As promised, here’s part 2 - The bit you all want to see!haha. What are your thoughts on this car?! Big thank you to TC Harrison Ford Peterborough for the loan car - it’s available to test drive today! www.tch.co.uk
Loved this review. Thank you. I've traded my pre face lift Focus mk3 ST (which was my first Ford after 25 yrs driving) for one with Performance Pack (awaiting delivery), after test driving an i30N, Golf R and Megane Trophy. Watching all the reviews of the i30N, i was sure it was what I'd buy, but i was very disappointed with the car I was loaned for a weekend. The engine has about 70nm less than the new ST, and marginally less than my current mk3 ST and it really felt it, it's an ancient unit. The road noise was too much, the wheel hop was terrible and the ride quality even in Normal mode was very crashy (Hyundai are fitting 2020 i30Ns with revised front suspension to fix this). Not a horrible car at all, but certainly not all the reviews crack it up to be. Interior isn't good either, not that ST interior is mega, but i30n is worse. Golf R is awesomely fast and easy to live with, but I just found it too boring, and the Haldex AWD numbs any excitement Megane Trophy. Wow. Most fun I've had on a test drive. It's an absolute blast. But, the engine is abit laggy (could live with that), however the ride quality I couldn't live with, it's far too firm and bouncy, it's just terrible as a 365 day car with regular passengers. Shame it didn't have adaptive dampers. It's also way way more expensive where I live. Anyway, this is probably the first video I've seen of the car getting abit of a trash in 2nd/3rd gear from someone that Ford didn't fly to the South of France to say nice things about the car!! Great video
Great reviews on the different cars Colm :) I just bought a Golf R myself (2 days ago) and totally agree with what you are saying..... though I'm at the stage of life where the Golf R suits me the best and is pretty much the only Hot Hatch with a Auto/DSG Gearbox (for the wife). Cheers, Don (Dons Shed and Xplor Overland) Perth, W.Australia
I test drove the i30n, albeit only for about 45 mins but found it lacking low down. Off to test drive the mk4 st tomorrow. By the sound of it, the focus will have more punch
Colm: Thanks for your thoughts on each of these vehicles compared to the FoST MK4. I think this could well be my next car (in a few years after my modded MK3.5 FoST gets too old. I have had these 3 in my sights as well (the I30N being I thought the most likely to win) however your thoughts have me thinking again .... maybe the FoST MK4b after all - I just don't like IPADs stuck to dashes and electronic handbrakes .....
Great, comprehensive review as always mate. You have it done to a fine art. Good to hear that the driving experience is right up there even if the looks aren't to everyone's taste. Respect to you and your wife for going to a wedding in a bright orange car 👍😁
Love these reviews Gary, especially being a big fan of fast Ford’s. I wasn’t keen on the look of the new Focus, but the ST version does look quite decent. Still love my MK3 ST-3, but might get one of these one day!
I know what you mean about the looks. I was unsure if I liked it or not at first. I like the back and as you said an oblique view of the front. I bought one in Magnetic and I have grown to like the looks now. I think the interior is good, and much better than the its predecessor. Good review!
Great review, I like the look. I have the new fiesta ST and I love it! I have only ever had Fords, I just think they know how to make a great handling car.
Great vid again Gary ..... glad you liked the car ..... just done 1700 miles in mine in 10 days and I love it even more ..... I totally agree with you about the power delivery , just so linear ..... hope your RS is sorted soon , any news ? Keep up the great work 👍🏼
This is a really honest and in-depth review. I currently have a mk3 estate ST (post facelift) and I am very tempted by the new one, again in estate guise due to dog :-) I too wasn't sure about the looks when it was unveiled, but they have really grown on me. Think this review has helped make up my mind on a future purchase, but will hang on until next year and pick up a nearly new. Thanks again.
The hill hold and hill hold assist is a nice aid. Hill hold will stop the car rolling back or forward for 3 secs after releasing the brake pedal. The hill hold assist when on,will hold the car forever (and applies the brake lights) until you pull away. Also the release of the auto handbrake by just pulling away is very smooth and way less grabby than an insignia for example.
This is the first proper review I've seen of this car, Thanks! I don't like how they've done the old gauges (Turbo, Oil P and Oil T). That was always a ST (and old Escort Cosworth thing). Do you know if you can have them on the heads up display? As a current ST owner, I think I'll wait a year for price cuts and discounts (and hopefully a facelift).
