2014 Ford Focus: Three Cylinders (US), Style Updates (US/EU/ETC)

[homeforsummer]

Must admit, even the basking shark styling is growing on me a little with the ST. I mean, it still looks a mess, but it's just bothering me less now.

Still, can't help feeling that if I were blessed with the sort of money to buy one I'd be putting it towards a car from the class down instead (i.e. RenaultSport Clio etc) or looking at something a bit more interesting like a Scirocco.

It sounds daft, but on UK roads anything over 200bhp is borderline unusable day-to-day. There's something a bit depressing about only being able to use a handful of percent of a car's performance on a daily basis. Unsurprisingly, much more fun if you live in Germany and can regularly exploit all that shove on the autobahn.

 

[Joey D]

So they love the car, got 15mpg, rave about the electric steering because it doesn't suck, and ignore the poor interior because "it's a focus after all."

The computer's fuel mileage calculator thing is really wrong in the Focus. It'll say I'm getting 30mpg and when I calculate it out after I fill up the next time it works out to be 35mpg. 15mpg isn't that bad for a turbocharged car hooning around, I mean what did Top Gear get with that Evo? 9mpg or something like that. Cruising down the road like a normal person I'd have to imagine mid to upper 20's with low 30's on the highway.

And they didn't say it had a poor interior, they said it was nothing special, which it isn't since it's the lower trim model. Move up in the packages and you get real leather Recaro's, MyFordTouch, and better laid out center stack.

There is quite a bit to rave about with the car, American doesn't really have anything else that compares to it aside from a GTI, which has less power and is slightly more expensive. We still do have the MINI Cooper S JCW and the Fiat 500 Abarth, but I'm not sure how they'd fall into the mix since they are expensive, less practical, and have less power.

The regular Focus handles really well already, especially with the sport suspension package, so I'm going to assume the ST handles even better than that, which is something to rave about.

Still, can't help feeling that if I were blessed with the sort of money to buy one I'd be putting it towards a car from the class down instead (i.e. RenaultSport Clio etc) or looking at something a bit more interesting like a Scirocco.

The joys of being in Europe, you guys get way more hot hatches over there then we do here. As mentioned above we get the GTI, along with the MINI and the Fiat. There are WRX hatchbacks but they are ~$2,000 more than the GTI and ST.

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I would seriously consider an ST for my next vehicle after reading the reviews. I really wish they would have been out when I was going to buy a car since I would have spent the same on the ST as I did my Titanium, although I would have had less stuff on it. The real competitor is lurking with the Dodge Dart SRT-4 whenever they get around to releasing it (2014MY), apparently it's rumoured to have 300hp. I'd bet Dodge would shoot for a lower starting price for it too over the ST or GTI.

 

[Kent]

So how much does this thing cost in USD?

 

[Joey D]

So how much does this thing cost in USD?

The ST starts at $23,700, at least in the Detroit area, I'm sure it's slightly more in other regions due to destination charges.

 

[YSSMAN]

Even then, give it 9-12 months on the market and you'll likely be able to get some kind of discount on it. I know I get a discount through my father on new Fords (among several other brands), and I'd seriously consider using it on one of these. Given that it is near-enough the same price as a Mustang V6 Track Pack, that's a tough choice to make.

Knowing that SRT is working on a modified Dart, it really disappoints me that, as far as I know, GM has no plans for a hyped-up Cruze. The closest we'll get is the Verano Turbo, which is no bad deal, but it'll likely be expensive. Like, $25k+ expensive.

 

[hawkeye122]

The ST starts at $23,700, at least in the Detroit area, I'm sure it's slightly more in other regions due to destination charges.

That translates to about $30,000 here in Cali...
Destination Charge
CA Emissions Charge
And another $5k because it MIGHT be sought after, and the Dealers can get away with selling it for that much more. GT, 302, and Shelby Mustangs, and the top-notch Taurus have such a massive premium... Especially the Mustangs...

If you're buying it in SF, you can be charged up to $2K just in taxes and fees.

 

[homeforsummer]

And they didn't say it had a poor interior, they said it was nothing special, which it isn't since it's the lower trim model. Move up in the packages and you get real leather Recaro's, MyFordTouch, and better laid out center stack.

Erm... surely the ST is the top trim level as it is? I don't think you can get an ST LX (or whatever) and then ST Titanium. The interior the ST gets is the interior it gets.

Unfortunately, even speccing it up you'd still have the same basic architecture and materials, neither of which has found much favour on this side of the pond.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Over here in NL, the Focus ST will cost about the same as the Golf GTI and Mégane RS. The Focus ST is the only one that also comes as a station though.

