2019 Ford Focus ST | A true Golf GTI rival? | Autocar
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- With the 2019 Focus ST, Ford has added a range topping hot-hatchback to its current Focus range that comes brimming with features that its predecessors have never seen before, such as adaptive dampers, an eLSD and anti-lag turbo technology from the Ford GT. Could it be the best fast Ford of the recent crop?
New videos are uploaded to Autocar each week. Don't miss a single one. Subscribe now: smarturl.it/aut...
New Volkswagen Golf GTI review | Better than a Ford Focus ST? | Autocar: • New Volkswagen Golf GT...
Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup v Ford Focus RS: • Renaultsport Clio 200 ...
SPORTS CAR MEGA TEST: Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 v Ford Fiesta ST v Renaultsport Clio v DS3: • SPORTS CAR MEGA TEST: ...
Visit our website at www.autocar.co.uk
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
Follow AUTOCAR here:
LIKE Autocar on Facebook: bit.ly/2Jzyvh1
FOLLOW Autocar on Twitter: bit.ly/2JzABgT
FOLLOW Autocar on Instagram: bit.ly/2TIgvFI
Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/1UfAOCH
For car reviews you can trust, subscribe to Autocar: smarturl.it/aut...
This is the only Focus ST review I've seen so far that has so much technical information (without being boring) that a nerd like me loves to watch. Thanks for that!
I really appreciate you getting into the technical aspects of the LSD. Had many questions arise from watching other reviews and you were able to answer all. Well done
MK1 ST was the 2 litre 170ps based on the MK1 Focus....Not the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder MK2 Focus....
Indeed and as the engine was from Volvo, once Ford had sold Volvo, no more 2.5 5 Cylinder for the Mk3. Sad times, but still love the good old T5 in my C30 :D
Probably he did’t call it the mk1 ST because it wasn’t called the ST but the ST170.
Kylen_Gaming i had a mk2 focus ST great engine but fuel consumption to power output was shocking, thats why the t5 was dropped
@@redarmy1778 I don't get why everyone gets such poor fuel economy from theirs. Mine averages about 34-35 mpg overall, and a BMW M135i which is 10 years newer and in a lower emissions class, only does about 37 mpg with the same driving style. I've even managed 42 mpg on a motorway run!
@@dungareesareforfools I agree with Ste C and you both to an extent. Motorway driving or just mid speed cruising, it's not bad at all, like you say mid to high 30's. But, stick it in traffic on a morning commute like I did for several years in it or plant your foot and it just drinks fuel. Still I guess it's a sign of the times as to how old the engine is at this point compared to more modern engines, as I don't do massive mileage though I'll be keeping mine for a few years yet I think, I love the thing :)
I feel you might want to read up on fast fords a bit more before reviewing.... 5 cylinder mk1? And more torque than a mk3 RS? Mk2 was a 5pot and the mk3 RS has about 350lb/ft
Also super jealous you guys are getting the new focus (cries in Canadian)
well you guys have the shelby GT500 and we don't
so we're even :p
@@Frodokeuh yeah but those cars are in a complete different categories...
Ford messed up big time not offering anymore sedans in the USA. This is awesome. Can’t wait for the Focus RS
Americans don't buy them, it makes perfect sense on a financial standpoint.
Noah Damoose this isint a “sedan”......
I'm an American and I have a prior Gen Fiesta ST, 370Z, and a Genesis G80. I buy cars. Ford pulled out of cars in America because we won't pay the prices Ford asks.jist look at this Focus ST costing more than a I30 N. Ridiculous
@@swanblake The focus has a much better interior than the i30, its like night and day, coupled with the fact that the ford is actually faster. Its still cheaper than the golf gti. Im looking for a new car and have specd the i30N to 37k, ST to 40k, and GTI to 42k (Euros). Its right in the middle, coupled with amazing performance for the buck.
