The initials “RS” are strong enough to send sweat dripping down the spine of a rival rally car driver on a drag strip against the iconic Ford Focus RS. The blue devil is a beacon of brutal speed, performance, and power, flying Ford Motors flag to great highs in the performance motoring world.

In the same spirit, Ford yet again has unleashed the initials "ST" that is synonymous with superb performance, with an also relatively healthy reputation in the motoring scene. Amid the confusion between the two, there’s an important underlying question. Which is better? Fortunately for you, this guide simplifies your curiosity. Here’s a detailed comparison between the 2019 Ford Focus RS and ST.

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10 Overview: Ford Focus RS and Ford Focus ST

The 2019 Ford Focus RS has quite a reputation; it’s a rally champ and a mega hatch. It's not your everyday hot hatch due to its love for the redline, with performance and thrills that are common with top tier sports cars.

The Ford Focus ST, on the other hand, is a forgiving version of the RS. The ST is the good cop, a detuned version of the Ford Focus RS, but with a healthy throttle and a dash of pedigree. The ST might seem pale compared to the RS, but it doesn’t mean it will take a beating on the streets. The 2019 Ford Focus ST is not a convenience store vessel.

9 Engine and Performance

The Ford Focus RS packs a 2.3L turbocharged petrol engine that generates a whopping 345hp on an all-wheel-drive system. It will do zero to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, rivaling classmates such as the Honda Civic Type-R and the BMW M140i.

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The Ford Focus ST comes with two engine variants petrol or a diesel option in both hatchback and wagon versions. The diesel version makes 187hp while the petrol version offers 276hp matching Renault’s Megane RS with a bit more punch than the Hyundai i30N. It also comes with a limited-slip differential standard to its petrol version to help minimize wheel spin.

8 Ride Quality and Handling

To add on its arsenal, the Ford Focus RS comes standard with an all-wheel-drive system that helps it bolt off the line outpacing rivals like the BMW140i up to 30mph. It can do zero to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, and apart from its quick-changing gears, you also get a clever launch control system for the perfect getaway. Its all-wheel system automatically shifts between the front and rear wheels keeping the vehicle balanced through bends.

The Ford Focus ST, on the other hand, doesn’t disappoint either, while it's not at par with the RS, it feels enjoyable on the road. You’ll get an adaptive cruise control standard on the petrol, with the limited-slip differential working great to magnify the traction.

7 Interior Design

The 2019 Ford Focus RS comes standard with part-leather Recaro Racing seats that are perfect for cornering. The dash isn’t different from the regular Ford Focus apart from a turbo boost, oil temperature, and oil pressure gauges. Its interior is nothing to write home about compared to the BMW140i.

The 2019 Ford Focus ST also comes with Recaro seats, and like the RS the materials used are a little bit iffy; however, details such as the alloy pedals and the ST-engraved stainless-steel cuffs add a little bit of charm to the hatch.

6 Tech and Entertainment

The 2019 Ford Focus RS comes with an 8-inch infotainment system standard; prospective owners also get smartphone pairing features. Its touchscreen is a bit confusing for 2019, with a few icons hard to hit accurately.

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The ST, on the other hand, comes with Ford’s latest Sync 3 infotainment system, it's not the best, but at least offers Apple's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. It also comes with an impressive Bang and Olufsen stereo that offers a mind-blowing 675 watts with its 10-speaker system.

5 Cabin and Trunk Space

The Ford Focus RS doesn’t offer the appealing cabin space, and if roominess and convenience are what you are after, it won’t make a great fit. You’ll still get ample space even for tall adults on the front; however, two 6-ft individuals at the back will be cramping the vehicle. For cargo, you can fold down the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. It also offers adequate trunk space that can fit five carries on suitcases.

The ST, on the other hand, is roomier, with plenty of space both at the front and the back. The Wagon version offers quite an impressive cargo space compared to the RS, and potential owners will be able to fit much more compared to the RS.

4 Fuel Economy

The Ford Focus RS rates poorly when it comes to fuel economy compared to rival hatches. According to ratings, it averaged around 31.2mpg compared to other hatches like the civic that does 35.1mpg.

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The Ford Focus ST, on the other, has an efficiency that stands at 35.8mpg, which, compared to its rivals, is fair since you’ll be able to enjoy its abilities against the numbers. Both the Ford Focus RS and ST offer impressive performance; however, the ST makes a better daily driver when it comes to fuel economy compared to the RS.

3 Price Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Both the Ford Focus ST and RS offer great prices, with the ST starting at $26,045. American enthusiasts won't get dibs on the new RS since Ford doesn’t plan on having the new version of the new RS version in the US. The company has used up all the car nameplates for the US to save for the Mustang.

It’s too early to predict the price of the new Ford Focus RS since it won’t be available until 2020. But with the third generation RS capped at $41,120, the new RS could cost about $45,000.

2 Driver-Assistance and Safety Features

The 2019 Ford ST has an impressive array of tech features that it quite an impressive car for owners who love their gadgets. The ST offers track sign recognition, Low-speed safety system or Active City Stop that helps in the prevention of low-speed collisions during urban driving. According to Ford, at speeds below 10mph and 20mph, the vehicle can stop without driver intervention.

Unfortunately, the Ford RS doesn’t offer any piece of driver assistance to its drivers apart from the backup camera. If you are looking for an added layer of protection, you’ll be out of luck getting the Ford Focus RS.

1 Warranty and Maintenance

Apart from Volkswagens' lengthier vehicle coverage, both the Ford Focus RS and Ford Focus ST offer similar warranty terms that are more or less in line with other hot sport compacts in their class.

For instance, owners looking to get limited warranty will get up to 3 years or 36,000 miles cover, for powertrain warranty, it’s five years or up to 60,000 miles cover. Prospective owners don’t get complimentary scheduled maintenance for Ford Focus Vehicles.

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