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All the performance, agility and value of the hatchback, wrapped up in a more practical estate package.
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What is it?
This is the new sporty Focus's more practical sibling, identical to the five-door ST hatchback in all the mechanical respects that matter– such as wheelbase, suspension settings, engine power and torque – but a little porkier at the kerb (by 25 kilograms), a little pricier to buy (by a remarkably reasonable £745) but just as quick against the watch and in top speed as the hatch. Its big claim to fame is a large and uncluttered carrying space of up to 1500 litres capacity, suitable for dogs and large furniture items that just aren't comfortable in a hatchback.
What is it like?
The measure of a great car, we always reckon, is when it shows impressive properties in exactly the opposite direction to the expected ones. The Focus ST estate is a great example. Sure, it's virtually as fast and agile as the saloon (you'd need to go head-to-head on a circuit to tell the difference), and expectedly capacious, but it's also remarkably supple-riding, comfortable and refined. This is one sporty car that has no drawbacks at all in long distance capability or day-to-day practicality, with the enormous bonus of being able to swallow as much luggage as you could possibly want to take on holiday.
Read More: autocar.co.uk/car-review/ford/focus-st/first-drives/ford-focus-st-3-estate
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What is it?
This is the new sporty Focus's more practical sibling, identical to the five-door ST hatchback in all the mechanical respects that matter– such as wheelbase, suspension settings, engine power and torque – but a little porkier at the kerb (by 25 kilograms), a little pricier to buy (by a remarkably reasonable £745) but just as quick against the watch and in top speed as the hatch. Its big claim to fame is a large and uncluttered carrying space of up to 1500 litres capacity, suitable for dogs and large furniture items that just aren't comfortable in a hatchback.
What is it like?
The measure of a great car, we always reckon, is when it shows impressive properties in exactly the opposite direction to the expected ones. The Focus ST estate is a great example. Sure, it's virtually as fast and agile as the saloon (you'd need to go head-to-head on a circuit to tell the difference), and expectedly capacious, but it's also remarkably supple-riding, comfortable and refined. This is one sporty car that has no drawbacks at all in long distance capability or day-to-day practicality, with the enormous bonus of being able to swallow as much luggage as you could possibly want to take on holiday.
Read More: autocar.co.uk/car-review/ford/focus-st/first-drives/ford-focus-st-3-estate
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