Blake Swan did u see that crazy Toyota Yaris Gmm something or other? Bonkers. We get fucked here. Grateful to have my Fiesta st for the 2 years they sold it
Finally....a proper review of the car. Well done guys!
Over two years ago, I bought a '17 Focus ST. Shortly after that, I heard that Ford was coming out with an updated ST for 2020 with more horsepower.
Great, I'll be ready for it! Some time later, Ford anounced that they were not building cars in North America after 2018.
Yeah, Ford, I understand why you made that decision but it wasn't like you weren't selling cars. Sorry if you weren't selling as many cars as Toyota or Honda but people were STILL buying Focuses. Maybe you should have just axed the Taurus and leave everything else. You did that for the Mustang so....
Sigh....
It's not that they weren't selling, it's that the profit margins were too thin. So basically they can't build them efficiently enough in the Usa and it costs too much to build them in Germany and still sell them here and make a profit. I had a Focus and Fiesta ST and I hate Ford for not selling them here. I get pissed every time the Ford dealer I bought my Focus from sends me a promotion for that eco sport turd😑 I don't think they understand the market they turned their backs on.
@Jonathan Bowen No, I understand and you're absolutely right but it's a short sighted outlook if you ask me.
@@tomtom255 2% profit isn't.worth selling it in usa
This is the first focus st that doesn't appeal to me at all and I don't know why. Back in the day really liked the st170 but didn't have kids and bought mk1 focus rs. Followed by the amazing sounding 2.5l 5cyl. Then I wanted the mk3 couldn't afford it so had a diesel ibiza :( this doesn't do it for me, maybe it's the colour or maybe I'm just happy with my 340i now
This would have been my next car here in the US. So disappointed Ford no longer selling the Focus or Fiesta here.
Focus RS had over 345 lb/ft of torque (470nm)... The ST therefore has significantly less!
Therefore. Easier on the front steering wheels in the wet
Honda’s ATTS system did that outside wheel vectoring in the Prelude 20 years ago.
Literally thinking the same thing
But the Prelude was not nice to drive corners.
Best review so far, talking about what viewers want to know, not about just looks and how much you can put in the boot!
Now that it cost the same as a Golf GTI there’s no excuse for the cheap interior.
whats cheap?
@@NyashaM Did you not watch the video?
Which one of these two cars have you ever owned??
saddist1Gtown I currently own a MK7.5 GTI Performance and I’m considering this Focus for my next car.
Tuners dream. Ford know what they are doing.
Some cars are built for people who want to make upgrades this is one of them.
Adam Fleming how so? is it a closed deck?
@@redarmy1778 he probably meant that it'll be easy to take it to the power of the old RS, but I wouldn't agree with 'tuners dream'. As far as I know this is the same block as the 2.3, so still open deck.
I'm in the US and had a 2013 ST that I ADORED. Can't believe this beauty won't be available! 😥
I didn't catch a description on torque steer
It's not a bargain though.
Why do I even bother watching this😡 I stopped watching it at min 1:54 , if you must know why!? Is because I'm I'm in the USA and this beautifully made machinery will not be seen here😤😤😤😤
unlucky my friend. there is no market in the US for hot hatches
Oh when Europeans start talking about perceived interior quality.... What is special about a GTI's center console plastics? I understand 10 years ago, but now it seems like they need to say that just to keep a tradition or something alive... Great video besides that..
What a fantastic review, brilliantly knowledge presenter.. really impressed..
This is one of the ugliest cars on sale right now in my opinion, it looks fat and bloated especially with the creases along the doors, also the grill is piggy and sits to far forward and the way they now write ‘FOCUS’ along the tailgate is just really tacky, really dropped the ball with this one Ford, the MK2 will always be the best for me...
Ford cars are always ugly.
