Ford Focus ST 2021 Review: The MOST UNDERRATED Hot Hatch of 2021

[@CarSauce]

What do you think of the Ford Focus ST? Has it been forgotten?

[@grantorino9049]

Dunno no need for this car with 2021 i30N DCT available :D

[@sjb2471]

Yep, like all Fords other than Ranger in this country. It’s a shame - the German Fords are some of the best cars in their class, but Australians are very slow to change their thinking…

[@grahambrown2102]

Not by me. Just ordered a limited spec ST3 not due to arrive until Feb 2022. Your review affirms that I've made a great decision. Loved the excitement Matt. Very comical.

[@stevehastings6802]

Had ours a year now, only ever seen 2 others on the road in the UK..

[@azadr9231]

I have the 2020 model with the analogue gauge cluster. I absolutely love it, no issue no niggles, beast of a car and a joy to drive. It can be a boring daily if you want it to and a hooligan if you so desire. The suspension is fantastic, even in sport it is completely bearable. After a year and 15K of driving I am getting 9.7L/100km fuel economy with 30% freeway and 70% stop start traffic. I am really glad I bought it and I will keep it until Ford makes a better version of it which I sadly think might be electric or hybrid.

[@kelbell275]

9.7 yikes 😮

[@markg7834]

I live in the US and bought a 2014 ST new. Over the last 50 years, I've owned a boatload of hot cars from Corvettes to Porsche 911s. The ST is the best car I have owned. What a shame that we can't get the new ones here. I love the fact that I can stuff my bicycle in the back of this thing or hang it off the back end on my trailer hitch bike rack. Yes, I can tow a light weight trailer with the ST and still get 29 MPG! Can't do that with a 'Vette or a 911.

[@stevekinney7423]

I believe the under stated exterior with a subtle colour is exceptionally cool.

[@michaeldouaihy7200]

I bought an Orange one in auto because of you, Matt. Absolutely love it!!! 😍😍😍

[@TheHayabusa09]

So glad that you have left Nepean Highway and ventured to the Eastern districts...Yes, that is Punt Road and just a stone throw away from my house...respect from Dubai!

[@CarSauce]

Watch this space, Nepean highway is on the out :D

[@DeathKillaGaming]

So mad they didn’t bring this out in USA... I would of traded my 14 focus st for it

[@marcoskhan6665]

getting one soon, belgien here. Compared it with other brands and this one just has it all.

[@derekdalton5658]

You should trademark the phrase "give it some sauce".😂🌭 & print it on t-shirts.

[@CarSauce]

Good idea :D

[@JeffNuts]

More excited for the facelifted i30 N

[@CarSauce]

Can't wait for it either!

[@sunnylusburner8108]

The specs for the new i30N (2021) are supposedly the same as the Focus ST

[@elmin2323]

@@sunnylusburner8108 llolll

[@bob6168able]

Thanks. Please a video on 2022 ST as soon as it comes out... There are talking about new face lift.

[@CarSauce]

Absolutely will!

[@geoffhonky4439]

Try all the hot hatches mate, ALL the hot hatches. This boy racer at heart is drooling with the options coming out. Great vids 👍

[@limewhite71]

Great review as usual! Has it been forgotten? Well... It isn't an SUV so that pretty much is a yes, sadly.

[@gertversteeg3394]

Medtronic user? nice review man!

[@JubaOnPC]

I really wonder if i can get one of these importing into the US

[@Roach9994]

Matt if only I hadn't moved, you could have compared to my previous gen focus ST on the street ha. Good review. Blake

[@CarSauce]

I know right?! I thought of your ST when I got this!

[@serai711]

a Really impressive wrap on the ST

[@redroo12]

Rear Air vents are under the seat....well they are in my ST-line and they work pretty well

[@BOF303]

Crazy good car. Mine is St Line X 155cv mHEV and a bunch of optionals

[@cy9nvs]

I just ordered a 2021 ST Edition, and it does have all the stuff you said were gone for 2020. B&O sound system included.

[@sarahtaylor6205]

I love the dark interior 😍 I have the orange 2021 ST, I also got front windows tinted

[@stevehastings6802]

My wife's got the manual in orange, she loves it! Got her a scorpion exhaust which really fills the bumper and now pops and bangs alot louder.. My only complaint about it a year in, is the tyre noise above 70. But she doesn't need the ps4s so might swap for a less noisy tyre when it's time

[@bobbywilson5664]

one off the best looking hatchback in AU, good work Ford. Not too sure about the price tag, maybe a little to expensive for what it is.

[@CarSauce]

Certainly not cheap, but being at the lower end of a full sized hot hatch I'm happy with it!

[@sjb2471]

Wait til you see the price of the new Golf GTi…

[@JUSTADRUST]

Don't know if I could justify the running costs over the MK8 Fiesta ST. Insurance, rego, fuel economy and tyres amongst other things. Is it as much fun to drive without the risk of getting pinged or losing your licence as the Fiesta? Which may be still the best smiles per miles car and bang for your buck car out there. I guess I'll just have to test drive the Focus for myself, and find out!

