Ford Focus ST: Ferrari Testarossa On A Budget? - XCAR

The Ford Focus ST is like a supercar you can afford. In terms of performance on a budget it's hard to comapre it to anyting else.
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The Ford Focus ST is by no means a supercar but can it give you a chunk of the thrill at a fraction of the cost and still work as your daily driver?
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VIDEOS IN ENDBOARD
Ford Fiesta ST: bit.ly/1Auh328
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[@MatrixDiscovery]

Love the honesty in this vid. "If you have an honest job, you'll never be able to afford one of these".

[@Chif_GT]

One of the best reviews i seen in ages. I love the ST

[@vampireangelus]

This guy is the best XCAR presenter, hope they use him more.

[@drewstearne]

Glad you liked the film guys.

[@JTheAndroidFreak]

This by far is the best and the most practical review on the Focus ST. Nice one 👍😝

[@just.some.dud3]

It's a great car. I bought one for a daily driver and have been loving it. :)

[@liamoconnell1308]

hows it doing

[@HaggisNHorsepower]

Great vid guys, I really like the new face-lifted Focus ST, it's a lot more sharper & sleeker to look at. I love the paint job too, suits the car very well. Overall, a great fun little car & a great review, keep up the good work XCAR :)

[@HaggisNHorsepower]

***** No probs, I'm sure it was haha :)

[@christinamccullough524]

***** ek love your vids

[@HaggisNHorsepower]

Christina Mccullough Haha thank you :)

[@christinamccullough524]

***** thank you for replying you have made my day

[@HaggisNHorsepower]

Christina Mccullough No probs haha, anytime :)

[@jedflex]

I'm never going to own a Lamborghini. Inspiration on a different level

[@brandonr2188]

Adam Rosenberg just get a nice house and a bunch of toys, invest the rest :)

[@deanesau9106]

Lol

[@MatrixDiscovery]

Lambo will break down after 5000 miles, this won't. And I ain't joking.

[@scooteratw]

Really high-quality produced video. Loved it. Thanks for all the good info and great footage of the Focus ST

[@ianfielding4331]

I love my new ST3 you drive with a smile on your face. When you make it growl your smile turns into a massive grin!!!

[@charliejohn1]

This was one of my first videos I watched before purchasing my 2014 ST (used 13,000 miles). I'm still smiling in 2021 😁

[@justindawson55]

I'm really considering it at 42.

[@brandons9138]

@@justindawson55 I bought mine at 46. Do it if you haven't already. If you are still looking. Try to score at least an ST2 level trim. I have an ST1 and not holding out for a ST2 is my greatest regret with the car.

[@PatYouells]

This happens to be the first new car I've bought myself, and I have come to the same kind of conclusion. It may never be faster, and it certainly will never be as rare or beautiful, but I will bet any amount of money I'm having more fun in my little hot hatch then the guy with a Ferrari. I can drive mine, everyday, everywhere, with everyone. I can park anywhere, and the day somebody backs into me in a shopping center, sure I'll be upset, but I'll be thankful it wasn't a 1/300 Ferrari. Super Cars will always hold a very special place in my heart, but being afraid to use your car, makes it that much less fun to own. I think if nothing else though this car has really taught me there is no excuse for a gear/petrol head to buy something boring. Not as long as this blend of performance and practicality exists.

[@l1qu1dm3t4lIV]

I love my Focus ST; its one of the most fun rides that ive ever driven and it's still bone-stock. I just hope the RS is affordable, because the only thing i'd change about the ST is to add AWD... If there's any hint of frost on the ground she doesnt want to play as much. And almost any trans will be better than a Subi's Glassbox.. That's right, i said it.

[@kbergmeister7000]

Working at a dealership I drove the rs and the st. Not on the roads I would’ve liked but To be totally honest the rs doesn’t feel all that much faster. The st is just as fun.

[@yassersawadi2201]

Great review! Just bought a 2013 Focus ST and you said exactly what I was thinking before buying this car.

[@oneummah6795]

At last a proper honest review, thank you !