Not true, the GT40, GT, Capri GT, Mustang 68 Fastback, there are plenty of nice Fords, the past year or so they have really dropped, now they all look like Kia’s from 5 years ago
@@Chris2010H I forgot to add ' In comparison with european cars'
veekay hmm I think it’s a matter of taste I personally love the previous Fiesta ST’s styling and the MK2 Focus ST and RS (maybe more for their engine though) also the escort cossie and sierra cossie were icons of their time too
Agreed on the mk2 Focus - the 3-door mk2 is the best looking Focus to date. However, I do think this new one is an improvement on the last - when you see it in the flesh it does look a lot nicer than in photos.
It's interesting what you say about Kias - in the last few years they've started making cars that look really nice and I've often wondered why Ford couldn't make stuff that looked that good. I have always thought they were kind of Ford clones though - sort of the reverse of what you said!
A lot of potential in Honda's 2.0L base engine. Even if the Focus can take on Type-R, Civic's base setup is the real one to beat.
Realistically, I highly doubt this ST can take on the Type-R. That thing kills every other hyper hatch on a track IIRC.
Would pick up the GTI in a heartbeat.!
More fun than a dull Golf GTi, but not as hardcore as a Megane or Civic. Wonder if Ford will bring out a more track-focused version of this?
Absolutely without a doubt one of the best motoring journalists around today, great stuff
You forgot the most important thing... the PRICE
Stephen Wood 33k sterling lok
Good car shame you don't know any specs and models in the Ford performance range
How come the EcoBlue diesel version of the new Focus ST isn’t available with the EcoBoost’s optional automatic gearbox? There must be a reason as to why this is.
Could be that the diesel has too much torque for the automatic gearbox. But that's just a wild guess.
Don Heuvelman Actually, the petrol - which is the only engine the auto ‘box can be specified with - makes 420Nm of torque, whereas the diesel makes 400Nm of torque.
So actually, seeing as the diesel makes less torque than the petrol version, the auto ‘box would actually be able to handle the torque output of the diesel.
And with what you just replied with proven wrong, what could be another possible reason as to why the EcoBlue diesel version of the new Focus ST can’t be had with its EcoBoost equivalent’s optional automatic gearbox?
@@joshbacon8241 But could it be that the Diesel has the torque in a mich lower rev range which the gearbox can't handle. If you put 400Nm of torque directly on a gear (like instant) or after a decent build up.. (again wild guessing here)
@@ardonjr even so, the torque in the diesel would take a lot more time to build up than in a petrol I reckon. Really weird why they aren't including it in the diesel. If anything, I believe that's the version in which it'd be bought more.
Yes well done mate nice review and plenty of info that’s what we want
2.5l focus st was 2nd gen fam
2.5T focus was the Mk2
This bloke is all over the place with bad facts.
why cant we have proper handbrakes
The 2.5 ST is the Mk2 and not the Mk1
plz make a review of the Hyundai i30N
Is it the same engine from the 2013 Mazda 3 MPS?
This car even looks like a 2013 Mazda 3.
the base is the same, but for the mk3 Rs (same engine) they sleeved it and changed internals and also many other things
Adam Riese like coolent leaks
Nearly forty years ago, I drove a Ford Capri 2.0S with 90 hp V6 near 81 miles on a road. The time I used with Capri on that lap, in fact, I don't think today's Focus will do it better.
not more torque than RS had. Rs 440 vs St 420 Nm. 2.5L was in mark 2 St not in mark 1
In britain for me it's essential the car can come with manual option. So yay this car with it's bells and whistles is awesome....
Why still no dual clutch transmission?? Scared to dissapoint?
Ford should bring the Ford Focus ST hatchback to India 🇮🇳.
2020 Ford Focus ST hatchback luks damn sexy & dope 🔥💓💎
Damn, looks sharpe, I can’t believe I can’t buy this in America anymore 😥
God damn this guy is the definition of the revenge of the nerds..
Prefer the LZ St, this one looks kinda Mazda-ey/Renault-ye and not as sleek and sporty. Are they still made in Germany?
The Hyundai i30N also has antilag technology
Oil pressure gauge is handy if it blows its head gasket.
