Monday 14th November 2016

Focus RS vs. Focus ST: PH Blog

So just how do the Focus hot hatch duo compare? To Wales!

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Ford Focus RS against Ford Focus ST wasn't a planned comparison, which probably made it more enjoyable. The RS was being collected by Ford for a service, the ST was a courtesy car and, well, we had a rally road trip coming up; we spoke to Ford, its stay was extended and there was a twin-test to conduct when the RS was back.

Don't forget there's another fast Ford Focus

Well, of sorts. Fact is if you want, can afford and can get a Focus RS, the lesser front-wheel drive car probably won't cut it. And for someone considering a Focus ST, even this ST-3 with a few options is more than £3,000 less than a base RS. Still, it would be interesting to see where the RS improves upon the ST and where, just perhaps, the ST might hold a few advantages.

Obviously the RS is miles quicker, right? Erm... It's not a night and day difference, put it that way. While the 2.3 in the RS is more eager, more responsive and more willing than the ST's 2.0-litre, its 350hp is shifting 1,599kg and the red car's 250hp is only moving 1,437kg. So it is faster, yes, but not massively so. If you see a Mountune badge on an ST then just be wary RS drivers...

But when the roads around the Elan Valley become beautifully, brilliantly Welsh, the RS is the place to be. Turn in is sharp and its composure unshakeable, shrugging off bumps that see the ST flare up into wheelspin. The RS is a more immersive and precise experience, with more weight to the controls, more noise and more sense of occasion. As you would rightly expect.

The ST isn't left floundering, however. It's easy to forget how good a hot hatch it is, what with the rise of the mega hatches in recent years. There feels to have been a few tweaks since we last drove one too, this car less prone to torque steer than the earlier cars. The Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted to this car - same as the RS, in fact - must contribute to that additional poise, and it's a really enjoyable car to drive a Welsh B-road in. The steering is more natural than in the RS, for example, less prone to the blue car's aggressive self centring.

Wales in hot hatches? Bliss!

It rides a little more fluently too, flowing with a pockmarked road rather than bullying it like the RS. While this means it can struggle a little at the limit, at those points where the RS's superior damping can show off, it makes for a car that works really nicely in the UK. It's rather more comfortable on the M4 too.

There can't really be a conclusion here, because these two aren't direct rivals. But it was interesting to note the exact moments the RS was preferred to the ST, and the weekend also served as a reminder of how good the latter is. Certainly there was more demand for that key than the RS for the journey home. There will be more to follow on the blue car soon but, if you're in the market for a hot hatch, don't forget the other fast Ford!

Matt

Photos: Ben Lowden

[FN2TypeR]

Certainly there was more demand for that key than the RS for the journey home.

Surely not?

Both great cars in their own ways, the ST would have to be orange though, for my tastes.

It's good to see that they have made tweaks to the ST steering too, the word I heard used for the earlier models was "busy", which would almost certainly spoil the fun.

Edited by FN2TypeR on Monday 14th November 13:12

[FN2TypeR]

3yardy3 said:

If it was your money Matt?

The RS for me (even though you asked Matt!) - even if I drove both and thought the difference wasn't a massive gulf the residuals, if the MK1 and MK2 are anything to go by, will be as hard as granite, spend four grand more, reap the benefits come cashing in time.

It'd have to be grey though, I think the blue, whilst a funky colour in its own right, makes the car look cheap.

[FN2TypeR]

David87 said:

Msportman said:

My Golf R has adaptive chassis with KW DCC and is currently tuned to 400bhp and over 420lbs running DSG VWR BBK Super Pro wishbones with 1/2 degree extra camber and is a world away from my previous MK5 GTI ED30 running stage 2 circc 360....in the wet it really struggled even with a diff and KW Clubsports.

It must be very fast with so many acronyms.

OMG IKR right?



In all seriousness I bet that thing goes like the clappers - in a relatively anonymous Golf too, I like your style sir.