[@intsikbeho2461]

excellent presentation....and good humour (subscribed)

[@aquateen77723]

Excellent presentation of one of my favorite cars. Very insightful and nicely edited. Well done, mates! 👍

[@drewstearne]

Thank you kindly.

[@Jimmyxsx]

Excellent video!! Im new to watching videos made by you guys but I gotta say you guys make better videos than motortrend, car and driver and edmunds by a long shot. Great work. Im subscribing👍..

[@MrHammoreds]

Revisited this video because I had one of these years ago and I remember how well this review captured the balance between the needs of a family man and a petrol head super-car dreamer. What a shame that Ford, nor anyone else, is making anything like as good nowadays.

[@RobBoothAutomotive]

First time the term 'apex' has been used in a graphical context in a car review. Nice work.

[@JoshuaPlays99]

I want one even more now. Great video. The filming and editing keeps getting better!

[@drewstearne]

Thanks man.

[@JoshuaPlays99]

My dream car is the aventador. I have an aventador model and pictures of aventadors. And I might not be able to own one, but what you said is true. You don't need a fast super car to have fun.

[@timkelly2105]

Nice job Drew. I'm by no means a Boy Racer, but wanted something faster (when needed) on a budget. Ordered an St-3 and I cannot wait to take delivery. It took me a long time to determine whether to go for an ST, but your video simply nailed it for me. Thank you.

[@iainmurray9961]

Great video guys with some good points put across - I can't wait to get a shot in one :)

[@rajierobie]

Great video. I'm sold

[@technoboy68]

One of the best videos about focus st. I have st mk3 turnier and i love it. It is the best compromise betwen sport car and everyday useability.

[@K6III450MHZ]

This is an excellent video

[@AMDeeb90]

I totally agree with you Drew! If you can't afford a supercar car, you can have a feel of it by buying a cheaper yet more comfortable one. A Ferrari (or any supercar) is no doubt amazing to own, but if you don't run it on a race track/autobahn, you will never experience its true potential. Beside that, a 1 second 0-60 difference when you are in the 5 second range isn't noticeable on public roads.

[@TerrySSSC]

Great review and perspective.

[@ponygt6629]

The best way to sum up the Focus ST XCAR excellent job

[@ponygt6629]

***** Always loved the XCAR videos, Subscribed without a second thought

[@hamzterix]

Great review. Thanks

[@jinxmade]

Great Review and great video.

[@jershinator13]

I love mine! Brilliant cars, these.

[@sebastianpfeiffersp]

Awesome Video! Kind of makes me want to have this car!

[@dallasangler]

Nice job Drew, I particularly enjoyed the video editing.

[@drewstearne]

Thanks dude.

[@alexandrupirvu3987]

Awesome presentation!

[@rediiix7758]

Very nice review guys. I like that you made the point about the law of diminishing return with cars. A lot of reviews compare the ST to other cars. Which when you think about it, is really comparing apples to oranges no matter how you slice it because different manufacturers design cars with different goals. The ST is designed to be a family car that, when you want, can give the thrill of a performance car. You point out how they balance that pretty well. Can't wait till you all get the chance to review the Focus RS when Ford finally releases it, either later this year, or next year. Hopefully not next year.

[@Mantenner]

i love this channel

[@SyrusLang]

Best ST review i've seen. Will buy my condo first and then ill park this there in about 2 years when the price is below 20k

[@BenzinioB]

I wish to have the new design with the old engine! The 5 cylinders sound gorgeous. There is better hot hatches but I've always loved the ST

[@philliprobson3210]

Great review

[@MrStephene1]

I drive a 2012 Focus Zetec S 1.6 Ecoboost 182 with the bigger 18 inch wheels in white and is a very good car and returns 39mpg on a 60 mile a day commute. Yes I could get a better return on mpg but it's the fun and smile factors with these cars. THis is a excellent review video of the Focus ST and I hope to get one very soon. Go on put that smile back on your face and get this or a Zetec S 182 to start with.

[@ChristopherJones-cjphoto]

From an US BMW driver: great work!

