The Last Ford Focus ST..X What Happened Ford.. 2022 Review
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Welcome to another Episode of Ross Reviews AU on this weeks Video we take a look at one of the last ever Ford Focus ST-X Models to hit Australian shores.. This HotHatch with its 2.3L 4Cylinder Turbo is by all accounts Brilliant.. YET only 8! STX models where sent here and only around 100 ST's... WTF??? this car feels much more usable and practical over say an I30N and only really needs and Exhaust system to compare in sound.. the handling, the speed, the looks.. all amazing. this really was sad to drive knowing its the last one and how good it actually is.. RIP Focus we will miss you..
The Last Ford Focus ST..X What Happened Ford.. 2022 Review
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Nice that you mention that the Focus is getting build in Germany. We here in Saarlouis Germany are proud of our Product and we are giving our best.
I ordered a ST X too in March with TrackPack. It will be build in 2 weeks hopefully.
These Cars are very good but a bit to expensive.
Eigentlich sind sie hier gar nicht so teuer - ich habe gerade einen von „unseren“ letzten STs mit Optionen gekauft, was in Deutschland €48.000 (AUD78.000) kosten würde, und knapp AUD55.000 (€33.0000) bezahlt. Ein Golf GTI in Vergleich kostet hier etwa AUD66.000/€41.000.
Es ist echt tragisch, dass wir sie hier nicht mehr kaufen können, aber vielen dank für die tolle Arbeit!
awesome cars! sad to see them slowly being discontinued :(
Germans are the best. Hard working and genius. Ford should be proud to have the Focus built in Germany.
@@raymadani270 Sadly the production will end in Summer 2025 and Ford gives a Shit about the Workers and their Jobs. I know it because my Family is working there in Saarlouis.
@@xDayZFr3aXx I'm so sorry mate. Germany can be a continent itself if the corrupt head of the state allow. in 2006 Stuttgart's GDP was more than half Canada could make. It breaks my heart to see how they are bringing this giant to its knees.
Wow I must be one of the lucky 8! Picked up my STX last October and I absolutely love it. Not only a beast on the open roads but a comfortable drive in my day to day commute. One of my favourite features which there"s many is the sound system, it has a 10 speaker Bang & Olufsen system which sounds unbelievable. It"s a shame that Ford stop importing them as it is definitely the best Focus ST made and I should know this is my fourth one.
Very Lucky!!! Seriously rare car here in Aus! Congrats awesome vehicles
Wish I could buy this car in the US it looks amazing I have a VN this st looks very similar to i30n
Shame they aren’t being sold in Australia anymore after two decades of hot euro Fords being here from Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. The manual Mk4/4.5 St have a better sound and pop and crackle much more and the 7 Speed is a Ford gearbox and is somewhat similar to the Ford Gt gearbox
Such a shame it’s gone.. I really loved the interior updates on this one and it was very fun to drive.. just needed that exhaust
Fiesta and Focus were 🪓 in North America back in 2019!!!
@@MAXpaowers Really??? Why?? Please tell me this osjt all to do with forcing people onto Electric ?
@@realMaverickBuckley yup
@@RossReviewsau yes, Ford is a weak brand, they never has the gutts to give customers more of what the customers love. No wonder they are on the tip of bail out from Europe as well, they left Asia too. Ford management is a BIG failure
Just on the Focus ST, some information was suggesting that the transmission was actually the GM 8-speed torque converter that Ford licences as part of the co-developed 10-speed torque converter, Ford have simply programmed the map to lock out 2nd gear so it goes from 1st to 3rd. as Ford claimed the gap of ratios was too close and as such made no difference, it is not a ZF or ZF licence version.
As for why it has no pops and bangs? it does, Ford has just used a different engine map for the auto version, Mount Tune (3rd party enhancer) has found a way to get he pops and bangs for the torque converter automatics versions.