I'm going to consider it if it has good DCT gearbox
Mate Marijan why would you ever go with an automatic over a manual?! If it's because you don't know how to drive a manual, trust me when I say this, just but the manual and learn how to drive it, you will thank me later
@@bradcarpenter1881 because I do 4000km a month and I've been driving manual all my life. I'm never buying manual again.
@Jonathan Bowen I'm not going to hold my breath with this manual though, the 10spd auto in the Mustang is pretty fucking slow. I'd much rather have a manual.
Another car we can't get in the US..... thanks for the big F-You from Ford North America.
Eric Jaye it's just mind blowing an American company unable to provide for their own country, just ridiculous
Too many people buying SUVs is to blame for that, plus Mexican built Ford's ain't all that and if someone wants a hatchback they will buy Japanese instead
agreed. The ignorant masses once wanted Full sized Pick up trucks to be car like. Then Soccer Mom's wanted Vans which then lead to SUV's which are noting more than bloated sedans because Mom needs to sit higher up and Dad can keep his pride because on the back it has "AWD" as his once Pick Up used
Ford North America is right... All the talk about not having this anymore in the US by people who do not own a Ford nor would buy one...
Ford knows the figures and if the excellent Fusion and Fiesta and Focus weren't selling there then why waste time?
All the motoring media in the US does is to fawn over Japanese brands with slave-like loyalty.
Hyundai made some of the worst cars in the past now because everyone buys them they are able to invest and employ ex BMW and Audi engineers to fix their performance and reliability issues but the same people who buy them knocks German cars oh really? Yes, Fords of the past were horrible too but everyone still brings this up but not the other manufacturers who have also made bad cars.
Fords and made and tuned and engineered in Germany and other countries but they stay consistent with the Ford DNA not so Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda.
Americans are too busy buying SUVs and pick-up trucks so it's their fault, not Ford's, that the US doesn't get cars like the Focus ST.
Man I have owned GTIs but they are just ugly now! This looks miles better
really sad we wont get this in the states
Actually, pushed hard the Golf GTI had a much better chassis on the previous version. These fast Fords are getting way too expensive IMO knocking on the premium end. Unfortunately customer service and the inherent quality of the car simply isn't there IMO.
ChawenHalo 008 Golf GTIs arent that much better with quality to the mk4, its pretty much same territory. I think the opinion in this video pretty much sums it up - match on usability and beat on driving experience. Also, remember that it’s ford, you’re going to get a decent discount.
@@bart2ozor Good point about the discount. I'd still rather go for some sort of BMW at that price though although a Hyundai I30N would be sweet for a fwd...
The GTI's chassis is really weak, it can be seen in laptimes compared to its rivals and it's one of the main reasons the R is so sluggish on a track.
And I don't understand how 32k for this car is expensive, this is basically a full option car because they only offer it in the highest trim level. The previous one when fully loaded was 31k. Granted you'll be paying much less because Ford dealerships frequently offer sizeable discounts, but I quoted those list prices so you can get an idea.
@@xIcarus227 sorry mate but I just don't agree with you there. The mk7 GTI chassis is far more sophisticated and you can tell when you push hard. Thats why for the for the Clubsport S GTI they only had to recalibrate it. The R does bot have the same suspension settings at all and weights far more than the GTI.
@@chawenhalo0089 the MQB platform is designed to be modular and lightweight, not stiff. That's why it's not 'sophisticated' in any way in a performance setting. The chassis bends too much, and the GTI and R understeer because of it.
You don't have to agree with, it's simply objectively worse than what's found under the Megane RS or the Focus ST in a sport situation.
Cupra 290 has same diff as gti performance, sorted chassis, better interior and dsg for the same price. Also Michellin Pilot Sport 4 (and if these are 19 inch would be 4S) are not midrange. Cup 2s may be slightly better in the dry but in the wet they have to compromise. Therefore these are the best road tyres for the car. A lot of these reviews are obviously bias and do not help consumers.
