Ford Focus ST 2015-2019 in-depth review - Carbuyer
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2025
- Ford Focus ST review: carbyr.uk/1GwVce5
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The Ford Focus ST is the high-performance version of the standard Ford Focus hatchback, but it has an eye on everyday usability as well. As a result, it’s not only blisteringly quick in a straight line, but also comfortable and refined. The car’s suspension strikes a great balance between sharp handling and comfort, while the engine sounds quiet at low revs. Unlike the old Focus ST, the current model is only available as a five-door, but this time around it comes as an estate, too, which means it’s more of a family car than ever before. It's also cheaper than many of its main rivals.
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I’ve had a diesel st for 2 years and I still enjoy every time I drive it, it’s not always about quality but how it feels to drive
The sound doesn’t come through the speakers, it’s real induction noise fed through the cabin by a sound symposer. And the seats do fold flat.
The sound does come through the speakers on Euro models, only the American Facelift ST's got a real Sound Symposer.
THE REAR SEATS DO FOLD FLAT. This car has been out for nearly 8 years and people STILL cant fold those seats lmao. I own one, hey fold flat you knob.
Yes the fold flat, its so easy. Cant beleive people think they dont fold
To this day I still think this one of the best looking modern cars out there and I’ve wanted one for ages !! My fiancé has a standard 1.5 diesel Focus in this shape and it’s an awesome car and never failed so I’m guessing this would be even better
As an owner, I can confirm the back seats do go flat. You first need to pull the back seat benches forward from inside the car then you can lay the backs down flat.
The seats do fold flat you fold up the bottom and then fold the top down
Cameron Campbell Thank you! Saved me from commenting that
They fold flat?! Definitely getting this car then. What do you mean fold the bottom?
I know that our two Titanium hatchbacks have flip up rear seat cushions, which allow you to fold the seats flat. Page 120 of the owner's manual (2015+). No idea if the ST has these too.
... oh yes they got it: ua-cam.com/video/_DVzoR026_I/v-deo.html
Ford really must do a terrible job of PR, I’ve heard this false statement more than once. I’m surprised that Carbuyer doesn’t correct this...considering that with the benches flip,up the load floor is actually massive and perfect for the IKEA run. I’d also note that my ST3 has front recaros; in the USA we don’t get recaro rears; so we do get a standard rear-seat armrest.
If your getting a hot hatch. Is fuel economy the top of the list? Probably not! I will always choose the petrol
You might be underestimating the fun that can be had in a powerful Diesel.
However, the problem in this particular case is that the Diesel version has 65 less horsepower; I'd choose the petrol just because of that fact alone, it's not even up for debate.
Well, no but some people who will drive mainly motorway miles might look at this car in a diesel but still want something fun to drive
Thanks James. Finally a UK focus ST review. The RS seems to get all the press and reviews but is not a high selling family car which can also be fun. Focus ST fits that category perfectly and deserves more press.
ST3 owner, with 19" wheels -car is fantastic, not the fastest on 4 wheels but it is very chuckable and leaves a lot of cars in the weeds. RS too hard core for me because I can only afford one car, and this is the one for me!
A warm hot hatch ? 😂 it’s got 247bhp going through the front wheels ! The torque steer is terrible but it makes the car feel alive ! And it’s definitely not slow ! It’s a fantastic car 👍
In sport mode, the torque steer is non existent
Think they need to try the 250bhp petrol they are stupid fun and not much keeps up. Doing a review of an ST in the diesel version and reviewing it like it's a family car 🤦♂️
Who the fuck buys a Diesel ST?!!
50% are ST diesel in europe, MK3,5 model.
Those who do more "Autobahn" on a regular basis or simply commute more at medium or slightly longer distances. But yea it is a bit weird sometimes with the Diesel "Hot hatches" like e.g. the golf GTD. But even the Alpina 3 series is available as a diesel as well - and it should be extremely good, covering both sport and economy.
Many people actually and in honesty it's a much better fit for the car than the petrol. It's not as hardcore as say the fiesta it's softer and the torque if the diesel makes it surprisingly quick. That's the one to have.
Who buys an automatic?!!!
Agreed. I own the petrol one but have tried the diesel one. Totally different car. The petrol one is FAR, far superior!
You can fold the seats fully flat, you need to reach down the back of the seat bottoms of the rear seats (where the seatbelts click in) and fold the seat bottoms up, (they end up sitting vertically against tbe drivers seat), then you can fold the seats fully flat (:
I know most prefer the petrol, but I have a friend with a diesel remapped to 240bhp and 440nm, has around 60k miles on it with that tune so it's also reliable with that tune. Fuel economy also got better with the remap. Closes the gap a lot, I'm still after the petrol though👍
What is it with 'scratchy plastic '? I've had this car (petrol ST3) for 3 years & I've never even noticed the plastics. The back seats do fold flat. The engine noise is not pumped in via the speakers!
I love my Focus Zetec S, and I'd love an ST model as my next car.
I have a 2016 Focus Titanium diesel and it's actually the forward visibility which concerns me more than the rear. The windscreen pillars are thick and create quite a blind spot, and all the sensors for the auto lights/wipers etc are, as shown in your test car, in the centre of the windscreen, and the casing really obscures forward views for me (I'm a 6 footer).
