Ford Focus ST-Line petrol, road test of the almost perfect compact

Name: Ford Focus 2019
Brand: Focus

Yago González Mato 16 August 2019 11 min.

Ford Focus ST-Line petrol, road test of the almost perfect compact

The new Ford Focus ST Line arrives with a bang. Its design, the quality of its finishes and interior, but above all what it conveys when driving, make it an outstanding model.

The Ford Focus has always been one of those models that has managed to position itself very successfully on the market and that, in general, has left impeccable impressions among the customers who have bought one.

The new Ford Focus comes loaded with novelties. Technology, software, driving aids… But above all, a new platform that marks a clear break from the previous generation, with a far more cosmopolitan, modern body, suited to the times we live in, gives the model an enviable look and a design that lends it a unique and distinctive personality.

We have tested a very interesting version: the Ford Focus ST Line petrol with the new 125 CV engine and the 8-speed automatic gearbox. Below we tell you everything about it.

Aggressive yet irresistible

The new look of this Focus generation comes with major design changes to its bodywork. Once again Ford takes a step forward, venturing into “restless waters”, taking risks to offer something different. And honestly, I can only congratulate them: I think they have achieved exactly what they were looking for.

It has a length of 4.3 metres, a width of 1.8 metres and a height of 1.4 metres. These are very well-judged dimensions that enhance its versatility and make it a good ally for getting around the city, parking without problems and moving around with complete ease. On the other hand, it weighs 1,371 kilos.

In our case, we had the ST Line trim. For this road test of the Ford Focus ST Line petrol, in addition to fitting wheels that suit it especially well, the trim complements the bodywork with a much more aggressive, more sporty design, which makes you want to “devour it as soon as you see it”.

One of the main features of the bodywork in the ST Line trim that convinced us most is the front of the model, where the angles across the bonnet, combined with slim, attractive LED headlights, lead to a large, imposing grille that reminds us at all times that we have a Ford, a car that above all preserves the spirit of the brand.

Other features of the exterior of the ST Line trim include the more sporty side skirts, redesigned bumpers, absolutely beautiful 17″ wheels, tinted rear privacy glass, an optional spoiler and, of course, a bodywork set slightly lower to sit closer to the ground and provide more dynamism when driving.

In short, the exterior of this new Focus generation is a step forward, a step into the future, where the lines of the model have been renewed to convey a modern feel, maintain the appeal and essence of the brand and, of course, give the Focus a sporty and distinctive personality.

A complete and technological interior

In this test unit of the Ford Focus ST Line petrol you feel comfortable and spacious inside. It enjoys good finishes and incorporates all kinds of driving assistants; combined with instrumentation that sits somewhere between classic and digital, the result is outstanding.

One of the best features to highlight is undoubtedly the steering wheel, which in our case is the one included with the ST-Line trim. It has electric power steering with progressive firming based on speed, as well as a leather covering and some excellent paddle shifters that accompany the movement.

The driving position is comfortable and gives outstanding feedback on journeys; however, a protrusion in the design at the ends of the centre console, at knee height, could bother taller people somewhat.

The instrumentation is a blend of the classic style we have always known and the more current digital style. The combination is perfect, especially when it comes to real-time information.

Low tyre pressure indicator with a wheel-mounted sensor, trip computer showing average speed, average consumption, instantaneous consumption, range, or the outside temperature gauge are some of the features we find in the digital part of the instrumentation, all controlled through the buttons on the steering wheel.

The dashboard uses quality materials, feels solid and without weak points, keeping the brand’s classic lines all the way to the Centre Console.

At this point the star of the show is its outstanding 8″ touchscreen, combined with perfectly up-to-date software. But most importantly, it is responsive, with almost instant reaction, which is appreciated while you are driving.

The seats of the Ford Focus ST Line petrol in this test are especially comfortable. Front centre armrest, the driver’s seat fully sporty and adjustable, and a fabric finish make them a major selling point that adds quality and gives the feeling of being in a car from a higher price bracket.

Interior space passes without problems. Thanks to its 5 doors, access to the rear seats is easy, and legroom, even for tall people, is outstanding. That said, headroom could have been tuned a little more, since if you are especially large you may feel somewhat “trapped”.

