The Focus ST gets Ford’s latest Sync4 13.2in touchscreen infotainment system as standard (wireless smartphone mirroring and charging included), as well as premium audio by Bang & Olufsen, adaptive LED headlights and a torque-vectoring e-differential at the front.
The major addition to the cabin otherwise is a pair of new front sports seats, which have been accredited by Germany’s Campaign for Healthier Backs.
They have 14-way power adjustment and four-way-adjustable lumbar support and are alleged to provide an ideal driving position for a variety of builds.
The Focus’s driving position has good lower back support and plenty of effective lateral bolstering, but it lacks enough under-thigh support for really comfortable longer journeys (you can adjust the seat base for height but not inclination angle), and due to the integrated headrest design, it isn’t ideally comfortable for the upper back and shoulders either.
The boot is a practical size, measuring 375 litres for the hatchback and 575 litres for the estate.
There was a risk that the ST Edition would be a bit too hardcore to maintain its strength as a family car, but its mechanical changes do little to take away the all-around practicality on offer. With a volume of 375 litres, the boot has more than enough room for a family holiday, shopping, or, as Ford claims to intend, a trip to Nurburgring.