The Focus ST has steadily improved since its launch, and the latest model has a neater design, with slimmer front and rear lights and a more chiselled front grille. It has been brought up-to-date inside too, with a large touch-screen infotainment system replacing the glut of buttons on the dashboard.

It’s now better suited to more customers too, with the option of diesel as well as petrol power, along with a dual-clutch ‘Powershift’ automatic.

Performance

With the Focus Estate very unlikely to spawn an RS performance model, the ST version sits at the top of the performance line-up. It’s still available in its original guise, with a 2.0-litre petrol, but a 2.0-litre turbo diesel has also joined the fray. With 247bhp, the petrol still holds a clear performance advantage, accelerating from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, 0.2 behind the five-door ST hatchback, and hitting a top speed of 154mph. Being a four-cylinder turbo, you might not expect it to sound as good as the old ST, but some clever trickery means it does emit a rather fruity note in the cabin.

The diesel takes a power hit, with 182bhp, but its 400Nm of torque is actually 40Nm more than the petrol model. The zero to 62mph sprint takes 8.3 seconds, while the top speed is quite a bit slower at 135mph. But, that’s not to say the diesel doesn’t feel punchy on the road, with plenty of power out of corners and for overtaking. A pleasant six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but a dual-clutch automatic is also available with the diesel engine.

Ride and Handling

The ST is the sportiest car in its class to drive

We tested the diesel ST, but unlike a lot of slightly neutered diesel models, here the suspension settings are essentially carried over from the petrol ST. This means the ride is definitely on the firm side, so anyone who expects the ST to feel similar to the comfortable Golf GTD may be in for a surprise.  Bumps are certainly felt, although the car keeps its composure, and this stiffer suspension means the ST is the sportiest car in its class to drive. The steering has plenty of feel – but can wriggle in your hands under power – and you can sense all four wheels digging into the tarmac through tight corners. It all makes for an exciting drive, and you’ll need to make sure you have items in that big boot well secured, as you can soon find yourself attacking corners like Ari Vatanen.

Interior and Equipment

When fitted with a Powershift automatic gearbox, the Focus ST is the fastest diesel model in Ford’s history.

The facelifted Focus has a much improved dashboard, because the glut of buttons and tiny information screen have been replaced with a large touch-screen infotainment system. It’s still not quite perfect, as some of the menus can be confusing, but it’s a huge step on from the old system. Heavily bolstered Recaro front sports seats remain in place, and so will you, as they don’t half hug your torso during cornering. The driving position is very good and plenty of adjustment should make it possible for anyone to get comfortable. There’s enough room for two adults in the back seats, while the 476-litre boot expands to 1,502 litres with the rear seats folded down. It should be plenty big enough for most families, but the Octavia vRS is more practical if you need a huge boot.

Cost

Unsurprisingly, the 2.0-litre diesel is the one to go for if you plan to cover lots of motorway miles

The Focus ST Estate is something of a performance bargain, with both the diesel and petrol starting from under £24k, significantly undercutting the Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate, which is over £28k. Unsurprisingly, the 2.0-litre diesel is the one to go for if you plan to cover lots of motorway miles, because its 67.3mpg fuel economy means you’ll be filling up less often. The petrol version manages 41.5mpg, making it quite thirsty, while its 159g/km of CO2 emissions also places it in a more expensive tax bracket than the 110g/km diesel.

Our Verdict

You certainly get a lot of bang for your buck with any Focus ST, and with the Estate you can also take considerably more luggage along with you. It could be the ideal choice if you want a practical car, which can also make you smile when you get to a good road.