[@grantorino9049]

Not any longer. i20N offers the same speed but much more tech for the same price :)

[@CarSauce]

The Mk8 Fiesta is a bucket load of fun! This is easier to daily though will say, just more creature comforts

[@crazy-diamond7683]

I have the same motor in the grey fully loaded but I hate those LED lights you have on yours. I have never seen a Mk 4 ST in the UK with them as we get the Adaptive type that turn in the direction of the steering wheel. The spec of interior on the AU models looks like the St line here. 👍

[@DCB2018]

I like the exhaust sound, it definitely sounds louder than my factory exhaust on my 2018 Kia Stinger GT..or even the latest bi modal on the current MY21 Stinger.

[@CarSauce]

No doubt haha!

[@garysessoms9861]

Miss Ford Focus

[@claudiadavies5110]

Really great looking car!

[@CarSauce]

I think so too!

[@mlukubone7134]

Exhaust sounds good, I must say

[@CarSauce]

Yeah it grew on me, I feel I was a bit harsh... No doubt the manual sounds a lot better though

[@lammyjey4440]

I wasn't expecting ford to make another version of this car again 😳. I really love the this car, however the whole Sound system, you was talking about is the down side. But i am guessing with the new models coming out I am sure they will add more features to the other cars. I am not sure ford will make version of this with new and improved features to again lol A really good review on the car, your energy is really great 👍 and full of life 🙌

[@highstreetkings7528]

@MattBrandCars - Youre deeply wrong about the fact that you "Lose" a few optionals like Blind-Spot monitoring etc. These are offered in the 1-200 ST-3 models if youre lucky enough to secure one. These also come with a Sunroof. I ordered mine about a week ago.

[@CarSauce]

Yeah that's true it's going to be in the ST-3, but my point was it has been deoptioned from the variant I was driving. Congratulations on your purchase!

[@bob6168able]

Very difficult to choose between the ST Vs Megan Rs Vs the GTI Vs the AMG 35,, you drove them all, which one is your favorite in terms of fun driving? Also, would you please compare ST to AMG 35?. Thx

[@sjb2471]

The Merc and the new GTi are a VERY different price point now, probably most comparable to the Megane. I’d say the Megane has more sound and theatre plus a little French quirkiness, but otherwise they’re similarly great to drive to one another.

[@maxmckenna4327]

I ordered an auto orange fury Focus ST in feb and its still not here due to covid and all that. I did not know an automatic car can do pops and crackles! Thanks for letting me know!

[@rxs87]

This or the megane rs my dude? Obviously the megane sounds better would you say the focus is more playful?

[@MrTusk-em2qh]

The 2021 wheels look better then my 2017 St ngl

[@FalconXE302]

I test drove both. For me, the auto was sadly underwhelming... almost boring. I then test drove the manual and it was simply awesome... then I bought one... Orange Fury. I came from a 2014 Fiesta ST... so fun driving was important... the manual ST Focus was definitely exiting. Orange Fury really does make people look... and wonder what the car is... other colours seem to make the Focus ST... Look like a normal Focus... and no one bats an eyelid. The colours can make or break a car in my view.,

[@fantasyproduct1042]

I like mine being black as I go unnoticed until I unleash the beast 😁

[@haydncook5511]

I’ve ordered one. 6 month wait. 🙁 Hope it’s worth it.

[@afrikengunner]

Now that u have driven both the facelift NDCT and this. What would you take?

[@avuazahc1966]

Its true ST can be underrated sometimes yet it does the job very well. I dont think i like your green mamba colour than my favourate "Race Red" or its signature colour Orange

[@kusamagaming7375]

can you recommend something like this but SUV or Pickup in a price of 40k?

[@kelvpoon]

Waiting for the ST3

[@CarSauce]

Yeah looking forward to it for sure

[@richardhaley8744]

Just ordered the ST3. Great value

[@kelvpoon]

@@richardhaley8744 how much did they ask you for? Nsw?

[@richardhaley8744]

@@kelvpoon I will part ex my fiesta ST in SA. Test drove a few rivals best all round hot hatch in my opinion

[@Ahmadalichabayta]

I work with ford, bought the ST3 😁

[@MyAppie1]

Hey Matt would you able to review a VW polo gti at some stage? that would be awesome

[@sheevpalpatine1477]

Oh great, a hard choice, i30N or ST?

[@Benjay1975]

Do you sit down deep in the cabin or in typical ford fashion do you sit up high on the seat? thats always been a down point for me with the focus and fiesta

[@bartp7969]

I have the ST-line X (not the ST but inside the same) and you sit really low! just got mine last month :)

[@MrMedderzEa]

ive just ordered one here in the uk manual though ;), im very surprised you have two specs there, here we have one spec and we have everything part from the sunroof and the blind spot ( which are options ),

[@CarSauce]

Congratulations Philip!!! You'll love it 🙂 which colour did you choose?

