The Focus ST is a real sports car with a six-speed manual and 154 mph top speed honed on German autobahns. It also has a fluid and capable handling balance, thanks to intensive tuning on the moonscape that is U.K. roads. As the Fiesta ST fails to generate meaningful excitement and buzz, can the 270 pound-feet of torque in the hottest Focus ST tempt a new generation of power-hungry drivers?

The delayed U.S. launch of many European performance models can be infuriating at times, especially for readers of international car magazines. One such case is the latest Ford Focus ST that’s been on sale in the U.K. since early 2012 and laps up praise from all who drive it.

Arriving in the United States as a late 2013 model year, it has been a long roll out that is just starting to see Focus ST’s appear in volume across U.S. showrooms. Better late than never.

The 2014 ST now has two cool go-faster mods for less than $500 extra: titanium-grey wheels with red calipers or twin matte black racing stripe graphics.

The car’s speedy performance and exterior design solidify the Focus ST as a contender versus the VW GTI, Subaru WRX and the outgoing MazdaSpeed 3.

Click past the jump for the full review of the Ford Focus ST with highlights on U.S.-market changes to the global specs and info on the cool new options.

2014 Ford Focus ST

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Ford Focus ST
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 252 @ 5500
  • Torque: 270 @ 2500
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Focus ST is by far the best-looking Focus available, thanks to the deep body kit, redesigned bumpers and fascias, a big wheel package, a vented rear spoiler and the Star Wars-inspired rear exhaust pipe. A few unique colors are available including the bright yellow in these images.

Overall, it is the ST-exclusive nose design that most sets the performance model apart from base five-door and sedan Focus models. The non-ST 2014 Focuses continue with the slim top grille and a lower trapezoidal grille below with painted structure lines. It is a relief that the look did not migrate to the rest of the Focus range and helps the ST be exclusive on the road.

The only critical exterior option is the headlight upgrade. It replaces the halogen bulbs for HID xenon’s with an LED running light bar at the top of the lamp designs. This option was a very late addition to the 2013 model so will usually mark out the 2014 versus the earliest U.S. Focus ST’s.

The new 2014 options are a great addition: these snowflake rims look incredible painted dark grey and the option comes with red-painted brake calipers for just $375. The racing stripes are not as successful on this yellow color but will likely look sharp on some of the other colors at the tune of $475.

In profile, the ST looks incredible, thanks to deep, sculpted rocker panel extensions that flow smoothly into the rear bumper. This helps increase the masculinity of the glasshouse significantly. The overall design of the new Focus hatchback has a dramatic roofline taper toward the back. The roof pinches down pretty aggressively behind the back seat and the huge spoiler helps make the car look great from the rear three-quarter angle.

The rear bumper is another ST-exclusive item and comes with some racy vents and, of course, that center-mounted exhaust tip. The shape is gorgeous and the satin brightwork looks fresh and expensive versus a normal chrome tip.

2014 Ford Focus ST – Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase

104.1 in.

Length

171.7 in.

Width

71.8 in.

Height

58.4 in.

Track (front/rear)

61.2/60.4 in.

Weight

3223 pounds

Drag Coefficient

0.30


2014 Ford Focus ST – Standard Exterior Features:

- ST-exclusive 18" alloy wheels

- ST-exclusive front grille

- ST-exclusive black headlamp surrounds

- ST-exclusive fog lamps

- Full-size spare tire (included in Titanium Handling Package)

- Door handles, body-color

- Rocker moldings, body color

- Power mirrors, body-color, manual fold with integrated side marker lamps

- Exclusive Integrated blind spot mirrors

- Automatic quad-beam halogen headlamps

- Rear windshield wiper

- Rear window defroster

2014 Ford Focus ST – Optional Exterior Features:

- HID automatic headlamps with LED accents

- ST-exclusive grey painted wheels with red calipers ($375)

- Matte black racing strips ($475)

Interior

The ST is as successful at revamping the interior as it is on the exterior. The most noteworthy changes are the much higher equipment levels, standard leather-wrapped wheel and gearstick, and an extra gauge cluster on the dash that includes a boost gauge.

The red needles and the white gauge lighting looks really fresh versus the base Focus, as does the extensive piano black trim throughout the cabin. Other ST-branded elements appear on the steering wheel, screen graphics and the nice-looking gearstick.

Overall, the interior design of the Focus is a little messy with many contrasting shapes that do not gel together as well as some other recent Fords. Functionally, the ST comes loaded with MyFord Touch by Sony and Sync controls. The major tech options include the nav system upgrade into MyFord Touch and a better 10-speaker stereo with a subwoofer. Both good to buy upfront versus installing them as aftermarket options.