[@OverTheRoadRowson]

good vid, nice presentation (Y)

[@RomaneMaticaliseGordon]

Great Review

[@RomaneMaticaliseGordon]

***** Will sure do, I love your videos. I'm a petrol head from Jamaica, too bad we don't manufacture cars here. Keep up the great work.

[@Robbyjubbly]

Keep chasing ur dream people. U can achieve whatever u have ur mind set to. Never compromise in life!

[@martinallenuk]

Bit cliche. One day people will realise that the purchase of inanimate objects in pursuit of happiness is fucking pathetic. Been there...Didn't make me a happier man...only a happy man with larger outgoings.

[@NoiceB8M8]

Martin Allen You say that, but then you get your first ride in a supercar and that thinking goes right out the window. Plus, who says you need to buy it during your working years? There is a reason you see old people rolling around in Ferraris you know :)

[@brandonr2188]

Robert Ngo what if i want to bring back world slavery(no that doesnt just mean you, black people). Look at dubai, they get shit done, because they have slaves. Who needs human decency when you can step all over other people to get what you want?

[@AaronCook]

Good presenter!

[@untouchableali]

Top presenter/reviewer. He is quality. Kudos.

[@drewstearne]

Thank you kindly.

[@TherymasterWidnes]

What a great review

[@NathantheRealtor]

Nice video! I have a TS '13 and really like it! Not sure about the refresh; but then I have a stake in liking the old one... Both nice looking, the newer look is a bit more homogeneous, ie. WRX, Mercedes, but that seems to be the look of the day. The car is great fun to drive if you push it a bit, and great with the family of four and the dog for a trip to the coast. You're right, you could do far worse. A stellar ride for us mere mortals!

[@qichengz79]

Nice review~

[@DaVeTheTaliban]

Great video

[@q80aziz]

Yes sir . Bang for the Buck indeed !

[@ronaldderooij1774]

This vid is a good consumer advice! I am not in the market for this car, much to the chagrin of my son. I cannot afford even a Ford Focus new. Let alone an ST. Besides that, I love comfy, soft, silent, superreliable cars that greet me in the morning and give me the feeling that, if I wished, I could drive it to Beijing and back. In all comfort and with no problem.

[@jordanelcock5723]

amazing video

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Try out the Fiesta ST as well if you haven't already, Most say it's even more fun, despite being a bit lower in power, it's also a bit smaller/lighter!

[@Affalterbach1967]

This is the video that lead me to subscribe to XCar.

[@ariffroose6356]

Great review, Drew. We don't have to settle for less - just meet the halfway point and get yourself a hot hatch! :D

[@drewstearne]

yup!

[@butchmeister80]

love the newer shape and wheels on this makes it much more mean i want to trade my Fiesta st in for one

[@sinister0083]

I own a 2015 Fiesta ST, Love that car but wish I had more room for the kids. Should have gotten this car instead.

[@JCTiggs1]

I hear ya, but the steering is pretty numb in the Focus ST and the suspension is quite cushy. In comparison, the steering in the Fiesta ST is incredibly direct and overall theirs a connection to the car and road that the Focus ST doesn't have 😕

[@sinister0083]

+JCTiggs indeed.

[@shotclips]

I own a 2014, and yes this car is a great balance of affordability and function...great video!

[@jgpwlcs36]

great looking stock wheels on this car too

[@ninos3710]

Just replaced the stock catback on my '13 with an Injen, ST roars now!

[@Player_Review]

The 'daily driver' part was more important in my 2014 ST3 purchase than the non-exotic factor. If you want to have fun and need to stick a car seat and get groceries, yet still want power and european designing/quality, then I recommend the Focus ST. I get about 30 miles per gallon and can hit 60mph in under 6 seconds.

[@ricardolourizela5961]

1:31 - 1:38 "To get a car that does 0-60 in a second less than this car you'd have to spend twice the amount of money". No, you wouldn't. The Golf R is 1.5 seconds faster from 0-60 and it costs 8k more - which is about 35%, not 100%.