I miss my old 2006 Focus St-2, currently drive the ST line which is ok but not in same bracket..this thing sounds awesome! Great genuine review thanks!
I like the look. The RS old and upcoming is too "young" for me. It could do with a touch more bling, but I'm fine with the looks. The more I see the orange the worse I think it looks. The grey and ruby red look better IMO. It suits the design better. Shouty orange needs a shouty design and the St is not shouty enough.
Great video. I will definitely trade in my RS for the new ST. Not sure if I will do it this year or next year. But I want this car. I had the 2015 ST before my RS and really liked it and this seems like a much better car.
35 grand for a top end st or a focus rs 2017 for 26 grand. I know which I would choose. I would never trade my rs in for this at all. Quality video as usual and any news on your rs yet???
Ok I’m biased........but if you’re telling me that that car is £7000 more of a car than a Hyundai I30N Performance then you’re mad. Unfortunately for everyone, what Ford has done is made the new upcoming Golf GTI even more expensive with their ridiculous pricing for this. Volkswagen will be rubbing their hands together if they think they can get away with the same over the top Pricing. Top spec should be £29950 and not a penny more. All in my opinion of course.
mr Heisenberg yeah, I was trying to be kind. It’s a real test of people’s brand loyalty this one....,those on a 2015/2016 Focus ST coming to an end to their respective finance deals and looking forward to the latest model......which is now priced (top spec) nearly £10000 more than they were expecting.
Crocoman iv got a face lift mk3 ST was waiting for this but at that price no chance!! we’ve just bought a a class AMG35 saloon in Denim blue for the same price as this so for me this a no brainier.
Jonathan Bowen since this vid iv been up to our local dealer and they’ve one in. I didn’t drive it but I’m been truly honest it didn’t make smile when I sat in it. My old mk2 and our mk3 ST does though. Seriously it’s missing 3 little things that ford have saved money on the tight sods. The dash gauges lol
Great review! Very informative, concise and no waffle! Will be sticking with my MK3.5 ST for now. The price point for these is too strong in my opinion!!
Jon, don't know your circumstances but I had no desire to change mine, and I too thought NO CHANCE with the online prices I was seeing. After the dealer where my PCP is at contacted me to say that I could have a new one for the same monthly cost I was intrigued. After a visit to them and playing them off at other garages I have a new one coming next week with PP, HUD and wireless charger for £20 month LESS than I am paying at the moment.
Bring to the US or else what I am going to do when I need to replace my current ST! i want to add, if you have not had a Focus ST on a track, you need to, I was lucky enough to go to Ford's test track and run the prior model ST on a road course and never once did I feel like the car was lacking in any way, I was blown away.
Great review Gary, myself I prefer mental to composed. Shape, not sure, I think Ford could have done better especially considering the price. Will have stiff competition!.
Don’t float my boat to much money an in a couple years when the price drops I should imagine the MK4 Rs will be upon us But as always again what a great watch Cheers Gaz
Car Focused it’s not a car I’d buy new either, but my friend is made about his and he also owns a nice 911. He’s promised me a drive, I think I need to call in and see him soon 😂
You keep saying about looks ? When i was at goodwood not many people had a bad word to say about the looks . Its a decent looking car and cant wait to see what / if Ford do a RS model
Is this the 1st UK drive? Congrats. Been waiting for these to appear. EDIT. Did I read correctly that you can set the rev limit for launch control? That might help with getting it off the line.
@@CarFocused 👍 TBF launch control is a bit silly IMO. You have to plan using it so in most cases on the road thats not possible, and if your unluckily enough Mr Plod will have you. I'd rather keep my clutch for a bit longer.
Looks ok and it's slowly growing on me and after your review I'm confident is a great car to drive but for me and this is only my personal view, the MK3 RS still wins hands down all round. These MK4's seem to of lost some of that natural aggressive look and styling. While some may say the MK3 is now looking a little dated in reviews, the design and flow of the shapes and lines just sit better for me on the MK3. I reckon when you get your RS back you'll of missed it ! :)
If I did not need the space I would take the Fiesta ST, I think the Fiesta look mush better, also the weight of the Fiesta is it selling point, it just make the car so playfull and fun to drive, that and the price. But the new Focus does look a good car, would love to see what it's like on track?
@@CarFocused Well that's obviously a load of bollocks bigger intake so actually more air for engine. God do mechanics at time piss me of assuming you're dumb.