Besides those individual options, the most relevant performance enhancements are the ST2 and ST3 packages. These are pricey at $2,400 and $4,800, respectively, but are a comprehensive upgrade that offers equipment levels that are mostly unavailable in the GTI and the WRX.

All ST models get standard Recaro seats with deep and supportive bolsters to keep drivers planted during fast driving. The standard buckets are cloth but upgradable to half-leather on the ST2 and full leather on the ST3. The black/yellow color option is luckily not mandatory. A solid charcoal, tan, black/grey or black with blue trims are offered.

Lastly, the trunk of the Focus ST is awesome and will come in handy very often. It packs Audi Q5-level space with 24 cubic-feet behind the seats and nearly 45 cubic feet with them folded.

2014 Ford Focus ST – Interior Dimensions:

Seating Capacity

5

Headroom (Front/Rear)

39.1/37.9 in.

Legroom (Front/Rear)

43.1/33.4 in.

Shoulder Room (Front/Rear)

55.6/52.6 in.

EPA Cargo Volume

23.8 cubic-feet

EPA Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Folded)

44.8 cubic-feet


2014 Ford Focus ST – Standard Interior Features:

- Cloth front bucket seats with 4-way manual driver's seat, 2-way manual passenger seat and 4-way adjustable head restraints

- 60/40 split folding rear bench seat with 3 removable head restraints

- Manual climate control with air filtration system

- AM/FM single-disc CD player, MP3 capable with 6 speakers, audio input jack and speed-sensitive volume control

- SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system

- Full-floor center console with storage

- Power door locks

- Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start

- Dome lamps, front, rear and cargo compartment

- Tilt and telescoping steering wheel

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel

- Sun visors, driver and front passenger, with vanity mirrors

- Power front and rear windows with all windows one-touch up and down

- Front and Rear 12V powerpoint

- Cruise Control, Floor console armrest

- Floor mats, 1st and 2nd row

- Illuminated entry, Exclusive MyKey owner controls feature

- Map pockets behind driver and front-passenger seats; 1st-row map/reading lamps

- Removable rear package tray

2014 Ford Focus ST – Optional Interior Features:

- ST2 Equipment Group: Sony Audio System with 10 speakers (including subwoofer), 8” display screen, Dual zone electronic automatic temperature control; HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 6 month subscription (not available in AL or HI), Recaro leather-trimmed seats ($2,405)

- ST3 Equipment Group: Navigation system, Recaro heated leather seats, Rear armrest, HID Headlights, Cornering lamps, LED signature lighting, Ambient Lighting, Overhead console and Heated exterior mirrors ($4,840)

- Partial-leather RECARO front bucket seats with ST logo, Tangerine Scream, Smoke Storm or Performance Blue accent color and 2-way adjustable head restraints

- Full-leather RECARO heated front bucket seats with ST logo and 2-way adjustable head restraints

- Power moonroof

- Ambient interior lighting

- Rear armrest with storage (included with available leather-trimmed seats)

- Sony Audio system with 10 speakers including subwoofer

- HD Radio

- SYNC with MyFord Touch by Sony

- Navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link

- Heated front seats

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

The Focus ST is both fast and entertaining to drive hard. Its sharp turn-in makes it a threat on the track and the sprint performance is very good too. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is now called “GTDI” (gasoline turbo direct injection) in a jab at Volkswagen’s efforts to make TDI into a known engine brand.

Producing 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, the Focus ST’s official 0-to-60 mph time is 5.9 seconds. The power numbers are both up by about 20 from the pre-release estimates of 246 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.

The Focus ST includes a 15-second over-boost in higher gears (like the Fiesta ST) that increases the max turbo pressure from about 13 psi up to 15.9 psi. This is right at the top of the ST’s boost gauge range, which is labeled in Bar measurements with a 1.2 max.

Various Focus ST forums have researched the maximum sustained boost pressure that this engine can handle. They note 70-plus horsepower increases up to 19 psi with a better intake and exhaust, but serious diminishing returns after 20 psi.

The Focus ST is able to manage the extra turbo heat that comes from increasing boost. This is because the front-mounted intercooler is able to cool the charged air better than a top-mounted intercooler, such as on the Subaru WRX. As with all tuned cars, expect the clutch to need upgrading very soon after increasing the boost.

The Ford has deep levels of technical knowledge in its front suspension and electric power steering to both limit torque steer and also give the ST great abilities on fast laps. Even so, the boost is limited to about 9 psi in the first three gears.

Brake-based electronic torque vectoring leaves the ST less composed than some of the best hot hatchbacks when trying to power out of slippery corners. Limited-slip diffs are not a catch-all fix for powerful front-drive cars like this. They bring their own brand of weaving under braking and some grittiness on hard lock. It is unlikely that the new GTI will offer an LSD in the U.S. either.

