Ford Focus ST 2021 Review

Missing in action for some 18 months prior to its arrival Down Under in 2020, the Ford Focus ST burst onto the scene extensively enhanced and immediately stamped itself as a genuine hot hatch option that can take it to the best Europe and Asia have to offer.

Based on the family-friendly five-door, five-seat Ford Focus, the ST enjoys all the room and practicality that appeals in a small hatch but with a feisty 2.3-litre turbocharged powerplant with more-than-zippy performance.

Historically, the Ford Focus ST has been largely outshone by the charisma and performance of its Fiesta ST and Focus RS siblings. But the ST now packs a big punch, and it sure needs to, as the fire-breathing four-wheel drive RS is unlikely to return – making the Focus ST the top dog in the Ford hot hatch hierarchy.

The hot hatch market is not exactly sparse so there’s no room to hide for the ST, particularly when it’s up against the best of the best: the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Hyundai i30 N, Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane RS, for example.

But the Focus ST is more than a match – on paper at least – and it now comes with a choice of automatic and manual transmission.

With its arrival, maybe Ford can finally get the kudos it deserves for making great hot hatches. 

The 2021 Ford Focus ST is offered in twin transmission variants, and both the six-speed manual and seven-speed auto are identically priced at $44,890 plus on-road costs.

The only options are a sunroof ($2500) and metallic paint ($650).

At the heart of the Focus ST is a potent 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine – a detuned version of that found in the Focus RS – that delivers a stellar 206kW/420Nm driving through an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential to the front wheels.

Traction is further aided by the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport rubber and adaptive dampers which adjust to suit driving style and road conditions.

Recaro supplies the bolstered sports seats which are thankfully set at a tolerable level and the racing feel continues with a flat-bottomed, leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity feature along with an 8.0-inch touch-screen with inbuilt sat-nav and voice activation.

Ford hasn’t skimped on the sound system either, with the audio heard through a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen unit.

Interestingly, adaptive cruise control and speed sign recognition are only available in the auto variant, with the manual having to make do with conventional cruise even though they share the same price tag.

Australians love their high-performance cars and that’s why you should buy the 2021 Ford Focus ST.

As a nation we tend to purchase the ‘hot’ variant of whatever vehicle we’re in the market for, and that’s evident by having the highest per capita sales of Porsche GTs, Audi RS variants, Mercedes-AMGs and BMW Ms in the world.

If we look to the small car genre, Australia is also one of the biggest markets globally for the Volkswagen Golf R and Renault Megane RS full stop, and while Ford may have dropped from front of mind when thinking ‘hot hatch’, the Focus ST has definitely entered the ring fighting and can more than match up to the aforementioned heavyweights of the class.

Its performance for a front-wheel drive with over 200kW is exceptional and who needs all-wheel drive when it can lap our Norwell Motorplex test track in 64.1 seconds – less than half a second slower than an Audi S3 quattro!

Talk about bang for buck without compromise, the ST has a ‘racy’ feel whilst not being too over the top, and enjoys all that comes with the practicality of a small hatch body style.

To be honest, I can’t think of too many cons that would persuade you away from buying it! The only choice is do you go manual or auto?   

The 2021 Ford Focus ST appeals absolutely to the hot hatch buyer. It is a real alternative to the historical front-wheel drive kings of the class and, dare I say it, perhaps a genuine alternative to the all-wheel drive monsters like the phased-out Ford Focus RS.

If you’re targeting this segment then you’re more of an enthusiast who perhaps does the odd track day or, like most Aussies, just wants something that little more special than the run-of-the-mill.

I must admit I’m a typical traditionalist in that cars should only drive the rear axle (or both), but I tell you what, the Focus ST’s chassis dynamics almost makes me eat my words.

The development of high-output engines in front-wheel drive layouts has been extraordinary in recent times and you would be hard pressed to notice that the fronts are doing all the work – beyond pushing past 10/10ths on the racetrack.

The ST’s ability to put the power down without excessive understeer, torque steer or wheel spin is a triumph in engineering and is perhaps even good enough to persuade the all-wheel drive buyer to cross to the ‘dark side’.

The Ford Focus ST functions perfectly as an everyday driver, and whilst the firmer ride and more aggressive engine characteristics are hinted at in true hot hatch style, they’re by no means over the top and are arguably more ‘under the radar’.   

I absolutely loved my time in the Ford Focus ST. I was lucky enough to sample both the manual and automatic transmission versions back-to-back – and, yes, I did cut a lap in both.

I’ll put you out of your misery and get straight to the lap time. There was only a tenth in it – the manual clocked 64.1 and the auto 64.2 seconds. That stacks up against the lap times of the Audi S3 (63.75), Volkswagen Golf R Wagon (65.77), Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce (66.12) and the Ford Fiesta ST (65.77). 

The auto version of the Ford Focus ST is slightly heavier at 1562kg versus 1536kg for the manual, which normally equates to a 0.2sec gain around Norwell, but the auto recovers the time in the speed of its shifts.

I couldn’t pick any difference between them and I’m glad I don’t have to choose. But rest assured you won’t be disappointed with either decision.

The auto actually let me downshift into my desired gear under brakes – unlike some more conservative boxes – and the manual shifter is precise enough even if it is a little far away from the steering wheel.

The Ford Focus ST has also finally got a respectable seating position sorted, the steering is super-direct and the brake pedal is perfectly weighted.

The engine’s torque and power characteristics are befitting a zippy hot hatch and the chassis balance is surprisingly neutral. The LSD does a really good job at sorting the power down and the lap times speak for themselves.

“The RS King is dead, long live the ST King!”  

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.    

How much does the 2021 Ford Focus ST cost?
Price: $44,890 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km – manual, 8.8L/100km – auto (ADR Combined)
CO2: 188g/km – manual, 200g/km – auto (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)