For most of the 20th century, Ford's compact family car offering came in the form of the Escort. While North America and Europe received two different versions, the Escort carried the economy car class on both continents. One of the reasons the Escort is so well-known was for its success in motorsports and the subsequent performance versions that Ford released, such as the RS1600 and the RS2000. Even though North America never got those, they remain among the most legendary performance cars of all time.

When the Blue Oval launched the revolutionary replacement for the Escort, the Focus, in 1998, it was clear that performance models were on the cards. North America got the SVT Focus, whereas Europe got the ST170 and the RS. While Ford skipped a performance model for the second generation in North America, by the third generation, the hot Focus returned in the form of the ST.

2013-2018 Ford Focus ST Mk3

7.80 / 10
Key Features
  • Standard manual transmission
  • Characterful turbo engine
  • Great fun
Specifications
  • Engine/Motor: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 252 hp
  • Torque: 270 lb-ft
  • Drivetrain: FWD
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
Pros
  • Epic fun to drive
  • Relatively subtle
  • Bargain
Cons
  • Not the best-looking hot hatch
  • Infotainment software bugs
  • Not as well-engineered as a GTI

Overview Of The Focus ST

Front 3/4 view of a gray Focus ST
Ford

The Ford Focus ST is the hot hatchback derivative of the third generation Focus, offered in North America from 2012 to 2020. The Focus ST arrived for the 2013 model year, and Ford offered it until 2018. With the automaker's decision to axe their regular cars in favor of SUVs and trucks, the fourth generation Focus and subsequent ST model, unfortunately, didn't make it to North America.

Rear 3/4 view of a gray Focus ST
Ford

RELATED: Here's Everything We Know About The 2021 Ford Focus STThe Focus ST had quite a few external differences compared to the regular model. At the front, there's a more aggressive front bumper with a bigger grille and bigger air intakes. The grille on the pre-facelift model formed the basis for the grille found on the entire Focus range after the 2015 facelift.

The side features aggressive side skirts and unique alloy wheel designs, while the rear benefits from a substantially sized spoiler and a very distinctive central exhaust system. The third generation ST's main competition is the VW GTI. Europe also received a station wagon version of the Focus ST, but sadly, North America never got that one.

Focus ST Powertrain And Drivetrain

2012 Ford Focus ST orange performance car
Ford

Whereas the Europe only Mk2 Focus ST received a turbo five-cylinder from Volvo, the Mk3 went back to a more conventional four-cylinder. It's not something to scoff at though. Under the hood of the third generation ST is a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four pot making 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The engine sent its power only to the front wheels, and only through a six-speed manual transmission. Ford never offered this ST with an automatic.

Rear 3/4 view of an orange Focus ST on the move
Ford

RELATED: Doug DeMuro Explains Why The Ford Focus ST Is A Great Bargain Hot HatchA 0-60 time is somewhere in the mid 6-second range, and the top speed is around 155 mph. In terms of the driving experience, as the regular Focus hatchback is already way too fun to drive for its own good, the Focus ST is even better. It's not as darty or as throwable as the Fiesta ST, but in terms of pure driving fun, the Focus ST is truly among the best.

Focus ST Comfort And Quality

The interior of the Focus ST
Ford

While it's easy to tell the Focus ST apart from the regular Focus on the outside, the interior doesn't have as many key differentiators. There's a subtle ST badge on the steering wheel, one on the door sills, and the standard fit Recaro sports seats. Other than that, it's basically Focus business as usual.

The rear seats in the Focus ST
Ford

RELATED: The 2021 Focus ST Estate: A Wagon We Wish We Could Have In The StatesBeing the most expensive model in the lineup, the Focus ST received basically all the mod cons. Cruise control, dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats, parking sensors, and the Sony sound system paired with Ford's problematic MyFordTouch interface and SYNC2. This is a significant reliability concern, as the system sometimes throws up serious bugs.

Other things to look out for on the Focus ST are negligible. The rear hatch bolts, the lug nuts, the front grille inserts might need replacement at some point. You also may need to check the spark plugs, but they're very easy to replace. Overall, the Focus ST is a pretty dependable hot hatchback. It seats five passengers in (relative) comfort, and boasts 13.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 44.1 cubic feet with them down.

Focus ST Prices

The front of an orange Focus ST, gunmetal wheels
Ford

Even though the current automotive market is going haywire with prices, the Mk3 Focus ST remains a relative bargain. While there are examples selling for less than $10,000, they either have 300,000+ miles or they have been in an accident. A decent example with less than 100,000 miles will set you back around $18,000.

Rear 3/4 view of the Focus ST in orange, gunmetal wheels
Ford

A robust powertrain, decent mod cons, cool styling, and one of the best driving experiences you can get on a hot hatchback definitely make the Mk3 Ford Focus ST worth its market value.