Ther 290 starts from 29k GBP, I'm quite certain that if you match it spec for spec for this ST it's going to be more expensive. Remember that this ST is basically full option aside from a few things.
Can't find a Cupra configurator though.
It’s like they forgotten the I30N exists (and others btw - Cupra for example) and because Renault and Ford have their updated hot hatches available now it’s ‘business as usual’. Thankfully, I’m not a lemming.
Let's see a track battle then
it has nice comfy ´pads for the knees....thats not cheap...4:48
Is it more smiles per dollar than the i30N
Looks like a mazda 3 speed
I don’t like this front grills shape and the lower grill colour
They should make a diesel version and call it focus std
😂😂😂😂😂
love it
I've had an STD before the focus one was made
Jeremy Clarkson laughs 6 years ago
5:53 don't tell me you get the same pleasure as I do randomly lifting the gear shifter underside like when you wanna put it it in reverse 🤣
That thing is so absolutely satisfying to do, I can't seem to stop doing it.
I’m a Ford guy myself. I’d have a Golf GTI over this. Or rather the outgone Focus RS with a few miles on the clock.
Haha you say your a Ford guy but then instantly after say you'd have a Golf Gti over this, what a fucking dick 😅😂
@@mattws5784 nope, you don't get it. not the sharpest tool in the shed huh?
@@jochem1986 haha don't twist it, the next thing you'll be saying is your a Bugatti man but you'd have a Ferrari over one of them, your a fucking idiot 😂😂
@@mattws5784 Cool it with the insults, they are unfounded. I'd have a Golf over this, because I think it looks better and is a better choice for every day driving. That does not change the fact that I'm a Ford guy. But I'm not a fanboy who needs to have the Ford each and every time, if there are better alternatives.
Nope , GTI is better in every single way , including Interior quality and other daily maintain advantages .
About the time Ford decides the USA hates sedans and hatches, they give a better Focus with a better interior with a bigger engine with an
LSD with adaptive dampers.... to Europe.
cant wait for the rs
Great looking car
Have they improved the car’s security?
I think that since April all new Fords come with a key that sleeps after 40 seconds of inactivity to mitigate scanners.
Cougarsamurai good news, as it’s all great having extra performance tech, but if you can’t keep it on your drive it’s no good. 👍
@@mikerayner5938 Haha I hear ya. That's why my cars are always kept in a locked garage.
"slippy" diff.....why do these English reviewers keep calling them slippy diffs? It's the opposite of a slippery diff. It limits the slippage.
Mazda 3 ?
First time I've seen this guy and he is already my favourite car reviewer. Well done mate..
The Rs has 350hp and 350trq...that st only has 310trq
@Jonathan Bowen you think he.paid attention to his own words??...i know what i heard him say
@Jonathan Bowen so we both heard it...in America th Rs 350trq..i don't know when 310 was a bigger number
Did it just blow blue smoke 5:38
That's very clearly tyre smoke lol, it's coming from the front of the car.
he said he can't think of another hot hatch with anti-lag lol don't make me laugh the i30n had it first out of all the hot hatches ford just copying them. I bet ford is so jel that they didn't hire Albert Biermann.
No it isn’t a new 2.3l engine!
John Smith yeah Ford already confirmed it’s the same engine that was in the R.S, all be it with new internals and revised cylinder head. It’s not a new engine.
@@JMB1891 an 'engine' is much more than its block. The block may be the same but basically everything else is different, like you helped point out yourself.
i30n has anti-lag
Is true is better of that gti.
Awesome car 👌
Not so AfFordable anymore...
I'd rather have the RS3, thanks
Don’t like the alloys 😕
For me, a 21st century car using the ancient manual transmission is just a big no no. Changing gears with paddle shifters is fast, fun and way more comfortable, especially on winding roads and in heavy traffic. I can't help thinking that Ford and Honda don't use twin clutch transmissions or fast classic tranny like ZF8, because they simply are behind Vw or BMW in this area.