[@hayden0103]

Or (in the states) you could pick up a WRX which easily does 0-60 in 5.5s and with a bit of tough love on the clutch can probably pull it in 5s. And you don't even spend any more - the MSRPs are quite close. No hatch, but if you want to tip the balance towards sport more than the ST does it's an option worth considering.

[@franjoanic9197]

Or maybe Focus RS ?

[@fewcarsgarage]

hayden0103 and if you live in a state like Michigan, the AWD WRX would kill any car as a daily driver.

[@bucketslash11]

Ricardo Lourizela are you referring to UK prices? because that's where XCAR is from

[@ricardolourizela5961]

bucketslash11 Yes, I am.

[@Jordan-ql8pv]

I cannot disagree with any part of this video, really. Great job.

[@MrTecolote007]

I own a Focus ST3 as well as a Porsche Boxster and a Z51 Corvette Stingray and even though the ST is not a beast like the Vette, it's not meant to be and it sure didn't have the price tag either. What you do get is a lot of bang for the buck and a lot of smiles along the way. The ST is great for spirited driving and it delivers. I would recommend it and especially if you don't have wads of cash to throw around.

[@maXXik1337]

Very well put imho. IT is about paid money/joy ratio. And customers are well aware of this (people have more informations than in past mostly due to technology progress for free). And these fast/hot hatches/wagons are simply great offers for normal guy. Look at megane GT (not RS) octavia RS or golf GTI or make a step higher with cupra ST, golf R, megane RS, peugeot GTi etc.

[@borisdzhanamov7185]

Very good review and the Focus ST is just a lovely package for the money. But when we talk of childhood dreams It's even better when you realize that for the half of the money you pay for the Focus you can get a real used supersaloon like an M5, M3, Merc AMG, Audi RS4 or RS6, Impreza STI, Mitsubishi Evo or even a Porsche 911 - the 996s are very cheap at the moment.

[@rafaelcalha]

Nice new guy, he's funny and concise. is he welsh or something? Nice review too!

[@dahorn100011]

Scottish

[@YrnehLrak]

Not new, I believe.

[@drewstearne]

No, not Welsh. Not new either. I'm Scottish. I've also been with XCAR longer than anyone else.

[@boabm6522]

Brilliant presenting Drew (bit late I know).

[@andrewbloomfield831]

Sweaty sock 🧦

[@goodinsrt8]

When I was a little boy I wanted a first gen firebird, I now have a 69 firebird. Old school American muscle will always turn more heads than any lambo or ferrari.

[@Alexis_Wajdenbaum]

I can watch this video again and again, waiting for the white ST3 with Sony sound system that will be mine in end of june.

[@geoffnelson64]

Did ya get it?

[@gwwayner]

My 2014 Focus with Sport package and manual transmission zips along pretty good for a small car and the easy handling is surprising; it's actually fun to drive! Currently have a K&N cold air intake to install in the Spring, but anyone really interested in acceleration should buy a 1000cc sport-bike for a lot less cost! The ST is a sweet ride though if anyone wants to spend the extra bucks. Btw those mega-buck exotic sports cars wouldn't last ten miles on the bumpy pot-holed roads around here lol!

[@xxslimjimtightxx]

He's right. Bang for buck, the Focus ST is great value for the performance. I drove my friends ST and it's loads of fun, although fighting the torque steer isn't fun as compared to my mustang 3.7 where it just puts the power down quick. I'd highly recommend test driving the ST if you can! Looking forward to the Focus RS, hope to get it to replace my Impreza :D.

[@fitnessguru8012]

I wish mine had lumbar support..even a manual one standard would be great!

[@edsondiogo328]

Will the UK version have a screen that big or is it going to be a tiny one like the last ones?

[@1MrLuar]

Great video m8

[@drewstearne]

Thanks!

[@lukejohnson3755]

If its anything like my Fiesta ST, it's good :)

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Similar but Focus a bit more compliant / nicer ride with a little more power, but supposed to be less fun. Seats are a bit less bolstered in the Focus ST, and you get more space for Cargo and passengers in the rear.

