Skip advert
Advertisement

New Ford Focus ST Estate 2019 review

The new Ford Focus ST Estate offers all the thrills of the standard hot hatch, but in a more practical package

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Ford Focus
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

It's the combination of equipment, performance and usability that makes this Ford Focus ST Estate a solid, practical, and (relatively) affordable performance car. It also shows there’s life in this format and that not everyone needs a hot SUV if your criteria include speed and practicality. It could be purer still, but the ability here means there’s little compromise over the standard ST hatch.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Affordable, practical performance cars are being squeezed by hot SUVs. For many, if you want usability in a fast package, then a higher-riding crossover is the on-trend vehicle at the moment. 

But what if you don’t want to sacrifice the driving experience that these raised up off-roader based vehicles inevitably compromise? Your options are limited when it comes to versatile and fast compact estate cars, but thankfully, there’s a new choice: the Ford Focus ST Estate.

New Ford Focus ST review

It combines all of the chassis and engine know-how from Ford’s latest hot hatch in a more practical body style, and while that adds another £1,100 to the Focus ST’s already lofty £31,995 price tag, it’s not all that much to pay for such a boost in usability.

The Estate gets a bigger 608-litre boot, rising to 1,653 litres with the rear seats folded. As the standard ST only offers 375 and 1,354 litres respectively, it’s a useful uplift in luggage space that doesn’t compromise the car’s driving dynamics.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The wagon’s wheelbase is the same and it only weighs an extra 35kg, which you’ll never notice on the move. The 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo engine’s 276bhp and 420Nm of torque helps hurl the ST from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds – just one tenth slower than the hatchback – while the 155mph top speed is the same. Ford even claims the same efficiency of 35.8mpg and 179g/km CO2 for both cars.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The small weight gain means it basically behaves identically on the road, which means there is masses of grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, wrapped around the ST’s 19-inch alloy wheels.

The fast steering is backed up by big bite from the chassis. Standard adaptive dampers also help here, and although the quality of the Ford’s suspension feels as good as some sports cars costing three times as much, it’s still firm – and over bad roads you’ll get jiggled around gently in your seat.

Sport further heightens this sensation, but also ties the ST’s body down with more aggression, so there’s less roll, more control and, ultimately, even greater cornering potential.

The trick is that it’s integrated nicely with the electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, which works brilliantly to find traction and boost the car’s agility. There’s lots of the latter, which means the ST serves up lots of easily accessible cross-country pace.

Quality is fine, and the standard kit list is generous. You get an eight-inch screen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, parking sensors and a reversing camera, as well as that e-LSD, adaptive cruise with lane keep and autonomous braking, some brilliant part-leather Recaro sports seats, a B&O stereo, heated seats and steering wheel, keyless operation and adaptive LED lights.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Our latest car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,710Avg. savings £2,338 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £27,565Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £29,735Avg. savings £5,267 off RRP*Compare Offers
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,485 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships
Opinion - Jaguar

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships

Mike Rutherford thinks it's been a difficult few months for the British car industry
Opinion
8 Dec 2024
Skoda Elroq review
Skoda Elroq - front

Skoda Elroq review

The Skoda Elroq is even more appealing than the bigger Skoda Enyaq, and just as brilliant
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price
Ford Capri - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price

Ford’s Capri has been revived, this time as a family-friendly coupe-SUV. It’s our Deal of the Day for 8 December
News
8 Dec 2024