2014 Ford Focus ST: The High Performance Hot Hatch

My friend has a saying “More fun than I am legally entitled to,” which has to sum up my time with the Ford Focus ST. This four-door, hot hatchback was fun, practical and when driven hard provided decent gas mileage. A former racecar driver even admitted to me he had as much or more fun in the Focus ST than in the V8 Mustang.

 

So what makes the Focus ST fun to drive? As you may have guessed, it is the engine, a 2L double overhead cam 4-cylinder with variable valve timing. Attached to the engine powering the front wheels is a 6-speed manual transmission, the only transmission available in the ST. Power produced by this engine is an amazing 252 hp and 270 lb.ft. of torque, which is pretty amazing coming from this eco-boost engine. In fact this engine has proven so versatile that Ford will be using a variation in the upcoming all-new Mustang and with a turbo charger, it will produce somewhere around 300 hp.

 

To keep this car on the road are 18-inch painted aluminium wheels, disc brakes on all four corners and unique to the ST only, a double arm rear suspension. Gas performance shock absorbers are also used at all four suspension points. Other traction aids include ABS braking and traction control.

 

Once inside the ST doesn’t disappoint here either. Opening the door, you find the latest sport seats, in black leather, from Recaro in the ST. These sport seats hold you in well and were also very comfortable on long trips. One other point is these seats were designed in such a way that they were easy to get in and out of unlike some sport seats. 

 

In the back, you can get two people in with comfort but there is seating for three in a pinch. Now, if you are not a big fan of leather in the winter, these front seats are heated (no cost) which I liked.

 

 

Cargo room wasn’t too bad as this is a hatchback, and loading was no problem as well. For additional space, the rear seats can be folded down making this a practical car as well as just a fun car.

 

Sitting inside all the controls were easy to see, find and work. Ford’s electronic controls were fairly easy to learn even if you’re not used to all the electronics. To my surprise, I didn’t find the interior cramped for a smaller car. The sport seats take up a bit of room but otherwise movement within the front seats were good.

 

One problem with many performance-oriented cars is that they are too firm and can get tiring on a longer trip. Well, I have to say that the Focus ST wasn’t too bad, the suspension was firm as were the seats, but both seats and suspension did have a bit of give to them.

 

Handling in both city and highway was excellent when you compare it with many higher priced cars on the road. Zipping in and out on twisty roads was where the ST really shone, as it gripped in the corners and long sweeping curves, here the car always felt attached to the road and never once did I feel that I was losing traction. Where the ST lost a few points was grip on hard acceleration.

 

This is common in most front drive cars, but factoring in the power and torque this engine produces, it is really not that surprising.

 

The Focus ST is a car that any aged car enthusiast will like, it offers more than enough power, good handling and reasonable cargo room for its size. Factor in that it gets decent gas mileage for the performance and it comes reasonably priced at $29,500 and you have a real all-around great car.

 

By Glen Konorowski