My mk2 ST will always have a place in my heart, that extra cylinder adds so much character
The 5 pot turbos were really something special
I have a MK3.5 focus ST here in the states and it kills me that we never got this in America….such a gorgeous looking car, I really like it.
they really finished this off well.. sad its gone
I have one too, its a great car, Personnaly it didn't make sense to me that ford killed the performance hatch backs they sold very well, and arguably the best of the class for those years. but at least we went out on the high of the mk3.5 RS. however a mk4 would have printed money.
@@Rommer2258 ford new marketing is getting rid of the cars and moving up a pay per ride type system like an Uber.
@@jessebudelman not really, Ford put all their money into expensive high profit SUVs and trucks. Which worked for them for the last few years. However currently it's hurting them, no one can afford or wants to buy 75,000 mid-spec trucks. I just want a mid 30s AWD hot hatch like the RS again.
@@Rommer2258 that’s the point of the pay per ride program their gonna roll out in the next 2-3 years. Look it up, they will profit more by doing that than producing cars for the public, where the average person can’t afford to buy a 50-60-70k vehicle.
Great review, however I think Ford Australia is in real trouble as the Ranger and Everest (and maybe Mustang) are the only cars keeping Ford Australia alive, and once this segment dies down, I don't see Ford Australia lasting too long if they don't pay attention to their other models...
Not to mention the amount of warranty and recall issues
Werent the previous focus models absolute lemons? Crap transmissions i think. Probably put people off buying a focus through word of mouth.
Totally agree, all their other products are just objectively inferior to their competition in nearly every way.
@@BudleyBailey Yeah they had major engineering failures with their their DSG's, and then tried to blame it on the customers - at least that's my recollection.
@@BudleyBailey Yep, the DCT Powershift transmissions had some real issues... The transmission was also found in the Fiesta and the POS Ecosport...
I feel the marketing team at Ford should be shown the door. Its like they just expected people to walk in and buy one without ever seeing an advertisement.
Nice one Ross, very rare! Congratz on 50k btw 👊
Thank you!! Good to hit that goal
For the price, probably the best car money can buy. Fun, comfortable, high quality and low maintenance.
It’s expensive I feel but a very good hatch
@@RossReviewsau
In Europe it is cheaper than the equivalent Golf or Civic..
Great review of the Focus STX, Ross. I’ve actually never heard of the STX model before. I don’t go much on hot hatches but it’s a nice looking car. I really like the interior especially. It’s definitely a shame that they’re not being sold here anymore. Thanks for the review.
Glad I could inform you 🔥👏 definitely a nice hatch so sad to see all these cars disappearing
@@RossReviewsau yo man, any chance to do Review MG ZS 2001 2006?
Congratulations on 50K subscribers mate 👍
Thank you!!!
For complete driving enjoyment... you need the manual.
I have one... I test drove both the auto and the manual, the auto was underwhelming but the manual is where it's at.
I was going to update my 2020 Manual to an ST-X to get the better interior, but then I found out the ST-X was auto only, I kept my 2020 manual.
I enjoyed the auto here but I haven’t had the opportunity to try the manual yet
Is manual rare in Australia? I'm curious. I know in USA it's quite rare, but have no idea about Australia. Here in Europe manual transmissions are pretty common. In my country for example you are learning driving and passing exam on manual only.
Its not really "fake noise" per se in the case of the ST, its actually a tube running from the intake to the cabin with a butterfly valve that syncs with the gas pedal.
I really like these STX final runout models because they got a fair bit of upgrades from the previous model years, but they cut it before many could come to Australia. I got an FL i30n before i could grab a STX
I have a mark4 Focus ST manual, love it. Sad they stopped production feel lucky to have one
Not production (yet), just import 😡
Such a bummer that Ford pulled out of this market for the US. Sucks in general that the US has such a hard time with anything non-truck/faux SUV
very true.. sad the way the car market is going
Looks really nice in the green 😍
Great colour
Yeah mate I don't know why they never sold well,it seems like an awesome little hatch to me,anyway a excellent review as always cheers buddy.
not marketed and a lil pricey but an amazing hatch
Great to see an Australian review. I have the 2022 ST model in manual, miss out on a few features compared to the X, adaptive suspension, heads up display, track mode, sun roof and 18” rims rather than 19” but you do get a black roof and wing mirrors, the manual also pops and bangs in sport mode. The manual really is a fun car to drive on the right road and they are a solid car all round. But a stage 1 tune and custom exhaust would make it even better.
