Ford offers three different hot hatchback models, the Focus RS, Focus ST, and the Fiesta ST, each with their own personality and feature set. You might be wondering, “Which one of these sporty cars is right for me?” Here are some features to consider when making your decision. No matter which one you choose, you’ll be getting a fun-to-drive, high-performance car with tried and tested Ford quality.
Power
The most immediate difference between these three hatchbacks is power. Each has a turbocharged EcoBoost engine. The Fiesta ST includes a 1.6-liter engine that produces 197 horsepower. In a car with a curb weight of 2,742 with a manual transmission, this is more than enough to make you sit up and take notice. Next in line is the Focus ST, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged the makes 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful of the three is the Focus RS, which pulls 350 horsepower from an EcoBoost 2.3-liter engine
Performance
On the Fiesta ST, you’ll find the Ford AdvanceTrac system, which applies the brakes and adjusts torque at the slightest wheel slip. The suspension has also been tuned to increase control at higher speeds with a specially designed steering knuckle. The Focus ST adds Control Blade independent rear suspension with a stabilizer bar to minimize roll and keep the car hugging the road. If you are looking for the performance of all-wheel drive, the Focus RS delivers. Ford’s Performance All-Wheel-Drive System responds automatically to driving conditions but is also manually adjustable with multiple modes, including the tire shredding drift mode.
Interior Space
You have to admit it, driving a hatch isn’t just about speeding along sinuous two-lane roads hugging the ocean. As a daily driver, you’ll want to take interior space into consideration. All three models have seating for five and a 60/40 split rear seat for additional cargo capacity should the situation arise. In both Focus models, you’ll get 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up. Flipping down the back seats adds an extra 21 cubic feet. With the smaller Fiesta, you get 10 cubic feet with the seats up and 23 with them folded down.
Style and Seating
All three of these cars feature aggressive styling, trailing spoilers, and a wide stance indicative of their sports car personalities. Interior details are what set the three models apart. On the Fiesta, the standard seats are a 6-way manual driver’s seat and 4-way manual passenger seat, both trimmed in cloth with ST badging. Heated RECARO partial leather-trimmed seats are an optional upgrade. The Focus ST gets the manual adjusting cloths seats with the partial leather trimmed seat upgrade but also has an option for a full leather RECARO seat. Only the Focus RS comes standard with full leather RECARO seats with heaters.
You can’t go wrong with any of these hatchback models. Will you go for the super-powered Focus RS or the fit anywhere Fiesta ST, or will choose the Focus ST and split the difference? It is a tough decision.
Image via Flickr by Kai Lehmann, used under CC BY 2.0
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