The brakes are big and firm-feeling under pedal pressure. A six-speed manual is the only available transmission and will delight the legions of sports-car fans.

2014 Ford Focus ST – Mechanical Details:

Engine Size and Type

2.0-liter Turbocharged 16-valve I-4 With Chain-Driven DOHC and IVCT

Peak power

252 horsepower

Peak torque

270 pound-feet

Transmission

6-speed Manual

0-to-60 mph

5.9 seconds

Top Speed

154 mph

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)

23/32/26


Safety

The ST has not gone through the full crash test regimen because it shares all structural designs with standard Focus hatchbacks.

The Focus benefits from being a global car that can ace all the various global crash testing standards. It is a five-start car from the NHTSA and is a 2013 Top Safety Pick from IIHS. The very similar European 2011 Ford Focus also scored five stars in the EuroNCAP program.

The stability control of the ST is unique in a mainstream Ford model by offering three levels of assistance: normal, track and fully off. The sport setting is designed to allow generous slip angles and will not electronically cut engine power to a spinning wheel like the standard mode. Full off is exactly what it sounds like.

2014 Ford Focus ST – Standard Safety Features:

- Class-Exclusive Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler

- Dual-stage front airbags, Front-seat side-impact airbags, Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags (first and second row)

- Belt-Minder front safety belt reminder; 3-point safety belts at all seating positions, Height-adjustable front safety belts; Safety belt pretensioners

- Child safety door locks, rear; LATCH anchors for child safety seats

- AdvanceTrac electronic stability control

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

- Remote keyless entry; SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System; Anti-theft perimeter alarm

Pricing

The U.S. Focus ST is priced from $24,115 and barely cracks $29,000 with the desirable ST3 package that includes all the major options.

Competition

The ST is so much more powerful than the Civic Si that the Honda is no longer a competitor.

It also offers performance and tech that leave the current WRX and GTI in the dust. The next generation of both the Subaru and the VW are almost ready and tipped to arrive this fall and next spring, respectively.

2015 Subaru WRX

The WRX concept from New York 2013 at least proved that the car would now be a four-door and didn't include any previous styling mistakes like the B9 Tribeca grille or the “blob” headlights on the first-gen U.S. WRX.

The WRX is now a unique model line apart from the Impreza and expected to have 270-plus horsepower from its boxer four. The spy shots reveal a much more conservative roofline than the concept and a body shape that somehow seems too big for the car, wheels and wheel tracks underneath. Here's hoping it looks better in production form than in these spyshot-based renderings.

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The new GTI is almost old news despite not going on sale in the United States for nearly another year. For the seventh-gen GTI, the car has switched to the new MQB modular platform and added about 20 horsepower for a 220 total. The car still is under-labelled and makes big torque from very low in the rev range.

The GTI has never been very quick despite its reputation and a projected 6.4 second 0-to-60 will leave it behind the ST.

Conclusion

The Focus ST is a cult car and a hero among car enthusiasts across the globe. By packaging such a satisfying drive and great acceleration into an already-practical car, Ford has answered the wishes of U.S. car fans by bringing the car over.

It is a nice counterpoint to the Focus Electric and also broadens the company’s performance offerings beyond the Mustang that is not affordable to buy, drive or insure for many young people.

The ST-exclusive upgrade list is deep enough that the car will remain unique on the road and also from other modified base Focus models. More than just the body kit, the interior mods like Recaro buckets and the extra gauges really help this car stand out from the competition.

Will the next WRX be faster in sprints? Will the next GTI have a better-quality cabin than the Ford?

The answer is yes. Where the Focus really makes sense is a nimble, track-friendly car that is fast and has great dynamic balance. As fast as the sedan-only WRX will be, Subaru drivers know that AWD does not mean no under-steer. If anything, the WRX’s extra power will make it sloppier on a track.

The GTI is great but in order to sell it in the U.S. profitably, VW will likely strip out all the latest euro tech and performance options. The power pack and limited slip are virtually guaranteed to not cross the pond.

The Focus ST delivers the best of both worlds, while also packing a sharp and unique style all its own. It’s a great performance car that also happens to be an easy daily driver with a huge trunk. Game on, WRX.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

A-

Grippy Tires And Thick Stabilizer Bars Mean Tight Handling

Performance

A

The Quickest And Fastest U.S. Hot Hatch

Look

B+

Substantial Improvements In Focus Style; 2014 Grey Wheels Look Sharp

Value

B-

Great Base Price Car Comes Well-Equipped; Not Much More Than Loaded Focus At About $24,000

Overall

B+

Full-Throttle Fun On A Budget