We spend a week in the newly-refreshed and still highly-entertaining performance compact from Ford

2015 Ford Focus ST

Pros

Stellar performance
Entertaining chassis
Upscale interior

Cons

Torque steer on hard acceleration
Smallish back seat
Distracting portions of Sync system remain

2015 Ford Focus ST

2015 Ford Focus ST

Every once in a while we have the opportunity to get our hands on a vehicle that we've looked forward to driving for quite some time. Such is the case with our latest tester, the 2015 Ford Focus ST.

The Focus ST was introduced in 2012 as a 2013 model and, until the RS came to market for the 2016 model year, represented the highest-performing Ford C-segment model available here in the U.S. Even more surprising is despite the fact that it was just two years into its current model cycle, the Blue Oval gave its hot-shoe compact a mild refresh for the 2015 model year.

2015 Ford Focus ST

Exterior

Up front, new slimmer headlamp enclosures bracket a revamped front fascia with a revised lower air intake, fog lights and fog light surrounds. In back, the lower fascia has been re-worked with the black finned trim now spanning the entire width. New exterior options, which appear on the evaluation vehicle we received, include such boy racer touches as twin racing stripes with matching mirror caps along with a new 18-inch alloy wheel design that comes with red painted brake calipers.

2015 Ford Focus ST

Interior

The interior of the ST both incorporates and enhances the premium look and feel of other Focus models, while 2015 changes include a slick new flat-bottomed steering wheel and a revised center stack for improved storage. The pedals are trimmed in aluminum as is the leather-wrapped shift knob.

The gauge package in front of the driver includes a speedometer, tachometer, fuel and engine coolant temperature while three additional ones set in a special alcove on the dashboard above the center stack measure oil temperature, turbo boost and oil pressure. All are easy to read and well lit.

2015 Ford Focus ST

With buttons for all functions, the automatic climate control system is very easy to use. There are also redundant buttons for the infotainment system, as well. That leaves many features of the phone and navigation system still relying on the Sync touchscreen system. It's a big improvement, but operating those Sync-dependent functions can often be distracting.

Like other Foci, there's plenty of leg, knee, hip and headroom up front. But while the standard Recaro seats found in the ST are extremely supportive, their aggressive bolstering means that they may not be comfortable for everyone. Meanwhile in the back seat, as with other Focus models, there's room for two adults, while a third passenger is only suggested for short trips around town.

2015 Ford Focus ST

On the other hand, the ST's performance cred doesn't negate the fact that it still offers the advantages of hatchback versatility, with 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row that expands to 44.8 cubic feet with both back seats folded flat.

Despite a high beltline, views out the front and sides are excellent, while the view out the rear three-quarters isn't bad, helped by a window between the C- and D-pillars. The view out back, however, is hindered by the sloping roofline, small rear window and rear seat headrests. Fortunately, Ford has made a rear view camera standard equipment on all 2015 Focus STs.

2015 Ford Focus ST

Under the hood

Now we get to the really good stuff.

All Focus STs come with an all-aluminum, high-output 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-4 that produces 252 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at just 2,500 rpm. It's mated to the only transmission available, which is a 6-speed manual with close-ratio lower gears for performance and wider ratio upper gears for fuel efficient highway cruising.

It's rated by the EPA at 23/32/26 city/highway/combined mpg while my own observed fuel economy worked out to be 28.9 miles per gallon on the highway and 19.5 mpg in the city.

2015 Ford Focus ST

On the road

The Focus St comes with firmer suspension bushings, shocks and springs (up front, for example, the springs are 30 percent stiffer – although some of that is to support the additional weight of the engine and transmission). And while the rear stabilizer bar is the same diameter as a standard Focus, a rear knuckle unique to the ST moves its mounting point for a 1:1 motion ratio for maximum efficiency.

The result is a ride that's definitely on the firm side, but the compliant suspension does a nice job of filtering out all but the largest bumps. There is no apparent body lean in corners and even the all-season tires on our tester offered up plenty of grip. Likewise, the steering is sharp, communicative and nicely weighted with no on-center numbness.

2015 Ford Focus ST

The 6-speed manual shifts smoothly and feels as if it's directly connected to the transmission, while the clutch action is both smooth and progressive. Put your foot into it and acceleration is instantaneous with absolutely no turbo lag, easily winding up to its 6,500 rpm redline. Torque steer is present on hard acceleration, but take it from us, it's minor compared to that of the Mazdaspeed 3.

The brakes on the ST are another of its high points (in front, 12.6-inch versus 10.9-inch rotors on a regular Focus, while the rears are unchanged at 10.7 inches) and are on par with the best in the compact segment. They’re strong with a nice initial bite, easy to modulate and there’s plenty of feedback through the pedal.

2015 Ford Focus ST

Needless to say, merging onto the expressway is effortless with more than enough power on tap for passing. At highway speeds the Focus ST also feels well planted – you always have a great sense of where you are on the road.

Interior sound levels, especially for a compact, are very good. In both around town driving and on the freeway, very little in the way of road, wind and tire noise makes its way into the cabin.

2015 Ford Focus ST

2015 Focus ST pricing

The 2015 Focus ST has a starting MSRP, including shipping, of $25,245, while a fully-optioned and accessorized example can come in at just over $32,000.

Our Oxford White tester was close to the top and had a base price of $24,370. The $4,680 402A group added HID headlights, automatic climate control, heated seats, steering wheel and mirrors, a navigation system, 6-way power driver's seat and ambient interior lighting. $495 for special wheels and painted brake calipers, $495 for the exterior red racing stripes and $825 for destination and delivery brought its total MSRP to $30,865.

2015 Ford Focus ST

The Bottom Line

Spending a week on one confirmed our initial assumptions that there would be a lot to like about the Focus ST. It has the versatility of a hatchback a well-executed interior that's relatively quiet, while, for the money, its performance and handling are extremely entertaining without sacrificing too much in the way of everyday comfort.

2015 Ford Focus ST