Having been in my friend's Golf GTD, I note that all their sensors are now neatly positioned behind the VW badge. The rear view mirror is also frameless, so this helps a lot with forward visibility. It is also surprisingly comfortable.
You've done a review of the car 2 years after it was released.
This is the best in its class. I love the looks of it and in black is gorgeous ☝️
The sound does not come through the speakers. The symposer is a resonating device on the firewall.
it was on mk2 as well
In the European model, after the 2015 restyling, the old symposer system was deleted. And the sound came from the speakers.
In the american model, they keep using the old system.
@Mark Jones if your car is from Europe, it doesn't have the old symposer system. It have some kind of electronic generated sound.
If your car is from USA, it has the old system, with piping from the engine to the firewall.
Great review, but coverage for the neutered diesel isn't what a lot of us would come for. Took 75% of the review to found that out.
Wish you had reviewed the petrol version 😕 but nevertheless a good review like always. You have improved so much on your presentation and filled the gap nicely since Matt left. Keep up the good work mate 👍😜
Don’t knock the diesel it’s actually very good and fun to drive
Image if they called the Desiel version the STD ?
So you get rear parking sensors as part of the £2000 top spec pack?
Really?
Most modern cars NEED them because rear visablity is an afterthought.
The US version has a rear fold-down arm rest but no rear parking sensors. Not sure why there is a difference in these areas.
The rear seats can be put flat 🙈
What wheels are those? They're perfect
I'm so close to buy one in white (very good deal). How is the audio system tho?
Sound isn’t pumped through speakers, smh. It’s a channeled from the induction manifold to the cabin via symposer.
Benjamin Klepeiss that was way to stupid to hear, pumpes through the speakers looooooll
After the 2015 restyling, the old system was deleted in the european model. The sound come from the speakers.
Looking at one now, identical to the one reviewed here. As I do miles diesel is best, even though my current car is a petrol.
Have the Petrol version of this, horrendous fuel economy, up to 30MPG is the highest i've seen, typically around 24-25MPG, although it really goes like the stink.
Just get a diesel version stage 1 Puma speed gets u 235 bhp with 490nm
They all bang on about cup holders
Does the automatic have paddle shifters?
Great review as usual!
They should have called it the ST D.
Diesel ST.... I was thinking this was the petrol review until I saw the gear shifter. 😕
Two trims are called st2 & st3 , then Theres the diesel called the STD
Pretty cool that you can get an Estate ST in the UK.
Satnav isn't standard on the ST2, it was an option added on mine.
You're reviewing a hot hatch yet you pick the diesel version with the lower performance? You also stated several things which are incorrect; The rear seats DO fold completely flat if you actually fold the bottom half of the rear seat down. The engine sounds is also NOT pumped in through the speakers it uses a sound symposer that feeds in through the top of the dash. Also the ST3 trim level adds Xenon headlights.
The sound IS pumped through the speakers after this 2015 restyling. In European models. Old system was deleted.
Can't remember the last time someone used an arm rest in my car, or the last time I used one in someone else car. I find they are usually made with plastic fixings, making them quite flimsy to rest your arm on.
Diesel gate and huge fines being sorted out in NA with volkswagen. In Europe govt's still covering up the exact same emission issues that is costing volkswagen huge fines. Even worse in Europe all manufacturers including BMW, Merc and others are continuing to enjoy govt loopholes, engine software defeat devices... I'm assuming not many aware of this.
I owned 2015 ST mk3.5 petrol hatch. I was able to fold the rear seat flat. Test it more carefully 😉
Why does the diesel ST put out so little power? There are normal family diesel cars that will beat this car 0-60.
should stick with 18" alloys, 19"s are very harsh ride and cost extra. ST-3 with manual control is the best option.
Can't believe you tested the diesel, if your gonna test an ST do it properly or not at all.
Why is it automatic though?
Why the hell does the US version not have recaro rear seats
Brilliant review!
Ha ha - love the avoidance of the 'c' word when putting a packet in the glove compartment! Excellent review, as always. 👍
Why would the trim around the gear stick get annoying, how many people would sit fondling it? And small side mirrors! Have you looked at a Seat Leon side mirror? That's small, and oddly shaped for the job it's meant to do.
I like my ST3 petrol manual!
I have the Seat Leon 2.0 tdi 184 FR, and while the handling is not as sharp or as engaging as the the focus, its not far off, it also has a much better aesthetic both inside and out, more power and under cuts the focus on price.
The Leon is very fun to drive. But people will always be brand snobs when it comes to the Golf GTI.
It's called post-purchase dissonance, they purchase a GTI and try to assure each other that they made the right choice.
Best all-rounder?the octavia vrs diesel is better in everyway
Have u driven the st diesel
The rear seats bottoms fold up allowing the top portion to fold down flat giving you more room in the trunk :). Good video!
Pretty car, but better in manual. I'm lovin it!
