Model tested: Ford Focus ST-3
Price: £20,745
Tested: June 2006
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall Rating - 83%
Ford knows a thing or two about building performance cars, but does a plain-looking hatchback with a Volvo engine make the grade?

1. Looks
Tick the Electric Orange box and you'll get retina-destroying orange paintwork that can be seen from space. But orange suits this lairy car, with its huge 18-inch alloys and its vents, scoops and two bazooka-like exhaust pipes at the back.
9/10

2. Looks inside
At first glance the interior is identical to a basic Focus, but there are plenty of bits to keep performance junkies happy. A trio of gauges sit atop the dash, while silver bits emblazoned with 'ST' are dotted around. The leather Recaro seats were some of the comfiest I've sat in.
8/10

3. Practicality
There's plenty of space for your gear in the Focus; it's primarily a practical family hatchback. The boot floor isn't as deep as we'd expect, but with the seats up there's still more space than a Golf or Astra would offer.
7/10

4. Ride and Handling
The ride is firm but supple with the only detractions being over-light steering at speed and a tendency for the back to go light on bumpy roads under heavy braking – although the stability control keeps wiggling to a minimum.
8/10

5. Performance
A 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds doesn't sound that quick, but in-gear overtaking potential is phenomenal. Floor the throttle and the 225bhp, 2.5-litre takes the Focus to a 152mph top speed.
10/10

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6. Running Costs
Ford says the ST will manage 20.5mpg around town, 41.5 on a motorway run, which equates to 30.4 overall; we were clocking 10 less than this. Insurance is group 17.
7/10

7. Reliability
The ST runs on proven mechanicals and the Focus has traditionally scored well in the Reliability Index; it certainly feels well built.
8/10

8. Safety
The Focus has a five-star EuroNCAP rating. Our test car had driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, with an optional deactivation switch for the passenger 'bag.
9/10

9. Equipment
The top-of-the-range ST3 comes with a heated front screen, electric windows and mirrors. Our test car had the £500 keyless go 'KeyFree System'.
8/10

10. X-Factor
The Focus ST is one of the best hot hatches around at the moment. The Golf GTi is a little dull, while the Astra VXR is too rough round the edges. It looks sensational - particularly in orange and offers more performance than any sub-£20,000 car has the right to.
9/10