Don’t forget the ST-X also has adaptive matrix LED’s headlights over the standard LED’s on the ST
STX in manual would have been nice, if Ford actually understood what people wanted 😔
Manuals get Pops n Bangs, for the Auto's you need to do some mods to achieve this :). When the Manuals get modded, their pops n bags are fun. Dreamscience is popular for Manuals whilst for AUTO's you can go for Mountune or REVO
You could get a Manual STX just not in aus 🥲
Thanks Danny appreciate that info 🙏
It's pretty wild to think that here even seeing a Focus is a rarity. In the UK they used to be everywhere, but now you see more Kugas and Pumas if anything. Shame really that the chip shortages caused issues, but Ford must have really noticed a decline in the hatchback to boot off some of their best selling models. I guess like most manufacturers they're switching everything to SUV's and crossovers - but possibly Ford's pricing made the Kuga seem more reasonable - the Focus although it's always been great, was being priced way too high.
My father had one of the first generation Focus STs from new. It was a mechanical disaster from the moment it left the Ford dealer.
Still love the mark 3 picking up a 67 plate ST250 in impact blue only done 16,460 miles
That’s a Very Nice Looking Ford 😮 sad it’s finished now
Fortunately we still have 147 X ST(144 ST wagon + 3 ST 6MT)import to Taiwan, What do you think about X St wagon compare to the Octavia RS Combi MK4😊
Il n'y a aucun pop and bang avec boîte automatique ? Même au palette ?
Awesome car will go down in history as a classic everyone wants and price will only go up with these
Definitely I desired hatch.. they did well on this.. sad only 8 we’re sent to Australia
@@RossReviewsau wow only 8 if I got one I'd leave it under lock and key.
grats on 50k come back to melbourne haha
Will be back in Melbourne in September
@@RossReviewsau will see you there i got a photo with you last time but happy to let you drive my G6ET if I don't sell it first but she's all stock :/
7:23 cameraman at his finest
🤣 that was me
Damn I wish they never stopped the ST after 2018 in USA and Canada. That grren is nice, I like it.
its sad the way the car market has gone :(
Id get the fiesta st over one of these for sure, smaller and more fun to drive i would think. You should review one to compare. Good review mate.
I would like to try the difference
Definitely, you just can't beat that weight factor of the fiesta st it's insane fun on the tight twisty tarmac and the better driver you are, the more you can extract from it!
Yep, my wife has the Mk8 Fiesta ST & it is definitely more fun to drive than my Focus ST-3.
Can vouch. Got a FiST and it is way more playful than just about anything out there. Even the i20N feels more bolted down and not as fun.
I think in the manual st you get more of those pops and bangs 👌
Seems to be what people say
Very similar front end to a i30N
It does look similar up front
Have you driven the OG SVT focus /RS focus ?
No I really want to tho
In Australia these models didn't justify the cost compared to the competition for what it offers. If Ford Australia can't keep up they won't have much time left down under
it was expensive
Nice colour 👌
Very nice 👍
Never would buy a car with automatic transmission.... Never!
I haven't even seen the review but it's shame that is the last focus st. Yes it may be abit of a Merc/Audi lookalike and not very fordlike but it's the best looking focus we've seen since the focus was a concept. Shame it won't be as loved and the st2 with that lovely Volvo block.
The STX should have got the Rev Knuckle limited slip differential from a couple of generations ago in the Focus RS.
would have been nice
The colour of the car is really good
Looks 🔥
@@RossReviewsau sure does
Great review, shame on ford, shame to lose the focus and fiesta
Sad to see them both go 🥲
Absolutly. Sad is that the Workers here in Saarlouis Germany will probably loose the Workplace in 2025 when the Focus
ends. Ford is saying nothing about what is coming after this. But the Workers are still giving 100% and thats amazing when you think it can happends
that you are without a Job.
