Used 2017 Ford Focus ST Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Focus ST, so we've included reviews for other years of the Focus ST since its last redesign.
The ride I have always wanted
Doug Failor, 11/02/2015
updated 11/07/2016
2016 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
46 of 46 people found this review helpful
Brand new car. No initial purchase issues and not driven long enough to have reliability or service issues. This is more a first impression that a long term ownership review. The Focus ST is a niche car. It is aimed (noticed how I didn't say focused ;-) ) at someone who wants a fun and exciting car that is also practical and affordable. I don't believe everything I read, especially in advertising, but this car delivers. I am surprised at how well it delivers. The acceleration is quick, the steering is quick, and the braking is quick. There are 5 other cars and a pickup in my driveway, but there is only one car you would chose if you said to yourself "I just feel like going out for a drive". There is great power delivery even down low and when the turbo kicks in you feel it push you back in the seat. Gearbox is smooth. You can row back and forth through the six gears if you want, but the powerband is broad enough that downshifts are not nearly as necessary as some manuals I have owned. The tires and suspension let you feel all the road imperfections, but it is not harsh and handling always feels connected instead of busy or mushy. Torque steer? It is there if you push it in first or second. Not hard to control, but can be surprising when the car decides it doesn't want to accelerate in a straight line like you expected. Overall the car is reasonably quiet. You do hear the engine 'power symposer' when you accelerate, but not even loud enough to drown out a normal conversation. I have yet to hear the turbo whistle at all. Didn't get the Recaro seats. The base seats fit me much better. My ST1 has the base Ford Sync, so I can't comment on Sync 3, either. Although this is my daily driver, in no way is it just an average commuter car. It is for people who enjoy cars and want something that involves them in driving. Choosing an ST is a personal statement. I think it is a mistake by Ford to offer it only in the ST1/2/3 packages. I would have liked to pick and chose exactly which options fit me. A marketing decision I am sure. I don't challenge Mustangs, Camaros and Chargers at the stop lights. I don't wait to ambush BMW's and Vettes on twisty roads. I don't look for 2 miles of straight road where I can wind it out (but I do admit, on ramps have become lots of fun all of a sudden). There are bigger cars and faster cars and smoother cars and easier cars to drive. My ST is an every day driver that puts a smile on my face. It knew it was what I wanted as soon as I drove it.
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Special Transportation
Marty Weiner, 02/06/2016
updated 08/09/2016
2016 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
27 of 27 people found this review helpful
This is not your father's daily driver. I was looking for a replacement hatchback for my beloved 2002 Honda Si (251,000mi). I had recently rented a 2015 Focus sedan and was surprisingly impressed by it's "big car" characteristics. I have never owned a Ford automobile. Since Honda didn't have a replacement Si available I went to test drive a basic 5spd Focus hatchback. Looking around the lot I was impressed from the window view of the ST interior. I had not researched that car and didn't know what I was in for after asking for a test drive. Not surprisingly, the salesman offered no resistance... I bought it the first time I shifted into 3rd gear carrying some revs. I won't soon forget the experience of that turbo propelled acceleration. The overwhelming harmony of the power, steering and symphony of engine and exhaust notes was instantly addictive. It was the Si I had always dreamed of and much, much more. The fit and finish of the interior is excellent, very easy on the eyes and full of discovery. I'm 6'1", 210lbs and find the seats fit like a glove. They are comfortable and meaningful when you accelerate into a curve and pleasant while waiting for the green. I have owned this car for 3 weeks, have 1300 miles of city/freeway driving and the only think I miss from the Si is the somewhat less frequent stops at the gas station. This is truly a 6-star vehicle and feel fortunate I stumbled upon it. Some 6 months and 9,000 miles down the road and I'm still giving my ST 6 stars. This car has completely failed to disappointment me. I never thought I'd offer to get off the couch to go buy a loaf of bread but there I am, still enjoying the first blush of excitement this vehicle offers every time I fire it up. Could I get better gas mileage? Sure, if there weren't any freeway on-ramps. It's nice to know that if I keep my foot out of it, I can easily get 30+ mpg on the freeway. I took a friend on a 200 mile ride recently and he commented repeatedly how much quieter the cabin was than in his Prius C. It's also much more quiet than our 2013 Mazda 3. You don't see many ST's on the road but when I do, the knowing smile and nod between drivers tells the whole story.
