2014 Ford Focus ST Review
2014 Ford Focus ST Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful turbocharged engine
- precise six-speed manual gearbox
- sharp handling
- poised ride
- stylish interior with many high-tech options.
Cons
- Finicky infotainment controls
- no automatic transmission offered
- optional Recaro seats can be uncomfortable on long drives.
What’s new
The 2014 Ford Focus ST is unchanged other than newly optional gray-painted wheels (with red-painted brake calipers) and optional exterior black stripes.
Edmunds says
The 2014 Ford Focus ST delivers strong hot-hatchback performance, yet doesn't forget to deliver on the poise and polish.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2014 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.54 per gallon for premium unleaded in Pennsylvania.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Pennsylvania
$210/mo for Focus ST Base
Focus ST Base
vs
$192/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Performance & mpg
The signature feature of the front-wheel-drive 2014 Ford Focus ST is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It's matched with a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission.
In Edmunds testing, the Ford Focus ST accelerated from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds, a quick time for this class of car. The EPA estimates the Focus ST will achieve 26 mpg combined (23 mpg city/32 mpg highway), which also places it near the top of the hot hatch class for fuel economy.
Safety
The 2014 Ford Focus ST comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The Ford Sync system also includes an emergency crash-notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired with a compatible cell phone. Also standard are blind-spot mirrors and Ford's MyKey system, which can be used to set certain parameters for teen drivers. A rearview camera, offered on the regular Focus, isn't available on the ST.
In Edmunds testing, the Focus ST needed 112 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is an average distance for an affordable performance car with summer tires.
In government crash testing, the Focus received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for overall frontal-impact protection and five stars for overall side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Focus coupe its highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side and roof-strength tests.
Driving
Just as you'd expect from a car in this category, the 2014 Ford Focus ST bristles with performance, and the sound that the turbocharged engine makes as it revs toward 6,000 rpm is thrilling. The precision of the steering and the crisp action of the six-speed manual transmission make you feel as if you're in touch with this car's mechanical soul.
Equally striking is the Focus ST's composure during harder driving. Special tuning of the electric-assist power steering, electronic differential control and stability control systems helps maintain traction without making the car feel clumsy. And if you're looking for more excitement on a back road (or planning to sign up for a track day), you can dial the stability control into a more permissive setting or switch it off altogether.
For day-to-day driving, the Focus ST is still quite livable. The suspension tuning is certainly firm, but outside of the GTI, this is the best-riding performance hatchback you'll find. It's also fairly quiet, as the engine really makes itself heard only during hard acceleration.
Interior
The interior of the Focus ST shows how compact cars now blend utility with an appreciation for fine materials and leading-edge design. This cockpit is attractive and the materials are best in class. And just as you'd expect in a performance car, the driving position is excellent, and the optional Recaro front seats offered in the ST2 and ST3 have large side bolsters that keep you very secure during hard cornering. We recommend sitting in the Recaro seats before deciding if they're for you, however, as many drivers find them to be uncomfortable for long drives.
The layout of some gauges and controls is a little complicated, particularly the optional MyFord Touch system. It provides some neat customization possibilities, but in real-world operation we've found that it's prone to glitches. In addition, its virtual buttons are hard to identify at a glance, often get pressed accidentally or fail to respond properly. That said, the technologies controlled by MyFord Touch and the Sync voice command system help set the Focus ST apart from the pack.
The rear seat is slightly shorter on legroom than the accommodations of other small hatchbacks, but overall utility is excellent, with 23.8 cubic feet of space with the 60/40-split rear seats up and a generous 44.8 cubic feet with them folded down.
2014 Ford Focus ST models
The 2014 Ford Focus ST is a performance-oriented version of the Focus four-door hatchback. There is no sedan version.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels; performance summer tires; performance brakes; an electronically controlled limited-slip front differential; keyless ignition and entry; full power accessories; air-conditioning; cruise control; a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; a 60/40-split-folding seatback; the Sync voice-activated phone and audio player interface; and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, USB/iPod interface and an auxiliary audio jack.
The ST2 package (Equipment Group 201A) adds Recaro front sport seats, cloth/leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, the MyFord Touch electronics interface with an 8-inch touchscreen display and a 10-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio and satellite radio.
The ST3 package (Equipment Group 202A) includes the ST2's features and adds xenon headlights, heated mirrors, heated front Recaro seats, full leather upholstery, a rear armrest, an overhead interior console, ambient interior lighting and a navigation system.
Stand-alone options include a dark gray finish (with red-painted brake calipers) for the standard 18-inch wheels, a sunroof and a set of black racing stripes that run from the front of the car to the rear bumper.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2014 Ford Focus ST.
5 star(67%)
4 star(9%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(12%)
43 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great Car
manniax, 12/10/2013
2014 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Deceptively sporty, I like it because it takes off like a rocket but won't get you pulled over either.
If you're a larger person there's still decent headroom (I'm 6'3") but the Recaro seats might be a little uncomfortable on long drives.
It's a really great ride though and very well designed.
Very suitable for use as a daily driving vehicle.
If you regularly carry four people though, … you should probably consider something larger - not a ton of legroom in the rear seat.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Very Nice Hot-hatch
nepaforte, 11/20/2012
2013 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I bought a Base Focus ST without any additional options. My main concern was to have bluetooth connectivity as an option which the car comes standard with.
As far as the interior is concerned, it's slightly cramped compared to rivals and does not have as much "cubby" space as other cars. This can be averted though through getting the ST2 package trim. The materials are all soft touch … and feel like they are from higher quality car.
The ride and road noise are fantastic for this car. Any outside noise (including tire noise) is very muted and the ride while firm and somewhat busy, abosrbs manholes and bridge joints beautifully.
The engine is powerful and handling spot on as well!
5 out of 5 stars
LOVE THIS CAR
aeryn7, 02/16/2013
2013 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Did a lot of research on hatchbacks, read all these rave reviews about this little hot hatch. They are totally spot on. BMW quality interior, smooth shifter, no turbo lag at all, I don't have any issues with torque steer, I laugh out loud when I'm taking a curve. It's a fast car, but I find it also a perfectly well behaved commuter car. You can take it easy or drive it hard. After owning … M3s, S4s, and a 911 I can say this is a very respectable performer and dollar for dollar an amazing value. Can't believe what Ford has done with this car, bravo to the engineers.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Focus ST
vooch, 12/09/2012
2013 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I'd say the Focus ST is a split between the GTI and what I've heard of the MPS 3.
I've owned a GTI but I have not owned a MPS 3.
I use the GTI as a baseline against the Focus.
The GTI is definitely more refined.
The best thing about the car is the powertrain for sure.
Everything else is secondary.
The reason I got it was because hatches are way more utilitarian than trunks, for the … size of the car.
Americans don't seem to understand that.
Also the gas mileage is better than what I'm coming from (Genesis Coupe v6), and I already owned a GTI.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2014 Ford Focus ST, so we've included reviews for other years of the Focus ST since its last redesign.
2014 Focus ST Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,115 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $210/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 23.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Focus ST include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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