Ford Focus ST

[SHO'NUFF]

it's a ford.

[Golf-Ur]

less performance in major categories

Have you seen an instrumented test of the two cars? I haven't yet, but am curious to see how the Focus stacks up. On paper, anyway, you'd expect the performance numbers to be very similar.

[VWPDX]

I noticed that you couldn't turn off stability control yet it still was more tossable. This is likely due to reduced weight. Also, awd tends to make things drama free in corners. Despite what the enthusiast gods say, I still think fwd understeer can be fun. That is what can make a gti more exciting than a R.

As far as comparisons go, I would love to see one with the R on summers, IMO, they should be the first mod you spend money on.

[HardKnox]

Have you seen an instrumented test of the two cars? I haven't yet, but am curious to see how the Focus stacks up. On paper, anyway, you'd expect the performance numbers to be very similar.

I admit, I have not. Autoweek, which generally glowed over the ST and compared it to the Golf R specifically, published a surprisingly unimpressive 0-60 and described the ST's performance as 90% of the R's.

Frankly, given other comments made in the same article, I was at a loss to explain how Autoweek reached its conclusions that the ST had better styling (garish in and out IMO) and more options (no AWD and they described lane departure as downright annoying) for 12K less (while admitting it was more than 29k when optioned.)

I could overlook the busy-ness and styling for the right trade-offs. The lack of AWD dismisses it from contention as a DD for me anyway. The ST doesn't do it for me but I'm sure it will be just what many folks are after.

[Saracen]

I signed up for the Focus ST driving experience in April, before I bought my R. I decided to go ahead and try out the ST anyway.

While I do not regret getting the R at all, I was VERY impressed with the Focus ST. Great steering, great brakes, lots of power, pretty nice interior. The recaros are fantastic as well.

[cim303]

I was rather impressed with the handling and road manners of a new Focus I drove recently. I was considering waiting for the ST before pulling the trigger on the R but in the end, that interior is so horrifyingly tacky I just couldn't see myself really being happy to be surrounded by that in a daily driver.

VW styling inside and out is a feature.

[peplsuk]

these reviews seem great right now but lets see these FWD car's reviews in about January with some real snow and ice on the road... i live in the real world where we have these things.
just say'n

[purefx]

it's a ford.

And it's a damn good car too.

[veuu]

I am happy I did not wait for the ST. I sat in a silver (loaded) on black and blue (no sunroof) on black with blue inserts on seats. The interior is a bit obnoxious, steering wheel feels spongy, and lord would I hate to clean the front grill. It seems like there is less leg room in the rear of the ST than our R.

I did not have time to test drive. Even though its not for me, glad Ford brought this to the U.S.

Engine assembly: Spain
Transmission: Germany

[WeeDub11]

I have a focus rental right now and the tranny is garbage but the chassis is rock solid. Will make a great sport hatch. Looks bigger in photos than in real life.

[Sep R]

The exterior design just doesn't do it for me. Looks like a zip zap

[FenderR]

The exterior design just doesn't do it for me. Looks like a zip zap

Agreed. I love that if you line up all the different generations of the Golf, there's a serious presence in brand recognition, clean lines, and well-designed cars!

[Copizza]

FOF just bought one here in Denver. He said the interior is off the hook, handles great, looks, well like a Ford. I think the best thing this car does for us, is push VW to make improvments to the cars we love. However, in all likelihood, VW is more like a "Honeybadger". It just doesn't give a *#-@ !

[WeeDub11]

If it "dethrones" the GTI in comparos other than insideline ( those guys hate vw) vw might perk up their ears.

[dajiggalo]

it's a ford.

And so was the GT40...

Regardless of the brand (and it's not-so-pretty design), competition is good! Remember what the Acura NSX did for exotic cars? It's reliability and performance forced Ferrari to improve its build quality (if anyone here is old enough to remember the 348... It was a time bomb on wheels). Perhaps the new Focus might goad VW into more lighter weight vehicles in the future...

[DaLeadBull]

We need competition in the hot hatch market in the US, so this is a very good thing.