Megane RS job done
That or 308 GTi…. 😉
awesome car
It’s killer
Maybe if they weren’t charging RS money for an ST. Especially without a mechanical LSD. Seats aside, the interior is atrocious. Falls into the same crappy mould that most modern cars utilise. The only thing that sold the XR5 in numbers is when they dropped the price to 34990. They’ve never moved any decent quantity of STs. It’s the wrong market. The UK, definitely. The US, to a lesser extent. If people want a hot hatch here, they think Golf GTi/R, Hyundai N or if you’re cashed up, an RS3.
That is a fair point
I'm not knocking this car but for that money wouldn't you rather the LV RS? Those Volvo 5 cylinder are rather great.
I personally would go the MK2 RS but this is a nice hatch 🐣
Big WTF Ford just want to be the Ranger car company
Sadly seems that way.. thankfully there is still a Mustang on the way
My brother just bought a 2021 St, white manual with 9,000km on it
Very nice!
Can't really blame Ford for not selling them. It's a shame we didn't buy them more like it. The Focus is a true competitor to the Golfs and no one wanted them.
It's a real shame that these weren't brought to the US. I would've bought one in a heartbeat
It’s sad 😢
I still like it but an ST with an automatic feels wrong lol
WTF is exactly right. I ordered a STX in 2021 at my local dealer and early 22 they just said: "sorry they aren't suppling AUS any" After owning 5 Focuses over 4 generations its pretty dissapionting.
That’s gut wrenching eh 🥲
@@RossReviewsau Yes mate not happy. Don't know what we'll replace this one with. Maybe BMW M2 to get the drive. Double the price!
Pretty quick little car. I guess people went and bought Golfs and I30N’s instead? Shares good company acceleration wise:
HSV VE2 auto Ute 5.71secs
Focus ST - 5.72secs
FPG GT-F manual - 5.75secs
600hp G6E - 5.75secs
BF F6 - 5.82secs
Mustang GT manual - 5.82secs
Not a bad hatch this
ayooo ZX2 gang
Tidy looking little hatch. Not sure where Ford see the future of their cars going if they keep discontinuing everything 🤔
Ikr 😞 worrying
We need the eco boost ford explorers here
I’m keen to see one eh
Surely hyandai n 130
Unfortunately, the majority of people are being sucked into buying electric because they think they are saving the world. That spoils what is available for those who want to enjoy a true drivers car.
electric is not the answer for everyone.. gov needs to stop mandates
Sad indeed but we sort of knew this was coming as FoMoCo especially Ford of Europe is hell bent on going electric as it has been forced to by the EU.
What replaces the Fiesta and Focus? electric versions, but they take time to develop, the stop gap for them is the Mach E (refuse to call it by the other name) and a slew of VW based electric Fords like the Explorer.
Sadly Ford Australia has ZERO power within the Ford world, sure we have Everest, Ranger and Mustang soon to be joined by Mach-E together with Transit and Puma but everything else we had is gone, sad but its reality.
Not a zf but Ford's own eight speed torque converter auto with software trickery to skip a gear and make it a 7 speed.
Cheers for that info! It’s good regardless
man i wish this was available in the states this is badass. but 60k for a focus doesn’t seem so badass.
it would have been cheaper in USD thats for sure.. but a real shame it never made it over to the states
Shame its gone due to not much of sold. Due to popular of 4WD, ute and SUV :(
🥲rip
I know the purists would hate me saying but Ford missed the mark early on by not offering the focus or fiesta ST/RS variants with a dsg style option...End of the day having success in the car business comes from selling more cars and you look at the competition..
sad to see them go.. this was a very good hatch
No one bought them and when ever first focus size ev comes from ford, its not even on the same page in performance than these old ice cars. Maybe some base model is somewhere around this one, but there will be hot versions also.