Marcel Jeźdz
Im interested in this one, and I'm torn between this, Audi A3 S line, and BMW 1, doesn't the big dill out dated infotainment system getting annoying to use/look at?
Well i love my st-3 diesel plenty of power cheap tax good mpg plenty of creature comforts great options for mapping nice alrounder 👍
You have to lift the rear row of seats forward than but the seats down then it will like completely flat
Fuzza! Yeah, the seat squabs lift up to allow the backrest to lay flat. Just make sure the front seats aren't too far back otherwise this won't work.
Boot size is massive....if you've just upgraded from a C2
i drive like a grandmother and i average 26.1 mpg at BEST with the petrol , i don't understand the euro fuel economy testing cycle.
this car been out long time now you review it lol you can fold the rear seats completely flat
Exactly, like you say.....after all, it is a hot hatch.
This guy goes through me.
It's a diesel with and auto and does 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds. Thought this review was supposed to be about a hot hatch?
wait what? an Auto diesel ST??
Well ford needed some time to sort out this button chaos on the dash. I love that new interior!
Why on earth would you test the diesel? Why do they even make a diesel ST?
Don’t knock it it’s actually good
Didn't know they came auto
And the sound is not pumped through the speakers. Do your research.
You probably come from the USA. In your market, you have the old symposer. Intake sound trough a tube with an electronic valve. But, in the European market, after the 2015 restyling, that system was deleted. And the sound was digitally made trough the speakers.
Lift the rear seat base up and the seats fold flat... Just so you know haha
Having an ST for a year, for the value of the money and the money you pay is a very nice car.I would never try an Opel., YES GTI is better build inside but is more expensive also. I don't understand why people compare the ST with Megane rs or ww r that's another league.I have on the car 19-inch wheels, leaving in Europe where the roads are not always perfect.. nevertheless suspension is very good.The diesel version is rubbish compared with the benzine one.Consumption 11/100km inside the city.. motorway ..:) depends on how you drive, the lowest was 7.5 with 130 km /100 for 200 km constant speed.Do I regret the ST?never?I have the estate version and is so much fun driving it.
Seats.. for me GREAT, long roads comfort GOOD.
Advice: try one, I know few people ww fans but once they got to drive an focus they fell in love.
Tomas Suberek how is the reliability of your ST ? Considering buying one
It's funny that mr Batchelor would test the Focus STD. And indeed, it does seem pretty easy to get ones large loads in there :)
I have never put crisps in my glove box....
Yes it is the world's best hot hatch all rounder.
😂😂😂
Haveto raise the headrests to fold flat
I think Mat Watson didn't do the test is because they got the boring diesel engine with automatic gearbox to review
wow! powershift st amazing!
only pitch copy bake practically virtual blue grip.
Love that he didn't say "crisps" ahahah
Well done James!
Pick up the bottom seats and the top seats fall flat lmao I own one
ford focus st coming soon in bangladesh showroom ok
i would go for the gti instead
So the backsits pull up and over and you can lay them flat .and you have to take off the head rests #savethemanuels
Love this
ST diesel 2017 dont have speakers fake sound
ST buyers know they getting stiffer suspension that’s what makes it a hard ride 🥴
They should put either a different exhaust or front grill etc for the petrol and diesel models so you can tell which ones which. Cos if its a diesel you can drive past and laugh at the driver haha
Someone please teach him to drive a MANUAL!!! What a car sin, Im gunna BARRRRRFFFF!@@@!!!@@!@!
OK seriously....... i have a Focus ST and the amount of times i hear that when you fold the back seats down its not flush... if you actually werent dumb,, u can fold the bottom seats up then fold the back seats down making it flush!
1:20 😂👍
Automatic???
2013 has a much shinier interior
Funny how the sheep have changed direction. "Who buys diesel anymore?" Hilarious.Bar! Bar!
Matt Watson should do this review instead on Carwow
BMWM5VOLKSWAGENWGOLFGTI C'mon if you want to see Matt you watch his chanel.
As an American it's really odd to see an ST in an auto.... It's basically a sin
Golf GTI interior is not very nice dull
boring cloth seats not very sporty over hyped car and way over priced
Listen here mate...
You clearly don't know how to review a car. The seats do fold completely flat. The diesel is quicker off the mark than the petrol. And it's still a bloody great car to drive abd own...
Great review, not my kind of motor.
The diesel is quick but the ride is to firm
C Otter you dont buy a Focus ST for the ride comfort . You buy it for the fun of it and the practicality !
had one 6 months handed it back
DB3 paint had bubbles in stitching came out of the seats and. A lot more problems
owen chappell wow! Thats an unusually bad experience. Monday copy I guess? I had 4 new Fords and They were all awesome. Except the 2013 KA but that was an outdated old model the new KA is brilliant!
IceDan we have had a brand new cmax fiesta focus kuga and eco sort but that is going after a year and getting a fiesta vignale
owen chappell nice! I have driven most of the ford line and owned 2012 Focus 1.0 eco, 2013 Ka, Focus Rs 2.3 eco, and the new Ka. I have rented a kuga for a month 2 years ago and I loved it!! You must be happy with Ford if you stick with it for so many cars
Bro your head has the noce