Join me as I check out Ford's 2014 Focus ST hot hatch. We'll talk about the Focus, the 2013 Volkswagen GTI and the rumoured Mazdaspeed3. Statistics powered by ChannelMeter channelmeter.com
Other reviewers (especially dealers) should take not on how this guy does reviews. When you're looking to buy a car, this is the kind of stuff you want to know. Excellent work Alex.
Our 2014 Tangerine Scream (with the racing stripes) Focus ST is slightly different. The driver's seat is powered and both front seats are heated which is very nice up here in the Great White North. The steering wheel does not have the buttons at the 4 o'clock position. Those functions are contained in the buttons at the 3 o'clock position. And we have a full sized steel rim spare with a Continental? tire mounted on it in the back, not a donut spare. The Goodyear F1 mounted Y spokes are stored away for the winter with steel rimmed winter tires underneath the ST.
Love the reviews! I'd love to see you get your hands on the CLA 250 Mercedes! I went to the dealer yesterday and that violet color captivated me! It's as sexy as the new Mazda 3 and 6
Just a truth in advertising thing here. That is NOT a 2014 ST. It is a early build 2013 evidenced by the silver clading on the intake piping. Early builds had this. Later builds in late 2012 eliminated the clading because they were coming off of customer cars. Also the steering wheel has symetrical buttons on it. In 2014 they elimiated the right hand lower buttons from the wheel and incorporated those functions on other buttons. I have 2 2013 ST's one built in Feb 2013 and one in April 2013 and neither has the silver intake clading
I love this car. I have been looking at cars for about 6 months now and I keep coming back to this one. Now they're talking about the RS coming out, so I guess I have to hold out a little longer.
@@dielog2211 : Still using the original clutch with 111K. I added a Pro Alloy intercooler, Mountune intake and catback exhaust, a 91 octane tune, Ford track springs (just 1/2 inch drop), a Quaife LSD and Powerstop Z-23 front rotors and pads (highly recommend) and a few other little trinkets. 263 hp. at the wheel with 326 ftlbs of torque. All I’ve done is change fluids frequently, two batteries, tires and the front brakes. Everything works like it came from the factory.
@@charlesjames1442 sounds so reliable to me enough to actually get one..three more days i would actually get to test drive a used focus st 2014 but i wonder what should i looking for before buy it
@@dielog2211: Abuse destroys all cars. Leaks, rattles, feels like it’s coming apart. Looks uncared for in and out. These cars are getting elderly and rough treatment, lack of maintenance will show. A garaged car is a plus.
Hi Alex. I just want to let you know about the hood and bumper spacing is adjustable to narrow the tolerance. It isn't to for cooling. My 2013 Ford Focus ST is exactly the same as the 2014 model except for the options of on the wheels, brake and pin strips. The car has 252 HP and 270 TQ at 2500 RPM not 247 HP and 266 TQ at 1500 RPM.
I am slowly working myself in that direction. 2013 brought one new Canon CX20 camera and 2014 will bring a second. I haven't quite decided if I should try a Black Magic or not. Next comes a more regimented approach to shooting, verifying, then re-shooting footage.
Funny you should mention the grill...its actually a major hurdle to this car for me. The rest of the car is attractive among other hatch styles. Speaking of hatches, the Scion tC latchback design is beautiful and I wish it was incorporated into many other cars today. I know of none. Its a design that was used alot in the 80s but it would be so useful to me now. Im glad to have a good manual trans option to consider in this Focus. Thanks for your reviews!
