Summary
The Ford Focus ST was the performance version of the fourth-generation Ford Focus. It was introduced in 2019 and discontinued in 2025 when Ford ended production of the Focus range.
Available with a 2.3-litre petrol engine producing 280hp, and briefly with a diesel option, the Ford Focus ST combined strong straight-line performance with chassis upgrades aimed at delivering sharper handling than the standard model.
UK media reviews were consistently positive, praising its balance, steering response and everyday usability. It was widely regarded as one of the more complete hot hatch options of its time.
However, ownership considerations were less favourable. Running costs were relatively high, particularly for fuel and insurance, and reliability data has been only average. Environmental performance was also unremarkable for the class, and warranty cover was limited when new.
Now available only on the used market, the Ford Focus ST presents a mixed proposition. It remains engaging to drive, but its long-term ownership record is less convincing than its media reputation suggests.
The Ford Focus ST currently holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. Strong media review scores are offset by high running costs, average reliability, average safety performance and limited warranty cover.
Focus ST highlights
- Sharp and engaging handling
- Strong turbocharged petrol performance
- Practical five-door hatchback and estate options
- Comfortable enough for everyday use
- Strong media review consensus
Focus ST lowlights
- Running costs higher than many rivals
- Reliability only average
- Environmental performance unremarkable
- Dashboard technology now feels dated
- Original warranty cover was short
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £37,650 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Spring 2022
Discontinued: Autumn 2025
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Ford Focus ST is neither the fastest nor the cheapest hot hatch, but it’s up there with the very best.”
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Ellis Hyde
“The Ford Focus ST is the quickest hot hatch Ford currently sells and it’s one of the most practical fast family cars around. Some less roomy alternatives are a little quicker, however.”
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Neil Briscoe
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: ST Track Pack (2023)
Score: 9 / 10
“The fourth generation Ford Focus ST isn’t the perfect hot hatchback, but the new Track Pack does wonders for its ride and handling.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Automatic 2022
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST offers outright performance and chassis composure blended so skilfully with accessible entertainment value that it remains a true benchmark among its competitors. Some rivals are quicker but more serious-feeling and sometimes less fun. Others are miles more powerful, with four-wheel drive, but manage to make such small marginal gains as a result. The Focus ST remains an enduringly appealing hot-hatch sweet spot.”
Read review
Model reviewed: ST Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“For fast Ford fans the Focus ST Edition is the pinnacle, and it’s a fitting send-off before a newly updated ST arrives shortly. It looks the part, and the extras give a subtle extra breadth of ability, with more comfort and control than the ST – but it’s not night and day.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Ford Focus ST Estate offers all the thrills of the standard hot hatch, but in a more practical package.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Line X
Score: 7 / 10
“Ford has given the Fiesta a thorough work over, equalling a car that heads to retirement at the top of its game. If you’re still thinking of getting one, this Fiesta ST remains deserving of serious consideration against more modern rivals.” (Martyn Collins)
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford’s efforts with the new Focus ST have largely paid off.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual ST Estate
Score: 8 / 10
“While a diesel estate might not seem the obvious choice for a sports model, this Focus ST makes a compelling case for itself with its mix of efficiency, performance and appealing styling.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST is one of the most exciting hot hatchbacks on sale but is no longer a cheap option when compared with its rivals.” (Andy Goodwin)
Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Focus ST Estate is just as good to drive as the hatchback but has a much bigger boot.” (Ben Custard)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Estate range
“If you’re looking for hot hatch pace, but aren’t prepared to give up estate space, the Ford Focus ST Estate is happy to help.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual estate
“The Ford Focus ST looks great and makes an appealing case as an efficient performance diesel, but it can’t help feeling a little lukewarm compared with the full-fat petrol ST.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual estate
Score: 8 / 10
“For some, the Ford Focus ST is a bit too toned down, but not for me. You get bespoke front and rear bumpers, a rear spoiler, black 19-inch alloys and red brake calipers. Enough to make the ST stand out as special, but not so much as to attract unwanted attention.”