[@danielwright5104]

I bought a stealth grey ST-3 in 2015 based on this review. Still love it. If you're buying one make sure it's the ST-3. Buy the the moutune 275 package or similar to make it even better

[@benhall2235]

Nice I’m getting a 2015 st3 next month, can’t wait.

[@GeneracionGoshen777]

Good video

[@ZCherish]

Well, this was depressing. If I live an honest life, I'll likely never be able to afford my automotive dreams. Keep on building us up, guys.

[@casualagent7250]

The truth shall set you free

[@rare6499]

The facelift looks excellent!! I would really struggle to chose between this and the faster, more subtle Cupra.

[@drewstearne]

If you have the little bit extra money the Cupra is worth it. The ST is seriously fun though.

[@rideanddive]

How would you put it compared to the Leon Cupra 265 ? And i heard suspensions were really hard for everyday use...True ?

[@TechnationXyz]

Great video! Been longing to get into this car and see how it compares to the MK7 GTI.

[@TechnationXyz]

***** I am going to a Ford Ecoboost Challenge event in a couple of months. I hope they have a 2015 there.

[@Osprey1994]

The Mk7 GTI is something i really want to try out I love my Mk6 but people suggest that there are some improvements worth looking at in the MK7 yah the ST is nice but I like that German engineering.

[@TechnationXyz]

OspreyBravo18 The Mk7 is definitely a fantastic car. I was able to drive one, without the optional performance pack, and loved every minute of it. I have never driven the Mk6 so I can't compare.

[@Osprey1994]

TechNation Interior is very similar from what I have seen I have heard that the difference is in the gear ratios it supposedly has longer 1st and second gears than the MK6 which for manual users is a big deal I learned stick in my car and I feel like I wore it out really fast because of those gears having a relatively steep learning curve.

[@TechnationXyz]

OspreyBravo18 Yes. I know exactly what you mean. The car that I drive now has a fairly short first gear.

[@mohawkc579]

Nice work. I'd consider this car in the near future as my 07 GTI is getting a little long in the tooth. I'm passing on the GTI this time as it is made in Mexico. VW did not pass any of thief savings to the customers. I'm talking about the GTI for sale here in Canada. I'm sure the one sold in the UK is made in Germany.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Nice but the newer Focus RS is THE focus now - 2.3 Turbo Litre EcoBoost engine, 315 bhp, 0 - 15 in under 5 sec, and importantly, 4WD. The Golf R is the other favourite of mine. I know that part of Barcelona, it's the twisty roads up around the Olympic Stadium. Barcelona is nice.

[@deedee5541]

I got one. Great car.

[@pbaker7160]

The Focus ST is such a fun car to drive. No, it's not a Lambo, but when a car makes you smile when you drive it? It's worth buying.

[@williambecker3923]

Great video but I'll wait for the rs

[@potaka79]

Looks the goods. I'll take mine in black please.

[@speakthatruth77]

What wheels are on that ST? I bought one this year but those wheels were not a factory option even though I see them in a lot of pictures.

[@ivannarvaez367]

Refresh on the new ST looks good.

[@costastsamis6706]

Would you choose the Ford instead of the Leon Cupra? I drove the Cupra and it was awsome, haven't drive the Ford. Maybe you can do a test between Focus ST, Golf GTI and Leon Cupra

[@FreelancerGamer]

One day i will buy this car :)

[@LightHouse31073]

I'm watching this video in 2023 wishing Ford could bring this back.

[@giantenemycrabX]

is there much of a performance bump with this redesign over the slightly older 2013 model?

[@HBfreekicks]

Good video - I have a mark 2 ST225 (in electric orange) and I'd imagine I'd still choose it over the newer mark ST's, they don't seem to be quite as exciting and angry!

[@HBfreekicks]

***** Hmm that's difficult. Still think a nice mark 2 RS would go down a treat - maybe mountuned as well haha

[@mustachos1993]

Used E46 M3 (get em while they're still affordable!), used Boxters, Elises... these'll all do fine for less, well, disregarding servicing and maintenance!

[@Godzukidan]

Smiles per gallon. 😎👍

[@vinterterroristen]

Waiting in excitement for the RS..

[@Humance]

Nice looking car. imho!