded suspension and adjustable dampers helping to raise the ST to another level. Extras such as lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels and cosmetic touches such as light blue stitching on the steering wheel and part-leather Recaro seats add a little individuality. However, none of these come cheap, especially now the least expensive version (the diesel) has disappeared from price lists. The estate costs an additional £1,400 over the hatchback, and an automatic gearbox is available for a similar price again. By comparison, the i30 N starts at roughly £1,000 less, while the Cupra Leon is a fraction dearer in top-spec guise but offers more power and performance than the ST. Standard kit on all Focus ST versions is impressive with eye-catching 19-inch alloy wheels in a dark-grey finish, LED headlights and taillights, sports seats and keyless entry. Solid Race Red paint is a no-cost option, with several other colours available from Ford’s Premium and Exclusive ranges. If you're looking to buy a Ford Focus ST, why not visit our sister site buyacar.co.uk for the latest deals... Next Steps In this review
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