The boot is well equipped, being spacious, with a total capacity of 1,354 litres with the seats folded down. In its normal configuration it offers 375 litres. It is not among the best in its class; it is close to the average. But it is more than enough space not to become a problem on long journeys.

As for its technology, and although I am not a staunch fan of driving-assistance systems, this new Focus obviously comes with everything “there is and then some”.

Collision warning system with braking assistance, central locking with intelligent key entry, integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, E-Call or AUX connections, Bluetooth and steering-wheel remote audio control are some of the technological features we will find in the new Focus.

Setting aside the couple of criticisms we mentioned earlier, what becomes clear is that the new Ford Focus has not only exterior beauty, since it has a solid interior that balances the overall product with barely any flaws.

Dynamic driving with acceptable consumption

One of the most notable aspects after testing the Ford Focus ST Line petrol is undoubtedly its excellent transmission of feeling on the road. Thanks to an extremely well-developed chassis, cornering, stability and the remarkable comfort of its suspension make journeys in this model a particularly pleasant experience.

The dynamic response of the new Focus is surprising. We had the 125 CV 1.0 EcoBoost version, and despite this “modest” power, the car gives you the sense that it has a lot of hidden potential, and that it is capable of handling quick, fast and risky manoeuvres with total ease. Moreover, if we add the very well-tuned suspension, safety is multiplied, especially when cornering. Even when we push it harder than we should, the car does not roll excessively, and it does not fall apart either. It is very easy to drive, and it forgives everything.

You could say it is a car that “lets itself be driven”, which indeed will be comfortable and easy for the customer who wants to get around without fuss, but it will also win over those who want to have fun “putting their foot down“.

In our case, the Focus came with an 8-speed automatic gearbox which, combined with the paddles behind the steering wheel, multiplies the good initial impressions even further. Perhaps we miss the dual-clutch, but despite this, the semi-automatic shifts from the paddles are quick, comfortable and intuitive.

For this occasion, the engine of the car in this test of the Ford Focus ST Line petrol performs perfectly, and at times, especially at high revs, it feels like it has more power than its figures suggest, all combined with a sound which, although not its main strong point, lets you know at all times how the engine is responding.

It has 170 Nm of torque, which is available from low revs and across a very broad range. More than enough to give us that extra push when we need it, and to offer a better sense of acceleration, of course.

But let’s talk about consumption, and this is where perhaps we should be more realistic when buying a car rather than letting ourselves be guided by the official figures.

The homologated consumption figures suggest an average of 5.7 litres per 100 km. The reality is that its real-world average consumption would not top the list of the cars that use the least petrol. But in the end we are talking about a car with a bit of spice, capable of performing almost like a sports car. And the gap between homologated and real consumption is something that always happens with low-displacement turbocharged petrol engines.

In the end, the real average consumption will be closer to 7–7.5 l/100 km, which is not bad at all, it must be said. And if we make a lot of urban journeys, it will go up.

Video of the Ford Focus ST Line during a on-board route:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_DQFWn8byc

Despite a consumption that does not rival the best in its category, its dynamic feel, comfort and all the virtues we have mentioned that make its journeys enjoyable more than make up for this small shortcoming.

An extremely competitive price

We have now reached one of the key points: the price of the new Ford Focus. You will probably be tempted to imagine owning one, but you may think it is out of budget. Think again, because you might be surprised…

If you want to get a car like the one seen in this road test of the Ford Focus ST Line petrol, automatic, 125 CV, with this trim’s standard equipment and no extras, it could be yours thanks to the discounts and promotions offered by the brand for just 19,166 euros!. Or at least that is what the brand’s online configurator says.

Taking into account the great work of Ford with this new generation, laying the foundations for a promising future through this new bet, this price is a real bargain for anyone who wants to buy a compact that is safe, technological, good-looking and fun, very fun.

The new Focus’s direct rivals are also heavyweights, especially in terms of sales, such as the Seat León, the Volkswagen Golf, or the Renault Mégane, among others. Although they compete against such giants, you can be sure that if you buy a Ford Focus you will not miss the competition, and you will have a vehicle with a renewed, modern and distinctive look that will also put a smile on your face on more than one bend.