Imagine spending $60k on this instead of a mk2 RS
I would always go the MK2 RS
They were just over $50k when first released.
Still spewing. I had ordered one of these back in feb 2022. And my order got canned in aug... Ended up with a cupra but still would have preferred one of these but ultimately would have loved an stx in a manual. Other then a i30 these days... Theres no options
im getting ready to test the new cupra born this week.. sad they didnt sell more of these in aus.. great car
@@RossReviewsau run. I hate my leon vzx. More issues then what its worth and no support from vag...
What’s the difference between the ST and STX
Think falcon fg-x
Just had a nicer interior, panoramic roof, bigger wheels, better headlights, adaptive dampers.. just a top spec basically
@@RossReviewsau thanks
Everyone here saying its a shame they don't make these anymore... I'm going to miss them as much as the population misses polio.
why..
Seems like a really nice car I can’t believe there’s only that many in a Australia.
Very nice! Shame it’s gone
Most people here would complain about being too low to the ground or it has no bull bar, or the tyres are too small.. the population here is toasted. They all go and buy whatever is advertised on the TV
Could be regulations.
Australia is full of junkie bogans.. they were all complaining about the fiesta st only being available as a 3 door and that it was manual only... One of the main reasons I chose the fiesta st over the focus was because it looks better because of the 3 doors.. these cars were never advertised on the TV so nobody really knows about them. Most people think my fiesta st is focus somehow 🤦🤡🥴
lack of awareness is true..
Heaps to answer from your review. Biggest question is, why didn't they sell- similar to many other Fords in Australia. You could blame it on marketing, generally that is the case when Ford once again cans another model. However, I think a lot has to do with the public and their perception of the brand. I like many others bleed blue, from memory the list from current to previous for me are Mk8 Fiesta ST, S550 Mustang GT, S550 Mustang Ecoboost, Fiesta Sport, Focus ST and currently have a granny spec Laser in the shed to preserve Ford's great history in this country. Minus the Ford diehards, there is a lot of negativity towards Ford in Australia. I don't know how many times I hear "but its a Ford" or "I'd never own a Ford" etc etc, it is so baffling, maybe a bunch of bitter Holden (RIP) fans out there, maybe everyone has moved on and prefer Korean/Chinese, I have no idea. Anyway, can't change the past, Escape is now on the way out, still can get one, it is basically a Focus SUV, go drive one, the 2.0L turbo petrol absolutely hauls. My girlfriend has a Puma ST-Line V and loves it, it is a very good drive, fingers crossed we see the ST one day. Until Ford can shake off this negative perception nothing will change Ford them, I mean, look at the reviews and awards their cars have earnt over the past 10 years, it certainly isn't the products fault for low sales..
The transmission problems killed them and SuVs...
Because of popular of SUV, 4WD etc. very sad!
If you legitimately wonder why people choose Korean/Chinese then you are absolutely clueless.
@@clintonoh3108 MG small or suv both made by china and MG is popular in Australia. It’s shame!
I’ve driven one , but I think the RS is still a level above the last gen focus st
Agreed RS is Better
welcome to north america..we havent had the focus or fiesta for nearly 5? 6? 8 years? I personally boycott anyone who dosnt sell small cars any more....and my list is getting bigger and bigger. Its not about performance for me its about selling variety and not forcing everyone into what "THEY" want....and the whole chip shortage B.S is false....its over there are no shortages any more...dealers are just purposly keeping inventory LOW so they can charge you MORE....i know...i work in sales at a hyundai dealership n we PURPOSLY DO NOT keep the lot full...meanwhile other dealers in my city are jam packed with new inventory
Ford is Going American .
With news in the UK that the Fiesta., Focus , C-Max plus the RS and ST marks are being scrapped .
Plus next year the Puma is going full electric .
Unless you want the Ford Puma and Kuga on Steroids .
To replace The ST ,Ford are introducing the "Raptor mark for the Kuga and Puma .