I think this focus st mk 4 looks good being no nonsense, with a mix of straight forward focus st mk 2 wedge and mk 3, which is great. It has a clever design, and whilst not luxury, most of its buyers will be those who want excellent performance, character, quality and adjustability with the option of mountune. The orange fury paint is excellent and enhances the cars design. Admittedly, though, it's not particularly classy looking and neither was it probably Fords intention. Often, some other car models can often give the impression of being more generic, montonous, and premium brands can sometimes come across as over serious and pretentious. A possible exception may be a Golf R 2.0 TSI (360) but this could be out for the jury to decide.
Good review mate, nice and honest. And as a result I ordered mine today and collect next Friday. Had the choice of Orange Fury or Frozen White, but after my Mk8 Fiesta ST Performance Blue paint didn’t wear well after only 11 months I decided that good old Frozen White would be more durable. Got the Performance Pack and HUD on mine, so only missing sunroof and Blindspot Mirrors.
Car Focused cheers mate, I wanted an RS, but after seeing all the problems others have suffered, I thought I’d make do with an ST until a MK4 RS comes. My Fiesta was great from a driving perspective, but the build quality was awful. The dash rattled in multiple places, and you could hear it over the stereo! The Ford dealers were awful, so instead Ford UK have given me £2k towards the Focus ST. I’m just praying this thing is built better 😬 keep up the good work 👍🏻
Car Focused hi mate, I collected mine this week in Frozen White. Really pleased with it. It feels subtly fast. In some ways my Mk8 Fiesta ST which had a Revo Stage 1 map felt more urgent. But it’s when you look down at the speedo or HUD you realise you are going fast. Got a door card rattle, which is annoying. And one thing I’m noticing that even in Sport and Race mode the exhaust only pops once in a blue moon, plus I’m not noticing a change in exhaust note when changing modes. Bit of an odd one. But I’m going back to the dealer for them to look at it. Overall it’s a competent car, is it worth £35k which I paid for mine, probably other options such as an RS, but with all the issues RS owners have suffered, I decided to go for this instead.
@@leonmason77 I know when they first came out there was no discounts like there are now, but I suppose it's all relative, and if at the time you were happy then its all good. Enjoy
Nice car and drives nice by the looks.But 35k for a ST is nuts.Best to wait a few years and get one for less.Thought You was going to mention what’s happening with the RS in part two Gary? Why do I feel your getting a 2019 ST mate 😉😀
Great review. Not sure I’d replace my mk2 Mazda 3 mps with a £30000 focus st with only 15bhp more than my car has standard before I tuned it. I’d buy a m140i.
£35k is too much for one of these. They will drop soon enough though. The Michelin ps4s are what I have on my 340i and they are very grippy. On the straights I can use all power in 1st in the wet with minimal drama. Great review, only question is would you trade your RS for on when the time comes?
I'm sure they're overinflating the price as Ford are usually doing. At this point it seems like the list price is a marketing strategy so it looks like you're getting huge discounts when you walk into the dealerships. I don't think I know a single person IRL that's bought their Ford at list price lol.
@@CarFocused I went from a mk1 rs to a mk2 st and the difference wasn't that much in terms of performance. What was different was how special the rs felt even though the engine sounded better in the st. To think tho this st costs more than your rs is just insane
Seem to have started that already. Dealer told me that they were not selling many so I would expect a lot more deals like I have got being more common place.
Excellent on point review. I've had a few Mk3 Focus ST's and they're great cars....however, i've always thought Ford lets them down with cheap looking materials inside. Even the gauges look plasticky. Mate bought a Mustang GT not far off £38k with privilege and the materials inside were no different to a normal Focus. Especially the door cards, hard plastics and fake leather. C'mon Ford....make the car look the business inside aswell as out
the new Recarro's have lumbar support -- round disc down the side of the seat -- big upgrade on the Mk3 ones. good review. would be better with all weather mats and illuminated scuff-plates, but given the issues they had with the MK3's its understandable they didnt fit them this time. Mountune/Bluefin remaps are going to be good.
Annoys me how Mercedes new a class AMG’s don’t seem to get pops and crackles on the rev’s, yet here an ST does! So clearly it’s not EU regulations why they removed them
Surprised they used the same Engine as the RS? That surely will rule you out will it not? Hope you get your rs back much nicer car, although I must say the new dash layout is nicer
"same" ....ish...but with boost dialled-down well below that of the Mustang 2.3T, which hasn't experienced similar problems to the RS as far as I am aware. This ST engine won't be under anything like the same kind of strain as the stock RS, which doesn't seem to remain stock for many, for long (could be part of the problem). The numbers/performance of this engine/car look impressive and banker bet reliable IMHO - sadly, the whole thing leaves me totally 'cold' though - it looks bland at best and certainly not 'distinctive', yet costs nearly the same as my Mustang did for me 2 years ago. I just cannot figure out Ford's pricing/marketing strategy here and am really interested to see how this sells, or doesn't.
