2018 Ford Focus ST

The Blue Oval makes some great cars for the US market, and the Ford Focus ST has been one of the most fun hot hatchbacks for some time now. With 252 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged mill, the front-wheel-drive Focus ST once again does battle with the German benchmark and class-leader - the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Ford has a wonderful, possibly better chassis, but what you get in handling you usually give back in ride comfort. The ST also has another competitor, from within its own stable: the all-wheel-drive Focus RS. So is the ST as brilliant as the GTI? Has the RS made the ST obsolete? Let's see.

The 2018 Ford Focus ST is priced at $25,170 exclusive of taxes and Ford's $875 destination charge. Available as one trim, buyers can add various packages to their ST's to increase the features equipped. The first is the ST2 package, and the second is the ST3. Each package adds various infotainment, aesthetic and luxury items to the base car. The fully loaded model features the ST3 package and optional wheels and tires. All in, this top-tier spec will set you back a total of $32,845 including destination charge. Incentives vary from dealer to dealer and sometimes are dependant on time of year, so it's worth shopping around at various dealers before pulling the trigger.

On to the Focus ST's party trick - its chassis. This car eats up corners and responds beautifully to throttle inputs. Lift off the loud pedal? You've got oversteer. Whoops, too much oversteer? Smooth throttle input through the electronic LSD will balance the car again. This is a car that encourages full attack into corners, but only if you know what you're doing and what to expect from a well-sorted chassis - sudden changes in throttle input without an experienced driver behind the wheel will catch unsuspecting Ken Block fans out in a bad way. If you've got some experience and commitment, though, this is a far more engaging car than what Germany can offer you in this segment. It encourages fun and rewards skill, while still being entertaining for the novice who does not push their luck too much. The steering is sharp and intuitive, and the brakes, although a tad soft, are easy to judge and don't fade after a few intense stops. This, like the rest of the handling experience, encourages more spirited driving, rather than scaring you into taking it easy; the Focus ST feels like a bigger Fiesta rather than a mid-size hatchback.

With outstanding agility and driving dynamics, the ST is every bit the drivers' car that you'd want it to be - especially if your wife said no to that sports car because it's impractical. Turn-in is sharp, the chassis is dynamic, and the brakes are capable. Despite the firmer suspension that accompanies a sportier model like the ST, this is a comfortable car in many ways and can be lived with every day, particularly considering its versatile trunk.

However, if you regularly ferry tall friends in the back, the legroom can be a problem, and if you yourself are a fan of triple chocolate sundaes and double-fried corn dogs, the front seats may feel more imprisoning than invigorating. The base infotainment system is also a little behind the times and absolutely needs upgrading. Essentially, the Focus overall is a great driver's car, if a little old now, and the ST highlights its best points.

A well-equipped vehicle as standard, the Focus ST is only missing a few creature comforts and technological improvements to be a great all-rounder. The ST3 package fixes this issue, adding features that improve the ST's usability. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included with this package, as are heated leather seats - both items that you will rue not having when you need them, although the navigation system is probably the most important feature added here.

The Golf GTI is still the class president and with a far more luxurious and modern interior, as well as quicker acceleration and better fuel economy. Accompany this with an optional and excellent dual-clutch DSG transmission, as well as a number of trim levels to satisfy almost any buyer, and it's not hard to see why the GTI is loved the world over. It is the perfect blend of performance and real-world usability and is, therefore, mildly compromised to appeal to everyone. This is where the Ford comes in. The ST caters directly to the keen driver without sacrificing too much. It is by far the more entertaining car when it comes to eating up the corners and instead of protecting you with too much electronic wizardry, it lets experienced drivers hang loose. This won't suit everyone, but take it for a drive. It may just be the car you never knew you wanted.

An excellent performance hatch to start with, Ford's engineers have created fun from what would otherwise have been a boring commuter car. The key was a brilliant chassis from the beginning, and with that in place, there was always room for more power. Enter the RS. Featuring a bigger, more powerful engine - a detuned version of which can be found in EcoBoost Mustangs - and all-wheel-drive, the Focus turns from a quick and playful hot hatch into an all-weather weapon with drift mode. The RS is a mega-hatch. The downside to this is a hefty price tag and worse fuel economy. As a daily driver, it doesn't really work because it's noisier and less supple on the road. It is, therefore, a halo car that most enthusiasts will save for weekend canyon attacks. The ST is far more usable day-to-day, and provides just as much fun, at lower speeds (and cost). The ST wins this one.