Plus if you still want a hot hatch then the only option then is fords Mustang mark by introducing the Shelby Mark-e Mustang
Have to agree. I don’t want electric or an SUV. I think Ford is making a big mistake
Thought it was an Audi at first glance. Damn
haha lot of people say hyundai
And we couldn't get these in North America because......?
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Awesome hatch 🐣
Both the Focus and Fiesta are getting discontinued worldwide. In favour of larger cars
RIP :(
It’s too bad we don’t get a new Focus RS.
that would have been nice eh
@@RossReviewsau more sad is hot hatches and cheaper sports cars a being phased out even though they are popular.
Looks like an i30 N
Hmmm a rare ford. Thats something...
Much prefer the old shapes tbh mK 2 and 3.5 much nicer looking cars.
i30 N better?
More engagement but this is nicer quality
Overpriced! Ford forgot their customer base.
it is but look at the price of everything
@@RossReviewsau Hi, to expand on what you said, I had a 2015 Focus ST2 which was £22k followed by a 67-plate ST3 which was £25k. Both leased!
Then when Ford released the MK IV the price jumped to £32k.
That was for a 2.3L engine that tore through fuel. That was because VW pitched the Golf GTi at over £32k because it's premium.
So for the same Ford to jump to £37-39k for adjustable coil overs is a joke. Adaptive damping should be adjustable from the cockpit!
The 2.3L lump produces 275bhp while it managed 350bhp in the previous gen RS!
Fords driving modes is no substitute for the i30N custom menu. But that was 25k then jumped to £35k with a mild facelift.
Then there is the Civic type R.
34k jump to 47k for incremental improvements.
Ha ha! The joke is on us.
I live in Edinburgh and have only rarely seen an i30N.
Haven't seen a Focus ST or a type R. A £47k type R!
People just aren't buying them!
@@RossReviewsau What do I drive? A VW Up GTi.
I rarely drive out of town.
40+mpg is a joyous sight on the trip computer!
@Ross Reviews this car is not worth the price it was sold at. It's a big step down from the 1 of 63 built 2021 ST3 that I own.
Given from the LH onwards the autos were absolute junk it is no surprise to be honest that these are going to the bin. I still have a 2012 LH with a reconditioned auto and touch wood it still drives as hard and responsive as it does. Doubt these were from the German plant.
And the mk8 GTI still gaps this car by a bus length.
21.75 ST3 Model has a far better exterior and interior fyi
Of course it is over seas...
Australia
@@RossReviewsau yeah that is overseas.
im extremely angry with ford australia i want my dream car ford focus rs blue and now they are gone wtf they need to buck their game up or they will lose us!
This ford focus, looks like i30N🤫
Similar
That's a damn Hyundai
Similar lights 😅
Looks like it straight copied audi's design lol
Open deck engines and trash transmissions happened 😩
what the hell it is automatic, I got a manual hahahaha
only Auto in Aus (STX)
Bye bye focus, we need a 2 door coupe 4 cylinder in ford's lineup, no 4cyl mustang, that's haram. Hello ZX2 v2?
Ford Australia’s bean counters ruining things again.
Sad but true 🥲
All that digital crap in the dash.
💪💪💪💪🇪🇺🇺🇲🇪🇺🇺🇲🇪🇺🇺🇲🇪🇺
what y'all complaining about US lost them in 2018 lol. I would've loved to see the Mk4 come to the US but no trucks and suvs dominate the market which is weird considering fuel costs, you would think they would being the smaller compacts back. Well now its the push for EV so goodbye to the modern car and gasoline engines.
This car is gone now so we can complain all we like 🥲😤 very sad how they left the US that was criminal also
@@RossReviewsau can't argue with that, it is a damn shame...
Looks like a Hyundai Accent
Shame its not a V8 and RWD😅.
it’s a focus what else did u expect
@@keesegotit72 We are watching Ross Reviews. Lol.
I’ve got some pretty cool rwd v8s and also a 147kw fiesta st, and a lot of times I grab the fiesta key because it just has something else to offer. Power isn’t everything
@@gtbtp2036 I was just pandering to his usual audience.
🤣 could you imagine