2014 Ford Focus ST Long Term Test Wrap-Up

"William Byrd" (thedriver)
02/05/2015 at 10:42 • Filed to: focus st

Right now I'm suffering from a lack of Focus. See what I did there..with the play on…sorry. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has departed our garage. Arriving in April 2014, she proved to be a great !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! test car over the past 9 months. But there is only so much room and it's making way for something new. More on that soon, stay tuned.

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So how was it to live with a "FoST" as the kids are calling it? I commuted through the harsh DC streets through good times and bad. Good included warm temps with the moonroof open and the windows down, the sound of the 2.0 EcoBoost wailing from the centrally mounted dual exhaust. It included killing some cones and filming some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Look Ma, I'm on the TeeVee! Bad included potholes large enough to make SUVs weave around them, winter weather, and just a general malaise that fell over me in stop and go traffic with a manual transmission and tight bucket seats.

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But it was more good than bad. From the beginning we found the ST to be a lot of fun. The fact that it was able to be compared to an E46 M3 and be competitive says a lot for the Ford Motor Company as well as how far cars have progressed over a decade.

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Interior

As we stated during one of the long-term updates, the interior is markedly better than a normal Focus. Someone once told me "Oh I had one of those as a rental car once". No, no you didn't. Yours was the base model, low options, no 6spd or turbocharger. Oh right, back to the interior. It's not a bad place to be, and I'd say that, just in commuting time I spent at least 360 hours in the FoST. The Recaro seats are spectacular, if a bit claustrophobic. I am 6'0, 190'ish and if you are much larger than that, I would consider the option list very carefully before ticking off the ST2 box. The rear seats are generous for such a small car. Someone said something about the Fiesta ST making the FoST redundant the other day, I totally disagree. If you want a more reasonably sized car, get the Focus. I can sit behind my own seating position and still have legroom. I reguarly had 3 kids, one in a large (Recaro) car seat back there in relative comfort. There were no injuries or serious arguments. I would comfortably say that 2 adults could sit back there just fine.

The SYNC system, the topic of much debate and discussion across automotive journalists, was pretty decent. Like a lot of cars, I swear most of the time the microphone couldn't hear me. Or maybe Siri just sucks at understanding me because my texts were incomprehensible at times. It also spun for a bit connecting via bluetooth which is a bit of a #firstworldproblem but in the era we are in, tech needs to work and work quickly. I have been logging some time in the new long-term test vehicle and it works properly. Overall ipod and iphone integration wasn't bad and the large touchscreen displayed everything well. Each quadrant focused on a different task, HVAC, audio, phone, and a compass/message center (or navigation if you choose).

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Exterior

When you get out of your car, do you look back over your shoulder at it? Do you find yourself studying its lines? If not, you chose the wrong car. Same can be said in relationships I suppose. Human ones that is. You need to have a connection, you need to like looking at it. I think that was mostly true with the ST. The angry lines, gaping grill, and round rear make for a nice looking car. It looks special, that's the best way I can describe it. It's not quite as boy-racer as some hatchback models where, particularly with the "special" model, they sometimes go overboard with scoops, vents, spoilers, etc.

I will say that, at 38 years old, I am likely older than the typical ST demographic. A fact that I verified on message boards, Facebook groups, and generally just looking over at other FoST drivers. Not a big deal, but your car says something about your age and general place in society, like it or not.

What would I have changed? Probably the paint color, I feel like silver adds a bit of "dull" to this car unfortunately. The wheels are interesting from a design standpoint, but they are a bitch to clean and this thing racks up a lot of brake dust. I probably would have painted them black to add a bit of drama.

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Driving

Like any performance-oriented model, its not a smooth riding car. The aforementioned potholes made for a winter slalom course through the nations capital so I didn't lose a wheel and/or tire. Add in the "summer only" tires and it was a handful in the snow. Like, don't even consider driving it, handful. I spent 2 hours trying to get into DC during the first snowfall, including several embarrassing attempts to get up very slight inclines along the way. I decided to turn around go home when Waze said I still had an hour to go.

But this is about driving fun, and it has it in spades. As I described !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and on video, it handles ridiculously well. Understeer wasn't nearly as bad as some FWD cars I have owned before. It just sticks and goes where you point it, even inducing some oversteer when you lift off the throttle in the right spot. I didn't find an on/off ramp that it couldn't handle at impressive speeds. The steering is great at speed, and obviously geared for enthusiastic driving. It's so hoon-centric in fact that it will barely allow you to do a u-turn in a space most cars can easily perform one. Almost like it's daring you to use the e-brake to help you around. Seriously, I made more 3-point turns in this car than my last few combined. Regardless of that quibble, if you are looking for a great point and shoot car, this is one of the best. Just leave some extra room to turn around.

Economy? Not really. Whatever the MPG estimates are, I fell very short of them. I'm guessing it was somewhere in the low 20MPG range (similar to the last Mustang GT I had). And the fuel tank is tiny, which sucks for range but makes for a great story at the pump, my last fill up was $25 with the gas light on.

Summary

It's not a perfect car, but for the low to mid $20K range, few are. But I don't know much else on the new car market at this price point that can do what the Focus ST can do. It's quick, fun to drive, has a lot of room inside for people, and hatchback practicality. So do yourself a favor and go look at one, it's worth a test drive. New ones are seeing great discounts, like under $20K. Or just wait for the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which is sure to be even better. Regardless, the current Focus ST is a lot of car for the cash and we'll miss it.

