Used Ford Focus ST for sale: everything you need to know

We’re now on the fourth generation of the Ford Focus ST, and the latest car could be the most complete model yet. It’s great to drive, with a real focus (no pun intended) on fun, but still just as usable day to day as a regular Ford Focus - which of course is why people buy hot hatchbacks in the first place.

Ford offered petrol and diesel engines and hatch and estate body styles on the ST, which gives used buyers plenty of choice. This latest generation ST always seemed a bit pricey when new, but that’s something you can get around by finding a deal on a used model.

There are plenty of other hot hatchbacks out there if you’re not quite sold on a Focus ST, including the evergreen Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Honda Civic Type-R, Hyundai i30N, Renault Sport Megane, Skoda Octavia vRS, and several more.

Should you buy a Ford Focus ST?

If maximum fun is your goal, then hot hatchbacks don’t come much better than the Focus ST. Like the smaller Fiesta ST, the Focus isn’t the last word in sophistication, but Ford’s engineers clearly know how to tune a car that really gets you stuck into the action.

It does this with quick steering responses and pretty good feedback by modern car standards, an agile chassis that’s happy to indulge in a quick lift of the throttle to tuck the nose into a corner, and a punchy engine that, in petrol versions, uses a limited-slip differential to help pull you out of turns.

The petrol sounds pretty good too, with a few pops and crackles from the exhaust which enhances the experience on a country road but stops short of the full “annoying everyone in the centre of town” fusillade. If you can find one, the whole car is at its best with the Track Pack, which gets lighter wheels, stickier tyres and manually adjustable suspension.

Recaro seats give the cabin a lift and put you in the perfect driving position. There’s good space for passengers too, though the Focus does lose out on boot volume to some of its hot hatch rivals. Still, since the Focus ST was available as an Estate, you can get more practicality that way - and more economy too if you buy the diesel, which disappeared in 2022.

The Focus ST’s rivals are what you might call the “usual suspects”: the staggeringly good Honda Civic Type-R, the similarly playful and amusing Hyundai i30N, the practical Skoda Octavia vRS (also available in diesel and estate forms), and of course, the more sensible but much classier Volkswagen Golf GTI (and GTD diesel).

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What’s the best used Ford Focus ST model to buy?

Most people will probably gravitate towards the petrol engine, as it best suits the character of a hot hatch like the Focus ST, and also the manual gearbox for its extra interactivity and more intense character. Some drivers will of course prefer the auto or want the extra economy of the diesel (without losing the ST’s styling or handling - though the diesel does lack a limited slip differential), while others will want to seek out the more hardcore Track Pack (or the 300-unit ST Edition, which featured the Track Pack as standard).

Used Ford Focus ST fuel economy and performance

• Ford Focus ST 2.3 Ecoboost: With a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Focus ST sends 280PS to its front wheels, through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. The manual reaches 62mph in 5.7 seconds (5.8 in Estate form) with the auto a tenth slower, while economy is 34.4mpg for both.
• Ford Focus ST 2.0 Ecoblue: The 2-litre, four-cylinder diesel makes less power than the petrol at 190PS, but nearly as much torque. 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds with the standard manual gearbox, but economy beats the petrol at 50.4mpg combined.

What used Ford Focus ST trim levels are available?

The ST comes in two trim levels, though the ST Edition is effectively a limited-run model (at 300 units) fitted with the Track Pack already offered on the ST. Ford also offers several other options and option packs, so some STs may be better equipped than others.

• The Ford Focus ST gets 19-inch alloy wheels, ST body styling, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive dampers (standard on the petrol hatch, optional on the diesel, not available on the estate), an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (petrol only), 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, adaptive cruise control, part-leather Recaro heated seats, heated steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
• The Ford Focus ST Edition features the same basic equipment as the ST but comes with the Track Pack previously offered as an option, which includes adjustable KW Automotive suspension, larger 363mm Brembo brakes, lighter 19-inch wheels, Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres, and the standard fitment of the winter and driving assistance packs.

Used Ford Focus ST dimensions and boot size

The Ford Focus ST’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4388mm (4668mm Estate)
• Width: 1825mm (without mirrors), 1979mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1458mm (1492mm Estate)

The Ford Focus ST’s boot size is:

• 301 litres (575 litres Estate)
• 1280 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof, 1620 litres Estate)

Used Ford Focus ST road tax

Hefty new pricing means that some Focus ST models just nudge above the £40,000 mark which attracts a VED surcharge. These models will cost you £570 per year to tax from the second to sixth years of registration, while everything else will be a more reasonable £180 per year.

How much is it to insure a Ford Focus ST?

The less powerful diesel models are the most affordable STs to insure, starting in insurance group 23. This rises to group 34 for the petrol, a figure that doesn’t change for the ST Edition. This is more affordable than the group 43 of a Honda Civic Type-R, but a little more than the group 28 of a Golf GTI.

Read our full Ford Focus ST review