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2017 Ford Focus ST for sale near you
3 of 10 listings
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $13,99565 mi away
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $16,363In-stock online
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $12,000In-stock online
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Poor man's sports car with four doors and a hatch
MN ST Owner, 07/30/2017
2017 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
I just bought mine recently in the base ST1 trim. The only options on my ST has are the polished rims with black pockets that include red painted brake calipers and the performance all season Pirelli tires instead of the summer only Goodyear tires. Hopefully the Pirelli's are good enough for winter here in Minnesota (Twin Cities metro area). I have always been interested in this car and after driving many economical cars that got great fuel economy, I was getting tired of the lack of performance that comes with that economy. Ford was offering a discount of $3500 off along with another $1000 Fast Cash. The dealer sold me the car at invoice price with these discounts included. I ended up paying $20,500 for a car that said $26,175 MSRP on the window sticker. I was also looking at Fiesta ST's too but they were more expensive and harder to find. The test drive had me sold on this car. Performance is thrilling in every way. Acceleration, handling and braking are at a level that is way above your average Focus. The six speed manual transmission and clutch are a pleasure to use. The steering is point and shoot with excellent feedback. Hustling down some curvy country roads today, I was amazed at how fast I was taking the curves. Of course I was smiling the entire time while I snicked though the gears. This car pulls hard when you dip into the pedal deep. Turbo lag is almost non-existent. The 270 lb/ft of torque peak is at only 2500 RPM's. This car pulls hard from any speed in every gear if you keep the RPM's around that figure. The performance all season Pirelli's worked well for me. I doubt you would want them on a track but for public road use they are great. The suspension is on the firm side but not jarring. You will hear and feel some bumps and the expansion joints on freeways but it is not annoying to me. First tank of fuel after some mixed highway/city driving came in at 27 MPG! A good portion of that was spirited driving on those curvy roads I just mentioned. For everyday use it is just like any other Focus. You will get slightly less fuel economy but you will leave traffic at the stop lights with ease. Same amount of storage and room which is good on the Focus. Not best in class but good enough. Rear seats are a tad short on leg room. Front row is fine. The ST1 trim gets you the basic Ford Sync system with a 4.2" non-touch center screen (It does have a backup camera with distance and trajectory markings) and a 6 speaker single CD, AM/FM radio, MP3 stereo system without Sirius/XM. You also get manually controlled cloth seats with less aggressive bolstering than the Recaro seats that come with the ST2 and ST3 trim levels. The ST1 cloth seats are comfortable and look nice. I don't think a moonroof option is available on the base ST1 trim level. You also don't get the rear seat armrest and cup holders or the sunglasses holder near the rearview mirror. The ST2 and ST3 trim levels give you more options including leather trimmed (ST2) or full leather Recaro seats (ST3) with aggresive bolstering and power controls on the ST3. The ST2 and ST3 trim levels get heated front seats and side mirrors. The ST3 trim also includes a heated steering wheel. The ST2 and ST3 are both equipped with Ford's Sync 3 system, an 8" touch screen and a Sony sound system with subwoofer and Sirius/XM. Integrated navigation is also available on both the ST2 and ST3. The Ford Focus ST is easily the most fun to drive and one of the fastest front drive only cars you can buy today. In its basic ST1 trim it's a steal if you don't need or want all those options on the much higher priced trim levels (thousands higher for each trim level). Everyday usability, decent fuel economy and when you feel like dipping into the turbo's boost, sport car performance. The ST in basic trim is just an amazing car for only $20,500 but if need more luxuries they are available too. I will be driving my Focus ST for as long as it lasts.
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Traded our Focus Hatch for a Focus ST
Charles, 07/02/2016
updated 07/07/2017
2016 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
We were looking at an SUV (Escape) when the ST caufgt our attention. We really hated the idea of driving an SUV on an every day basis and we loved our Focus. The dealer threw in roof racks for those occasional hauling duties and we stayed with a Focus but one with amazing performance. The one weak point in our previous Focus was the auto transmission. We love driving a manual again as it ups the fun factor to a considerable degree. The ST is a delight, fast, fun, and engaging. We take it everywhere because its such fun to drive. One down side is the Recaro seats. My butt fits fine. However, I'm 5'7", 175, with broad shoulders. The Recaro seats are too constricting at the shoulders. I'd have been happier with the regular front seats in the Focus. Overall, we love the ST and are looking forward to putting many miles on it as we explore the back roads of America. An addition benefit is that I get to buy American, something we consider important.
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Ford has Finally Brought This Winner to the USA!
bigbmc26, 03/30/2016
2016 Ford Focus ST 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Everything you've read about the car is true, it's just simply a blast to drive. I've had it for a week now, and I find myself having to pay more attention to my speed as the car wants you to open it up. I cross shopped the WRX, Focus ST, & GTI. They all drove great, but for the money, Ford come out on top. The Recaro seats take a minute to get used to, but after driving daily, I love them. I'm 5'7", 215 lbs and they fit like a glove now. I do wish it offered more internal storage, but other than that, no complaints. If you're looking for some utility with a lot of fun, don't skip driving this car. You won't regret it. Will update review with reliability, maintenance cost, etc. after owing for a year or so.
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