Interesting question. I have not had a chance to drive the Fiesta ST yet but I can say that the Fiesta's interior is notably more cramped and it does feel cheaper than the Focus. Arm rests are smaller, there is more hard plastic and the LCD infotainment system is a 6.5 inch version of the Focus' 8 inch system. Performance is also scaled down but the Fiesta is still fun in a small package.
im not sure if this was brought up before but almost all focus back seats fold up or come out quite easily and the back folds down just an fyi if no one knew ( 2003 focus back seats have a bar attached to it and fold up hugging the front seats 2009 focus come out and can be placed in the same spot or taken out for more room if needed again just an fyi) i could be wrong on this for the ST but assuming its been in a focus back in 2003 and again in the 09 .. only one can assume they would keep that feature
Kiran Balegar Both cars are pretty amazing. Fuel economy is in favor of the ST. Drive train is in favor of the STi due to AWD I find the ST a bit more stylish (Personal taste) ST technology is way ahead of Subaru technology (You can wait for Sync 3 in the 2016 model year, way faster performance over MFT) ST has a larger trunk due to it being a hatchback. I've never been in either car so I'm unable to give my opinion on driving dynamics between the two. I'd definitely wait till 2016 to buy the ST, I really want Sync 3 instead of My Ford Touch.
I test drove a 2017 st and it handles amazing...oh that turn in! I havent driven a wrx but my brother has one and loved it. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one. I would think the st interior is more refined
One other point, you mention the rear seats do not fold flat, and I noticed you did not pull the seat cushions up to the forward position, prior to lowering the seat back. Does the North American Focus ST not offer this function or did you over look that in your time with the ST? Example media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/focus-st/2013/lt/2013_ford_focus-st_crg_lt_12813_600.jpg
It's not a vent and the gap can be adjusted to the same tolerance as the rest of the car. I have adjusted my ST when I got it. There are two bumpers springs under the hood that are easy to adjust.
No additional room in the rear according to the numbers. 2014 is misty limited to the new CTV, new radios and a new interior for the coupe. (The coupe didn't get the same refresh as the sedan did in 2013.)
Nissan does lend them I am told however they do not have any in their fleets near me so I would have to fly somewhere at my own expense to get in one. I don't think it would be worth it at this time. I have driven one and it is just as insane as everyone says.
Alex, excellent review as always. I looked carefully at the ST before purchasing my MK6 GTI last spring and was impressed but not swayed enough to go for it for several reasons. A bit too boy racer for me. Of course, the vehicle is available in colors other than "tangerine scream" that Ford has made available to virtually all journalists but even discounting that I decided that five years down the road the GTI would retain its classic looks while the ST would look like a five year old car. Of course, some may say the GTI already looks like a five year old car, so YMMV. It's true that even though VW traditionally underrates its engines, the ST has more oomph in both HP and torque than the GTI. That gap disappears, however, with stage 1 tuning of the GTI. Furthermore, for real world city driving I much preferred the GTI's dimensions and much smaller turning radius to the ST. Overall, I just found the GTI a more balanced package in terms of power and handling. On a more practical (daily driver) level there were a couple of deal breakers for me in the ST. As you note, the back seat of the ST while not an afterthought is not nearly as accommodating as the GTI. The GTI's enormous interior (for the class) as well as its more upscale appointments were a strong selling point for a daily driver. It's true that the ST has some features the GTI lacks but the overall fit/finish is far better. Finally, in my case, I had to have an AT so my wife could drive in Seattle rush hour traffic. The wonderful dual clutch transmission in the GTI enables me to drive it like a manual while my wife can use it in place of our gas guzzling CUV. I can certainly understand why Ford limited the ST to a manual transmission choice but even after owning MT vehicles for 50 years, I find it don't miss it in the least. All in all, I think Ford did a great job with the ST and in several ways it outpoints the MKVI GTI (though not for me). I don't think that will be true with the MKVII when it arrives in the US later this year but the fact that there is significant competition in this segment is heartening.
Why no mention of the ST's three modes of ESP to choose from? These can be selected according to weather and road conditions or simply to match the driver’s desire for help from additional driving aids. In the first instance the ESP works much the same way as the innovative system found in the base model Focus, although for the ST it is tuned to be non-intrusive to the driver. This standard mode supports the driver on all surfaces, whether dry, wet or snowy, giving them the confidence to drive safely no matter what the weather. The driver can opt to select the second mode, called reduced or wide-slip mode, in which the traction control is turned off. Traction is handled by the driver here, while the ESP is programmed to intrude only as absolutely necessary. Of course, the ESP system can also be switched off completely resulting in the Focus ST in its purest form, giving full control of the sublime chassis to the driver when is a position to exploit it, such as on a race track. Only the sub-features such as the Enhanced Dynamic Cornering Control (EDCC) remain active
Trailgnome adventures you are correct. The gti states wheel horsepower and they tend to underate. For states crank horsepower. Really they are neck and neck zero to sixty. Both great hot hatches I'm still torn between which one to get. I test drove a 2017 st and the turn in is amazing.