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DISCUSSION (24)

citizennick > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 10:45

is it weird that I used to own a jet black e46 M3 with cinnamon leather and now own a silver FoST?

William Byrd > citizennick
02/05/2015 at 10:48

Quite! That E46 was actually a bit blue though, forget the actual color's name. Loved that cinnamon interior.

What do you think of the Ingot Silver?

Kate's Dirty Sister > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 10:54

Had one for 18 months now, doing almost exclusively city driving, MPG's are pretty bad, 20 flush, sometime even lower, and yes, that stupid tiny fuel tank....

As for the rest, I agree with your review, great car so far, many recalls, many deslership related issues and some minor glitches, but overall it's good.

Ah, that keyless entry system is acting when it's humid outside.

cazzyodo > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 10:55

I will echo pretty much everything you said (MY 2013 on mine). Snow tires make this thing an animal, though. For instance, I was taking backroads to work this morning and they were still snowed in and single lane so I ended up using the handbrake to work some fun powerslide turns in while the front stayed planted.

I'm 6'4" and about 175 so leg room behind me isn't fabulous but I've had 3 adults in the car with me no problem.

MPG lately has been garbage but I regularly get about 22-25mpg (with heavy suburban driving).

On ramps. 'Nuf said.

Next time, I suggest red.

Kinja'd!!!

William Byrd > Kate's Dirty Sister
02/05/2015 at 11:07

Thanks!

It definitely begs to be revved and I enjoyed that bit. Seriously kicks fuel economy in the pants though. Have you ever had that little eco mode bit on the dash active? I did for about 2 blocks and then it started making me feel guilty so I changed it back. haha

Nothing > Kate's Dirty Sister
02/05/2015 at 11:16

Lots of recalls? Must be 2013 related, I haven't had any recalls on my March built 2014.

AnthonyD > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 11:16

I got the Eco Champion trophy once, then I never looked at that screen again. I love my ST. I've been averaging 24ish with a mix of city and highway.

William Byrd > cazzyodo
02/05/2015 at 11:18

Yeah, that's actually part of how I decided to replace it. I got to the point where I was pricing a set of snow/all-season tires and a second set of wheels to mount them on and said "well heck, I could just put this into a down payment".

True, I'm 4" shorter, definitely helps the back seat passengers.

I was a bit let down by the MPG performance. I don't always wind out every gear, so I thought mid 2os would have been manageable.

Red does look good on the FoST. I was looking for black, blue, or silver with silver being 3rd. Oh well, weren't any ST2s with a moonroof around DC (this one got shipped down from Jersey).

AnthonyD > cazzyodo
02/05/2015 at 11:18

I think you meant black.

Kinja'd!!!

Kate's Dirty Sister > Nothing
02/05/2015 at 11:18

Both headlight units (I have the HID) and the wiring harness. That's only 2, but 2 in the first year.

William Byrd > AnthonyD
02/05/2015 at 11:19

I'm not sure if I'm impressed or appalled. lol

24 is pretty solid, I would say I didn't see much more than 22.

Nothing > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 11:22

I've got the young demographic beat. I'm 43. Still have a lot of fun with the car. I can't wait until spring when I can get the winters off and properly thrash the car up in the foothills.

I rarely see other STs in my area, it's all WRXs and Evos.

Funny thing about the ride, it hasn't bothered me. Then again, I get out of my other car, which is much harsher, and the ST feels nearly luxurious. I gave my coworker a ride home from the airport a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned the "harsh" ride.

Kate's Dirty Sister > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 11:32

The ECO thing is all grey ! Apparently, I suck at eco driving.

Kate's Dirty Sister > cazzyodo
02/05/2015 at 11:33

I approve red., but I'm a little biased.

cazzyodo > AnthonyD
02/05/2015 at 12:00

Nope! Didn't do it for me when I was looking. :P

cazzyodo > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 12:01

I've been disappointed by the mpg as well...I would have just gone with the used WRX I had lined up otherwise haha.

citizennick > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 12:02

Ahhh carbon black. I don't mind the silver, wish there were better color options. Not that it matters since the quality of Ford paint is nothing to be desired.

William Byrd > Nothing
02/05/2015 at 12:09

Nice, I figured there were some older ST owners out there. There are a lot of STs around DC, most owners are firmly in their early 20s I would say.

Yeah, I had a 03 Mustang GT convertible that made the ST feel pretty luxurious. Oddly enough the former owner (CounterTorqueSteer on Oppo) bought a FoST.

Good luck when it warms up!

Street Surgeon > William Byrd
02/05/2015 at 15:03

Hey00000000000000,

35 year old FoST owner here and so far it's been alright :)

AnthonyD > cazzyodo
02/06/2015 at 09:50

Haha, it is a pain to keep looking even remotely clean during the winter...as you can see.

DougNuts > William Byrd
03/06/2015 at 14:00

Add in the "summer only" tires and it was a handful in the snow. Like, don't even consider driving it, handful.

With all due respect, you'd think that by age 38, you would have learned that. ;-)

William Byrd > DougNuts
03/06/2015 at 14:44

Touche, that's fair. haha

However, I managed to not kill myself in the snow driving a V8 Mustang with performance tires. I figured it would at least do better than that.

DougNuts > William Byrd
03/06/2015 at 14:55

I'm with you. I tried to drive a Mustang GT on Nitto Drag radials in the snow one time, but I was younger and dumber. :-)

William Byrd > DougNuts
03/06/2015 at 14:56

Damn near suicidal. I love it.