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“For 2022, Ford’s given the Focus range a refresh that’s carried across to the ST. Together with some updated styling and tech, there are a few other reasons why the updated ST might just have taken a few steps up the hot hatchback ladder.” (Jordan Katsianis)
Read review
Model reviewed: Focus ST Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“If a Focus ST is a must-buy, the Edition is an absolutely crucial upgrade, just don’t go expecting to outplay a Civic Type R or i30 N by doing so.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“The Focus ST is characterful, fast and capable: everything it needs to be to take on the class leaders.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The petrol Ford Focus ST hits 62mph in less than 6.0 seconds – half a second quicker than the old model, and potentially as fast as the Honda Civic Type R.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual hatchback
“The Focus ST has in recent years lived in the shadow of the smaller Fiesta ST, and we suspect it will continue to do so. It’s quick and good to drive, but there’s no shortage of cars that are quick and good to drive. The Focus ST is easy to live with, but keen drivers will find more excitement in rivals.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8.4 / 10
“If driving thrills are at the top of your list of priorities but you still need a thoroughly practical family car, the Ford Focus ST hot hatch is well worth a look. It’s got plenty of space inside for passengers, and the estate version offers extra boot space if the hatchback isn’t big enough.” (CJ Hubbard)
Read review
The Scotsman
Score: 8 / 10
“As Ford prepares to discontinue the Focus, the latest ST honours the hot hatch ideal as a thrilling family car.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol Estate
“The ST estate is the best Focus ST I’ve yet driven and a fantastic fast family Ford. There’s no denying how brilliant that storming drivetrain is in a smart-looking machine like this, which can convincingly lap a track one minute and then heft a load of junk to the tip the next.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.3-litre petrol manual hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s hard to resist the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this souped-up Ford. You could use it as a daily driver then take it to a racing circuit. With performance that in some aspects surpasses the most recent Focus RS, the ST is an astonishing car with a terrific engine.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 7 / 10
“All told the Focus ST remains a quietly great all-rounder, but one that’s no longer a conspicuous bargain or the most rambunctious car in its class, which may mean it struggles to stand out from a talented crowd.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.3 276bhp
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s fantastic.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Date expired: January 2026
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 72%
Safety assist: 75%
Notes on safety rating
The Ford Focus ST shares its safety score with the regular Focus, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2026 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Focus ST to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Ford Focus ST was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 34 mpg | D |
| Diesel models | 58 mpg | B |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 183 g/km | D | ||
| Diesel models | 126 g/km | B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 27 | C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £310 | D |
| Year 2 | £758 | D |
| Year 3 | £1,179 | D |
| Year 4 | £1,391 | D |
| Year 5 | £1,897 | D |
| Overall | £5,535 | D |
The Ford Focus ST is a relatively expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy for petrol models is poor, while diesel models are notably better. This is mirrored in CO2 emissions, unsurprisingly. Insurance premiums are comparatively low, but service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership should be only middling – these have increased notably over the last 12 months, so Ford has clearly been bumping up its servicing prices…
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 991
Average repair cost: £651.22
Last updated: April 2025
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Ford Focus range, including the ST model, has a reasonable reliability score of 62%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers not just the current-model Focus, but previous models as well and all the powertrain options from entry-level diesels to top-spec ST and RS models, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking at a used car.
Of most concern is that engine problems are both the most common type of fault and also the most expensive, with an average repair bill of more than £1,100. Gearbox problems are also expensive and not uncommon.
The good is that other problems tend to be relatively inexpensive to repair. However, if you’re looking at a used Ford Focus ST then you should make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Ford Focus ST
| Overall rating | E | 15% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 0 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 0 miles |
Ford’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
Warranty on a used Ford Focus ST
- If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Ford Focus ST from an official Ford Direct dealership, you will get a minimum two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Ford Focus ST from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Ford Focus ST from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.de to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Ford Focus
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been 20 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the fourth-generation Ford Focus to address different issues. However, not all of these recalls necessarily applied to the Focus ST.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Ford dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Focus ST, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Ford Focus ST has received
2020
- DieselCar & EcoCar Awards – Best Hot Hatch
2019
- Top Gear Awards – Best Hot Hatch
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Hot Hatch
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Focus ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi RS 3 | BMW M135i | Cupra Leon | Honda Civic Type R | Hyundai i30 N | Mercedes-AMG A 35 | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works | Renault Megane RS | Skoda Octavia vRS | Toyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Golf GTI
There are so many hot hatch rivals to the Focus ST, challenging it on both aggressive performance and equally aggressive visuals. The most popular include the Honda Civic Type R, the Hyundai i30 N and the Renault Megane RS. Premium brands also get in the act, with the BMW M135i, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and Audi S3 to choose from.
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