This makes me think of why no one can tell me why my focus does not run
Almost fell asleep...😶
The ST has always been a better rival of the GTI....
Not really, and I like Ford's hot hatches. The last ST was really fun, but the rest of the car was a bit underwhelming.
@@xIcarus227 Except really.
You Brits really should call an open diff "slippy", not a lsd.
Was it not already a GTI rival lol?
isn't this 2020 focus?
Not in Europe
A focus ST would clap a GTI
Not the clubsport or tcr. Only the basic one, by small margin. 35hp difference.
Would take a Golf GTI over this any day of the week
Steve Frampton exactly! Interior is shocking! You know you’re in a Ford!
A bot unfair, as the current GTI is on the way out. The Mk8 will piss all over this rental grade econobox.
@@steveframpton6079 because you don't like driving
just hate the styling. Why not get the fiesta or golf
Golf sucks balls and the fiesta is smaller
Lorenzo Clara I’ve seen you shitting on Golfs on 2 posts now, have you ever drove a GTi though pal? You don’t have a clue what your talking about if you think a GTi ‘sucks balls’? Go away.
@Steve definitely not
Not sold in USA so no interest.
Interested enough to click on video and then make a comment...
tj323i
But made no attempt to watch. Was in my way so had to click over it.
Looks fat!
Sandman GTI kthxbai
Electronic sound enhancement. As soon as I heard that it put me off. Getting beyond a joke with these gimmicks in cars these days, along with fake exhaust pipes on VWs and Mercs etc. Id be embarrassed driving a premium car with obviously fake looking trim in the bumper to look like exhaust pipes, yet Mercedes dont seem to understand this, especially when they are aiming their cars at professionals and not youngsters who have just passed their test. Doesn't make sense. Im 50 and wont buy into this nonsense. I dont care what badge is on the front so long as it sounds real and looks real. Interesting to note the five cylinder ST and RS Focus didnt have any of that nonsense going on. Its all fashion and silly trends aimed at snowflake millenials these days.
LSDs are best bought not caught 🙈🙈
Ahh 360p my old friend...
Thought Ford pulled the plug on the focus. Anyway with its history of engine problems I wouldn't buy one.
That's only the case in North America. In places where fuel efficiency is more of a concern, Ford continues to offer cars such as Focus and Fiesta.
@@vossler360 Ford is really taking the piss in NA, I'm not surprised people think that way over there.
I have a 2016 mk3 St and it looks way better than the mk4 st
They'll still never eat the Golf Rs lunch. Simply because it's a Ford, with the whole ownership experience that goes with it. Raised their game though.
Why does a car with an e-LSD have a track mode option?
A James why not?
@@ALMX5DP It doesn't fully disengage traction control, which would hinder track enjoyment.
A James the ELSD is separate from traction control. If this car allows you to, like previous Foci, you can turn TC all the way off.
Fuckin great review!
Ford hot hatch = no heritage and no evolutionary development. Porsche and Volkswagen deserve all the praise for those points. Perhaps if these cars weren’t built to check the box in certain categories and were actually built with a long term outlook for people who love driving, they would be more in demand in the US. Case in point; what happened to SVT? Now it’s ST. I could relate to SVT. What is ST? Euros - please just don’t buy this car so Ford can devote more funds to selling trucks and SUV’S. Thanks.
No heritage. Lol. You have no clue.
@@Nakke144 clue yourself in to what cynicism is.
Did it pop at 8:13 ?!
yes !!!!
It’s as dull as dish water inside. Unless you go for the bright orange exterior, it just looks bland to look at. And at £32k it’s not affordable lol.
So basically the new Mazdaspeed 3 since ford is using parts/design of the old 13 Mazdaspeed since it kept rights on the 2014 Mazda ford divorce.
Is it a nice looking car.....I dont see it myself, convince me