Some say Ford's ST models are not so much "hot hatch" as "warm hatch". They're not designed to thrill you with scorching performance, according to this school of thought just give you a bit more power and a slightly sportier ride without the social stigma of being seen out and about in a boy racer. Well, this new Focus ST EcoBoost feels distinctly hot to me, says Chris Knapman in The Daily Telegraph.
The Focus has had a midlife facelift, and the fast flagship version gets additional refinements. The tweaked exterior looks more aggressive and the interior has been tidied up. The engine has no more oomph than before, but the 2.0-litre, turbo engine was "not exactly what you'd call lacking" anyway, says Knapman. The result is a car that is "terrific fun" to drive.
The engine is a "gem", the steering well weighted, the gearshift slick, and, driven along a twisting road, the ST is a "real joy". It's up against some tough rivals in the form of the VW Golf GTI and the Skoda Octavia vRS. But it's keenly priced bordering on a bargain.
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James Taylor of Car drove the estate version of the same car and found it "every bit as nimble as the hatchback". The facelift has quietly turned the Focus "from something of a rough diamond into a far more cohesive, well-rounded package".
You can buy petrol and diesel variants, but buyers of the Ecoboost model which combines turbo and fuel injection systems to improve fuel economy without compromising performance will have more fun: it is the more rewarding car to drive.
Price: from £22,195Engine: 1,997cc, four-cylinder, turboPower: 247bhp at 5,500rpmTorque: 266lb ft at 2,000-4,500rpm0-62mph: 6.5 secondsTop speed: 154mph
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