 

[Joey D]

Erm... surely the ST is the top trim level as it is? I don't think you can get an ST LX (or whatever) and then ST Titanium. The interior the ST gets is the interior it gets.

Unfortunately, even speccing it up you'd still have the same basic architecture and materials, neither of which has found much favour on this side of the pond.

There is the ST1, ST2, and ST3 trim specs that all come with different stuff both on the interior and exterior. The ST1 is the base which is what was the one tested in the review. It's similar to the SE model Focus which is really basic, the ST2 is on par with the SEL and the ST3 is on par with the Titanium.

The interior on the Focus is one of the best we've had from a domestic cad in a long time. The Cruze isn't bad and looks great, it just feels cheapish, at least the model I drove. The Dart's interior will be much nicer than both though.

 

[homeforsummer]

There is the ST1, ST2, and ST3 trim specs

The world is getting too confusing these days. I miss when an ST was an ST...

The interior on the Focus is one of the best we've had from a domestic cad in a long time. The Cruze isn't bad and looks great, it just feels cheapish, at least the model I drove. The Dart's interior will be much nicer than both though.

Quality-wise it's okay but in the Focus/Fiesta I detest the 1990s Nokia cellphone design to the console. It's like they signed off the interior a decade ago but couldn't put it in a car until now.

 

[Joey D]

Quality-wise it's okay but in the Focus/Fiesta I detest the 1990s Nokia cellphone design to the console. It's like they signed off the interior a decade ago but couldn't put it in a car until now.

The non-MFT equipped cars do have a funny looking center stack which does look a lot like an old mobile phone, but the ones with MFT look pretty good and up to date. I just hate they used piano black, it's hopeless trying to keep it clean.

 

[Kent]

So the Euro Spec model, is that in the US?
Or are we talking 23,500 for the base US spec?

Either way it's really knocking on the door of many other cars. I'd be hesitant to buy this when I could go to the sports car side and get a Mustang or BRZ, and at the same time you can keep it family friendly and get a WRX or something similar.

 

[Joey D]

So the Euro Spec model, is that in the US?
Or are we talking 23,500 for the base US spec?

Either way it's really knocking on the door of many other cars. I'd be hesitant to buy this when I could go to the sports car side and get a Mustang or BRZ, and at the same time you can keep it family friendly and get a WRX or something similar.

Yes, the MSRP for the US spec ST is $23,700 + whatever destination charge.

I also don't think you'd be looking at a Focus ST if you were considering a Mustang or a BRZ, they are completely different cars. The ST is a hot hatch, meaning you can haul stuff around along with your family while still having some fun. The Mustang and BRZ both have pretty useless back seat and cargo area so they aren't exactly family friendly.

If you were going for strictly a performance car to hoon with there are better buys out there, I don't disagree with that.

The WRX is similar, but more expensive and I would wager a few hundred pounds heavier to boot. But other than a WRX you've got a GTI and that about does it for family friendly hot hatchbacks in the US, the Cooper S JCW and Abarth are way to small to be considered. I suppose the new Velostar Turbo will be up there but that car is terrible.

Don't get me wrong I like the WRX and think it's a pretty decent car performance wise. The ST will be a strong competitor against it though and if we get the RS it will be nipping at the heels of the STI pretty easily. In the end the consumer wins since I've sure a bit of a rivalry will form between the two companies.

**EDIT: I forgot about the MS3, which is probably the closest competition to the ST out of any of the other cars discussed. And fun fact, many of the parts will be interchangeable.

 

[homeforsummer]

And fun fact, many of the parts will be interchangeable.

Will they? The current Focus now uses a lot of different bits and no longer shares a platform with the Mazda. The engine is different for a start but I expect much of the rest of it is too. Mazda and Ford no longer have any ties beyond the Fiesta/2, to my knowledge.

 

[eSZee]

Yes, the MSRP for the US spec ST is $23,700 + whatever destination charge.

I also don't think you'd be looking at a Focus ST if you were considering a Mustang or a BRZ, they are completely different cars.

I agree, however, many people buy cars just to buy them. Reading th elatest AutoWeek, some guys said he picked his Civic Si out of a field of WRX, Mustang, Genesis coupe.
When it boils down, these are all cheap, fun/performance cars and the ST would be towards the bottom of my list.
As for the weight difference, there might be 50 pounds or so in favor of the non AWD ST over the WRX.

 

[Joey D]

Will they? The current Focus now uses a lot of different bits and no longer shares a platform with the Mazda. The engine is different for a start but I expect much of the rest of it is too. Mazda and Ford no longer have any ties beyond the Fiesta/2, to my knowledge.