[@MrMedderzEa]

@@CarSauce i cant wait haha, but they cant give me an absolute delivery date because of this electronic chip shortage -_-, i have gone with white haha, it was like 1600 aus dollars ( converted from pounds) for the performance blue or orange fury.

[@ardienn]

@@MrMedderzEa same here in spain, ordered mine last week , and they told me december, maybe january 2022.

[@justfly4795]

I've had one for nearly a year now with the performance pack & panoramic sunroof in blue manual. You are going to enjoy it very much it is the essence of a hot hatch hit the sport button and it just rips through an B road.

[@Rnaudts]

i have a focus vignale 1.5 ecoboost 182 hp 6m and its ana awsome car and the manual is one of the best ever made getting the auto in an st is realy a waste cause the manual is a no brainer unless you realy realy hate manuals

[@LoftyVisions]

Did you find the seats a bit hard?

[@CarSauce]

Only around my thighs, but it was more than bearable and I have thick legs lol

[@vladthelad9377]

Please review the vw golf mk8

[@CarSauce]

It's coming!

[@derekdalton5658]

Great review Matt. Car is a smidge pricey and were those seats electrically adjusted?

[@kelvpoon]

It’s unfortunate they ran out of money by the time they got to the gear box.

[@CarSauce]

Yeah I agree, a DCT (as long as its good) would be awesome

[@avuazahc1966]

but car industry is moving away from DCT to torque converter box

[@JUSTADRUST]

A hot hatch has to be manual......that is set in stone!!!

[@gordonwilliams7617]

can you seat 5 people in it.??

[@Parabloop3r]

I’ve never heard understeer be described as “fun,” to be honest. Lift-off oversteer, sure, but what’s fun about understeer?

[@CarSauce]

I enjoy fighting a steering wheel in a hot hatch, it's part of the theatrics

[@steeldevil98]

@@CarSauce do you mean torque steer? Understeer is totally different

[@jm-tw5ve]

Who said it is underrated then ?

[@mimmy0193]

They also removed the heated steering wheel.

[@fantasyproduct1042]

They didn't

[@SaulGoodman-Associates]

Would be perfect as a hatch if awd not fwd…. If it’s not a tcr car why even bother make a fast car with fwd

[@lukelawrence6007]

The manual iz better ❤

[@jonathanvazquez9486]

I’m from the US and do they sell these automatic cuz I can’t find one anywhere

[@grahambrown2102]

2021 ST 3 is an auto with more spec. Only 200 being sold in OZ.

[@sjb2471]

They don’t sell these in the US at all.

[@stefanvlasceanu6261]

Hello sir! Do you think that cars with petrol and diesel engines will disappear from their production in the future? I hope this never happens!😭😢😓

[@RD-ni7qe]

Does the ST have a 'wet' DCT like the i30 N?

[@robertceroli3512]

At 50k driveway focas st is excellent value for money priced better than VW GTI and Yaris GR .It's what you call bang for buck 💸

[@CarSauce]

Exactly!

[@elmin2323]

I30n kills it

[@sjb2471]

Except the part where he says “the i30 has a much better soundtrack but the Focus is WAY faster and feels much more competent to drive”…??

[@wolfguard1180]

Almost 50k for a focus st? I'd rather have a used RS for half the price. No thanks.

[@sjm8510]

Dude gives me a what if Chris Hemsworth wasn't attractive sorta vibe.

[@sjb2471]

Ok that’s mean. He’s not unattractive at all! Certainly not as fit as CH, but who the fuck is?!!!

[@jazzis4u1]

I bought a new 2000 focus. Hands down, the worst car I’ve ever owned. 1) Steel cable connecting the accelerator to the throttle body, snapped on a busy highway during rush hour. I was in the passing lane with no gas pedal and managed to get over into the break down lane without losing my life. 2) One of the straps holding the gas tank in place gave way (same scenario-rush hr etc) wearing a hole in the tank and leaking a trail of gas all over the highway. 3) Control arm on the left rear collapsed (same scenario). I managed to make it to the next exit. 4) Ignition locked on two seperate occasions. All of these breakdowns required towing and repairs and loss of work. I’ve never owned a car that did any of these things besides this POS. Buy, and more importantly, drive at your own peril.

[@CarSauce]

I'm sorry you had that experience but this is 20 years later... They might as well be completely different cars!

[@sjb2471]

Bear in mind the 2000 Focus was built in South Africa when car manufacturing in that country by all brands was appalling - Ford, VW, BMW, MB, all of them. This is two generations newer and built in Germany. Very different quality.

[@LB83.]

It’s under powered

[@JJ-wi2uw]

Pity it's a Ford.

[@CarSauce]

I liked my old Ford Falcon :(

[@sjb2471]

Pity you wasted 18 mins of your life clicking on a Ford review when you’re obviously idiosyncratically opposed to the brand 🤷‍♂️