Ford Focus ST-3

Fast and fun Ford continues its reign at the top thanks to its blend of strong performance, engaging handling and everyday versatility. It’s not as upmarket as the Golf, with weak residuals, but the ST-3 comes with stacks of standard kit. Better still, it starts at only £21,995 for the base ST.

If the Volkswagen Golf GTI wants its hot hatch title back, then this is the car it must beat: the Focus ST. As with all the best fast Fords, our current class champ blends blistering performance and agile handling with family-friendly practicality and a credit crunch-busting price tag.

Another trait the Focus shares with its illustrious predecessors is its ability to attract attention. Unlike the restrained Golf, the five-door-only Ford makes no effort to disguise its performance potential. With its gaping trapezoidal grille, deeper front bumper, 18-inch alloys and large tailgate spoiler, the ST looks every inch a hot hatch hero.

The theme continues inside, where you’ll find numerous fast Ford styling cues. Highlights include a pair of highly supportive Recaro sports seats, a trio of extra dials mounted in a dash-top pod and a metal-effect finish for the pedals. And while the ST gets the same fussy dash layout as the standard car, there are no complaints about the excellent driving position and robust quality. There’s also a lengthy kit list, which includes climate control, leather trim and heated seats.

As with less racy versions of the Ford, the ST gets a roomy cabin that provides decent rear head and legroom, plus plenty of useful storage space. However, it’s not quite as roomy as the VW, and the cramped 316-litre boot is a significant 64 litres smaller than the GTI’s. On the plus side, there’s a 60:40 split/fold rear bench, while buyers looking for more practicality can opt for the spacious ST estate.

No matter which bodystyle you choose, the Ford serves up scorching straight-line pace. The 247bhp 2.0-litre turbo and precise manual box allow it to cover the 0-60mph sprint in only 6.3 seconds. However, it was during our in-gear tests that the Focus was really able to stretch its legs, as it did 50-70mph in sixth in 6.4 seconds – one-tenth faster than the Renault.

On the road, this mid-range muscle translates into effortless overtaking pace, allowing you to blast past slower traffic with minimum fuss. Equally impressive is the engine note, which uses a sound symposerto mimic the throaty growl of its five-cylinder predecessor.

On twisting back roads, the Focus continues Ford’s tradition for fine-handling cars. The steering feels even sharper than the Golf’s, and clever torque vectoring kit gives huge front-end grip. Better still, the beautifully balanced ST’s line through a corner can be finely adjusted by lifting off the throttle.

The trade-off for this agility is a firm ride, but it’s no worse than either rival’s. And while the Ford isn’t quite as composed as the Golf, it’s still an effortless long-distance cruiser.

Ultimately, the secret of any fast Ford’s success is its value for money – and the ST doesn’t disappoint. Entry-level versions cost only £21,995, while our top-spec ST-3 is £25,495 – a £1,005 saving over the less well equipped manual VW. Even if you consider its higher emissions and weaker residuals, the Ford stands a strong chance of another test victory.