Yup, guys on Focus Fanatics have already been swapping parts out.

 

[homeforsummer]

Yup, guys on Focus Fanatics have already been swapping parts out.

Huh. I thought they'd ended the parts bin sharing. Maybe a few odds and sods are common regardless.

 

[niky]

I doubt they'd dump a whole new suspension under it.

Funny thing... we had a 2012 Mazda3 (but without SkyActiv) for a test drive, the shop pulled out everything and swapped in the previous-gen suspension whole.

Did the same thing with the FB Civic. The car is longer, the cabin is completely different, but the old suspension mods work. Completely

 

[terminator363]

It looks great alright! I don't like the three-part grill though. I personally love compacts but I'd much rather go with any other European manufacturer than ford when it goes to styling.

 

[Joey D]

Shelby Focus ST

From Jalopnik...

Auto shows are rarely surprising anymore. We typically know what every single car is that's coming out well before the show.

But then again, there are some surprises. Shelby had a still covered one when we arrived in Detroit this morning: A Ford Focus ST. Interesting.

Details are currently non-existent on the car. We just wanted to let you know there's something to anticipate from Shelby besides a random Mustang.

Ok, carry on.

I'm surprised it isn't a Mustang, I thought that's all Shelby did now was random editions of the Mustang with funny names and numbers. I'm excited to see what it looks like and I'm really excited to know if Shelby is going to start making go-fast parts for my car because it's in bad need of some.

 

[Slash]

Wow so interested in seeing that ST.

 

[Keef]

So they love the car, got 15mpg, rave about the electric steering because it doesn't suck, and ignore the poor interior because "it's a focus after all."

If I were testing a 240 horse turbo hatch I probably wouldn't be able to manage that many mpgs. Rest assured they weren't driving slow - these are car enthusiasts, not old ladies. As for the interior quality, remember that CAR is a European magazine and therefore they are comparing it to all the other cars available over there which we don't get, which is most of them. Joey owns a normal Focus and I've been in them and I'm sure we both agree that it's a very nice place to be for its price range. In Europe new cars are often have a price premium over versions in the US because the market for spanky new ones is tighter and customers expect better quality for that more premium price.

 

[niky]

It might be a poor interior for a $25k car, but on the basic Focus, it's fantastic. The new Civic and Impreza are mighty disappointing in comparison, and Hyundai... well... call me when they discover sound insulation, eh?

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Shame about the electric steering. It's pretty good as electric steering goes, but in comparison to the sublime hydraulic steering rack on the old car (and on "stripper" models elsewhere), it's just not right. Hydraulic should be an option for ST and RS models.

 

[YSSMAN]

It might be a poor interior for a $25k car, but on the basic Focus, it's fantastic.

The seats get a big thumbs up from me, as well as the easy-to-use controls on the dash and wheel. The one I borrowed on our trip to Chicago last year was fantastic, and performed surprisingly well in the sudden snow storm that we had to traverse (several inches on the highway for 35 miles).

My only complaint the entire drive was over that damned Powershift automatic. The thing was absolutely dreadful in parking garages, and in stop/go Chicago traffic. The long term reliability of the unit in conditions like that would really worry me, especially when compared to a normal torque converter automatic.

 

[Joey D]

They've fixed the transmission with a huge software change so the awfulness is gone thankfully.

And the interior on the Focus is great considering the price of the car.

 

[niky]

Supposedly the new dry-clutch systems are repairable, and clutch packs are available. I've seen the replacement bill for the old wet-clutch system on the diesel Focus over here and it's... insane.

You could perhaps justify a $20k transmission replacement on a $100k GT-R that does 0-60 in a tire shredding 2.7 seconds.

But $8k to replace a transmission in a $16k car? Hell no.

 

[Joey D]

Try a $10k transmission on a $22,000 MINI Cooper. It's exactly why I'm driving a Focus today

 

[RocZX]

Shelby Focus ST

According to the SVTUSA fan site, the Shelby package adds a stiffer Ford Racing suspension, larger brakes, custom wheels, a Borla exhaust, Shelby interior accouterments, and various exterior tweaks including functional hood vents.

But here's the kicker: the power output remains at the stock level of 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. SVTUSA says Shelby "is currently developing an optional performance tune expected to significantly increase horsepower." But it's not on this thing.

This package also a $15,000 add-on to the normal ST

Jalopnik

 

[homeforsummer]

Prefer that to the normal one.

Still hate the great gaping mouth though. Looks so gormless.

 

[Joey D]

Guys are getting dyno proven horsepower gains with exhaust systems on the ST already. I'm not sure how they manage to put one on that didn't increase the power by at least 10.