Turbo delay or lag this is weird I like focus and planning to buy one when 2015 come but thus turbo issue making me not comfortable I don't want get turbo charged ride and turbo Is sick means losing hp
Have you tried out the Fiesta ST yet? I've driven both the Focus ST and Fiesta ST, and I have to say I like the Fiesta ST a lot better than it's Focus counterpart. Despite the smaller engine and lighter profile, the Fiesta ST is a bit better experience. It handles better than the Focus ST due to its lighter profile in my opinion. If you haven't tried it yet, you should. I think you might like it better.
Alex on Autos Why the need to pursue the negative angle of rear seat space? If you feel the need for that then why not the opposite angle of having a 5'10" passenger? :-)
Carl Warmington It's really just response to reader and viewer requests. Folks wanted to know how well people can fit behind taller folks up front so that's what I give them.
Alex on Autos Your way of measuring the back seat leg room is very appreciated since it gives people a better idea of what the worst case would be. Too many other reviewers use the "average" case, but it almost never reveals any problem. Keep up the good work!
The Ford-Focus St I drove a few hours ago, looked WWAAYYYY better than this 2014 model. Even the steering wheel control buttons looks very remedial than the one I saw. Also, the front and back rear bumper looked nothing like this!! This guy probably received one of the very first models for him to review. I think he reviewed the 2013 model!!
You're right, Ford revised the power numbers after the ST was launched. They initially reported it as 247/266 and later changed it to 252/270 after further testing.
Yes it is. Ford released two sets of numbers, the numbers in this video and then an updated set. I am told that the lower numbers are when run on 87 octane and 252 is when you are running on Premium. Ford has since updated most of their on-line materials but you can still find the lower number on Ford's original press releases.
Alex on Autos Love your reviews, Alex, but, alas, every time I watch them I get misty for all those wonderful roads hiding in hills around the Bay Area. Color me envious now in my 7th year in flat SE Texas.
Helpful review . My , you can talk . Drop the amused and amusing comments . They don't come across very well , for you . Still a very good job . Thanks
The rear seats WILL fold flat. You have to flip the seat-bottoms up and forward, then remove the headrests from the seat-backs and the seat-backs will then fold flat. Yes it's a pain in the @$$, but it can be done.
I'm curious why the mini cooper s is usually left out of comparisons with cars like the Focus ST, VW GTI, and Fiat 500. As far as fun factor, the cooper at least matches or beats most hot hatches. It's not the fastest or quickest hatchback, but it's got a ton of character, while still being more refined than the Fiat 500 in my opinion.
The front of the car is awful. It really reminds me of a fish. The rest of the car isn't that great looking either, and I hate what ford is doing with their cars now. I loved my best friends 2010 Fusion but we got into an accident on Friday and I'm almost sure the car is totaled (airbags deployed) but thankfully everyone was fine.
SO many factual errors in this review. Spare tire is NOT a donut, it is a full size tire at 215/55/16. Door inserts are NOT soft touch plastic, they are FABRIC. Side vents DO CLOSE when you slide them all the way down. The suspension went under significant changes from the base focus with revised spring rates, steering knuckles, stabilizer bars (front and rear), control arms, bushings and rear stabilizer mounting points in addition to the revised dampers. AND SHUT UP ABOUT OTHER CARS IN REVIEWS. Hot damn you talk about the GTI nearly as much as the focus in this review! Thumbs down, will not watch again.
the st may have more power but is ugly as fuck...i dont know how they can design such a bad looking car...i think it cant compete with th golf7 gti which is years ahead on every aspect...