@@philhammond7036 the RSes with the problems had the wrong gasket installed, in fact the gasket came from the Mustang Ecoboost which is a tiny bit different. It all seems to be fixed now. Ford's pricing strategy is weird, but I think their list prices are fictive. I don't know a single person IRL who paid list price for their Ford. My own father got a ~25% discount on his Focus. That looks like an insane discount, but I think they're overinflating the list price to begin with. That way you think you're getting a ridiculous deal.
Like you I'm unsure about the looks & I also ran one through Ford's configurator & with what I'd want it was £35k which is way too much. The interior is miles better than a Mk3 & that orange would give me a migraine, performance blue is probably the best colour
Still got my mk 2 love it five pot who needs audio making engine noises fake does look nice but I'll stick to the old school mk2 focus st 2.5 turbo with five pot audio from my real engine
If it wasn't for the fact my wife now finds manuals too painful to drive (arthritis) I'd have a new ST, I absolutely loved driving my old one, but as they don't offer an automatic option I've ordered a Golf R instead. Shame !
So, I blame Ford for stopping US production and sales of the Focus & Fiesta. Globally popular, yet- not a huge money maker here in the states when compared to any SUV/CUV or truck. But, not everyone needs/wants a 4WD 5 door vehicle to go to work, shop for food & pick up and drop the kids off at school. Also, with aging of the population, there is an even greater need for coupes & sedans. This NEW Focus ST is more grown up than the first iteration, yet has the same pedestrian look & feel of the base Focus. Driveability is genuinely good- instead of stiff- and, power is also in the accessible range, where people use it. It is a substantially BETTER car than the original in every way- grown up in a way that would make it more accessible to me, my mother & my teen-aged sons. Yes, I've watched several foreign reviews of this vehicle (all good, BTW) and still feel the sting of my inability to get one. Such a good daily driver, yet, very fun when the road clears, curves and narrows. The value of the originals here in the states has remained high, because- guys and gals are willing to pay the premium for the enhancements of the ST badge. Personally, I really want the OG Fiesta ST (and make mine in ANY jelly bean color, please!) and, I'm waiting for the prices to get a little closer to my range. Finally, who has ever heard of a subcompact Ford retaining in excess of 50% of it's value after 3 years? It doesn't happen, yet....
Let's all do our part: call or write Ford US Customer Relationship Center and tell them what their American customers want. If we all contact them, maybe they'll realize it's a profitable business decision to bring the Focus ST 6 spd manual transmission to the US/North American market. Wouldn't hurt to ask for the Fiesta ST and/or the Puma ST 6 speed manual as well! Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126
I’ve always been a ford guy. Had plenty of fast fords from the XR3 back in the 80’s, Sierra XR4x4 in the 90’s and 2 Focus ST’s, an st2 then st3. Loved em all. But at over £30,000 for an Focus ST, I think ford are completely taking the piss. That would push a next gen RS if they decide to do one close to £40,000 and as much as I love my fords. I just wouldn’t pay it.
Great review. I still cant understand why Ford just doesn't understand what the interior of a car should look like. Even the Focus MK2 has a better interior than this, less the display unit, which is easily fixed. Shame......
I wonder, when you say it revs out you are comparing it with your tuned RS which has very different mapping to standard. As standard or with the fpm375 they are much more linear rather than really boosty feeling. Anyway, good review of a somewhat overpriced ugly duckling of a car. I'm sure it is very good but seems a bit too sanitized for my liking. A great daily.
Spec it up with the same options as this and you'll see the difference isn't big. This Focus ST is basically full option, it doesn't have lower trims anymore.
ST launch control vs the RS....😂🤣 Electronic hand brake....😂🤣 Neutered 2.3L 275hp....😂🤣 But that's vs the RS. I own an RS so I'm biased... just a bit. For what it is sweet ride. Sweet BUT overpriced for sure!! If my RS gives me more trouble then its worth will be lightly used Audi RS3 time!! So much tuning potential in that 5 cylinder... 0-60 is bonkers HOWEVER the RS still handles better. 😎
