10 things you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus ST | Rare Techy

The Ford Focus ST had been one of the sportiest offerings in the range of compact hatchbacks. Since the 2018 model launched with an MSRP of $26,045, the Focus ST managed to tick the box for most gearheads who don’t want to compromise on versatility and performance. This made it a compelling proposition when it was on sale, making it a perfect choice in the used car market even today.

This sporty hatchback features a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine, a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, and a modern suspension setup. Ford it was nice to drive. The interior is spacious enough and fuel economy is better than some competitors. You can also get a used Focus ST for around $13,000, making it pretty good value for money. Here are 10 things you need to know about the Ford Focus ST before you make a purchase decision.

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10/10 Ford Focus ST looks very sporty

The design language of the Ford Focus ST fits well with the overall sporty characteristics of the ride. This helps it go head-to-head with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Subaru WRX. The exterior proportions of the Fiesta ST are similar to those of regular Fiestas, but Ford has managed to bring out a number of subtle changes to help it stand out.

Double stripes in contrasting colors run from the front bumper to the rear. Other highlights like 18-inch Rado gray painted aluminum alloy wheels, wing spoiler, LED headlights with LED DRLs, subtle fenders and dual exhaust system are also on board.

9/10 The Ford Focus ST is a bit tight inside

If you’re looking for a spacious family hauler, the Ford Focus ST isn’t ideal. Although it is a five-seater hatchback, rear seat space is not one of its strengths. Rear seat passengers have much less leg and shoulder room than the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza.

There’s no center armrest in the back, and 37.2 inches of headroom makes it a bit tight for taller people. At the same time, the front seats are equal to competitors in terms of overall space. There are enough cubes and storage spaces inside as well. The cargo volume of 23.8 cubic meters is also decent.

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8/10 The Ford Focus ST came with a powerful transmission

The Ford Focus ST is a hot hatch that’s well above the regular Fiesta and a notch below the track-ready Fiesta RS. This machine is capable of churning out a whopping 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque with its 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection inline-4 engine. This engine is also mated to a 6-speed manual and FWD transmission.

0-60 MPH takes 6.5 seconds and the quarter mile takes 14.7 seconds. Curb weight of 2,742 pounds is also lower than all rivals in the segment. This helped the Ford Focus ST to be much faster than the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza.

7/10 The Ford Focus ST doesn’t have many reliability issues

The Ford Focus ST is reliable enough, especially considering its impressive performance and acceleration numbers. But the Honda Civic hatchback still ranks first when it comes to reliability. The Focus ST has some common problems that aren’t too expensive to fix.

Owners have reported minor engine oil leaks due to oil seal failure. According to members of the FocusST forum, there were also some electrical gremlins. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is synonymous with its reliability, and that’s good to know. This makes the Focus ST the perfect choice to enter the used car market.

6/10 The Ford Focus ST comes with many interior and exterior features as standard

The Ford Focus ST was in production until the end of 2019, and that doesn’t make it too old. This is also reflected in the list of features it comes with as standard. Step into the Fiesta ST and you won’t feel burdened by the lack of many essential features.

Standard equipment includes a 60/40 split rear seat, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, cloth sport seats with ST logo, SYNC communication system, 6-speaker sound system and turn-by-turn navigation. Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, spoiler, blacked-out grille and LED fog lights.

5/10 The Ford Focus ST’s infotainment system is mediocre at best

The infotainment system on offer with the Ford Focus ST is nothing to write home about. It lacks many of the essential connectivity and entertainment features you’d expect these days, and that’s a big bummer for a lot of people out there.

The SYNC infotainment system has a 4.2-inch LCD screen located in the center of the dashboard. This system offers some features like voice recognition, 911 Assist, app link, Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted audio controls, USB ports and AUX. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available.

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4/10 Ford Focus ST has excellent modification potential

Being a Ford hot hatch, there is a huge community of petrolheads who have managed to make some impressive modifications. Some common modifications include upgraded suspension, high performance brake pads and rotors, performance and cold air intakes.

You can get tracks from brands like Cobb Accesssport and SCT X4, and it’s one of the cheapest ways to get an extra 50 Whp. Advanced downpipes and decatting are also very common among enthusiasts. If you want your entire setup to be a little more powerful and reliable, we recommend upgrading the intercooler as well.

3/10 The Ford Focus ST offers tight handling

Handling must be one of the most important factors that enthusiasts would look for before buying a car in the hot hatch segment. Fortunately, the Ford Focus ST comes with a modern suspension system that makes it a nice factory-handling hatchback.

The front end is equipped with a shock absorber suspension with coil springs and the rear end gets a short and long arm suspension with coil springs. The suspension is also sportily tuned. There’s a brake-actuated limited-slip differential that helps take the power down comfortably.

2/10 The Ford Focus ST offers top-level braking performance

The braking hardware has been updated compared to the regular Ford Focus and this is reflected in the braking performance. A four-wheel disc brake setup with 12.6-inch front rotors and 10.7-inch rear rotors, along with fat 235-section Y-tyres, provides considerable stopping power.

Braking from 60-0 MPH takes 120 feet, and that’s well below rivals in the segment. Braking features such as brake assist, ABS with EBD, front ventilated rotors and hill hold control are also standard.

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1/10 The Ford Focus ST has an affordable price

If you’re looking to get a hot hatch off the used market, the Ford Focus ST makes a lot of sense. Although used car pricing has dropped due to a shortage of chips and long waiting times for cars, the Focus ST is still within reach.

You can get a clean example with not so high miles and no crashes for around $14,000 and that’s quite a lot of value for such a powerful little car. The Focus ST’s excellent reliability also means you can easily take the car to high mileage without breaking the bank. Cheap parts and easy customization are also a plus.