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The Ford Focus ST can be yours for $23,700, plus a $795 destination charge.
Out the door, the ST will run $24,495 without any options. Two option packages will be available, although specifics haven’t been announced. One will cost $2,505 while the other will retail for $4,840. The packages will presumably include some form of MyFord Touch system, while individual options include a moonroof and a navigation system. So far, there’s nothing to go beyond aside from the leaked spec sheet above, but pricing seems competitive with cars like the Volkswagen GTI and Mini Cooper S.
60 Comments on “Ford Focus ST Priced At $23,700...”
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I’m glad there is a cheap entry model ST, or we’d never hear the end of it.
wrong wheel drive.
Ford will kindly sell you a Mustang for the same price. This is a different type of car.
And it will likely be much quicker on both tracks and in the real world than many right wheeled drive cars.
Dont be such a puritan.
I am very curious to see how it would perform against a Mustang V6. However it is a lot more practical.
A well sorted front wheel drive is every bit as entertaining to drive so I fail to see how this can be wrong? Come on, sharper cornering and, yes, you can throttle steer a FWD – It just works the other way round.
Not bad. Not stupid cheap but not unobtainable. Another one of those cars that makes me want to win the lottery… “Over here I have a basic truck for doing work and getting dirty, there is my large comfortable sedan for long distance travel, here is an old 4×4 for the times one is really necessary, here is my hot hatch for bombing down a twisty two lane plastering a smile on my face…”
My hot hatch is for just that, hooning country roads, commuting and Costco runs. This all at 30+ MPG… Handy little things :-)
Hm, wait for this or go ahead with an FR-S? I wouldn’t mind sticking with the blue oval; however, might be a 6 month wait still. Plus, I was not much of a fan of the GTI nor the Speed3 as a daily driver.
I would say, “none of the above” if you are not much of a fan of those two cars. This one is a direct competitor, supposedly better, if the hype is to be believed.
The FR-S has virtually no torque in day to day driving (or even on the track) and is a completely different ‘species’.
Friend suggested last night that I look at a Genesis Coupe also; it has been updated for 2013. I hadn’t even thought of it or researched it. Add to the list.
Almost $25K starting for a Focus?
What is Ford smoking these days. The Focus is not very good…and more power through it’s faulty transmission will not make it, the styling, or the interior any more palatable.
Look mom, a TROLL!
No you’re right this seems mighty steep for a Ford fricking Focus, esp if you can slip into a Mustang for a similar cost. The economy car should be several grand behind the pony car, esp since there is no V6 option in the Focus. What is the Fusion going for these days? 30K? 35K?
If you want a Mustang, you can still buy a Mustang, this isn’t replacing it.
Pricing is in line with current hot hatches – the GTI 4 door starts at $25,365 including destination, and the Mazdaspeed3 starts at $24,795 with destination. Even the Civic Si 4 door starts at $23,345 with destination and is way down on power compared to the others.
Cars like the new Focus, Cruze, Dart, etc are proving that small doesn’t have to mean economy car. There are plenty of people who prefer a smaller vehicle due to space or fuel economy constraints, but want something with a high quality interior and the high end options that used to only be found on larger vehicles.
The Fusion tops out at around $35K for an AWD Fusion Sport with every option box checked, the Accord and Camry top out at about $33K, but don’t offer AWD, so those are all pretty much on par. You can option out any vehicle to a much higher price than the common midrange volume sales trim version.
Thanks Nullo, I don’t keep up with current pricing trends and won’t be in the market for a ‘new’ ride for a very long time. I just wonder if I’m the only one who priced then new Cavaliers/Sunfires with the 2.4L I4 in 2002 for $16,900. I mean these are basic cars, sure you can option them up, throw ten airbags in it, navi computers, and those gaudy 19in alloys which look totally out of place on small cars, but its still a small basic car. Maybe like your saying that’s what people want, but its higher than expected inflation under the guise of less is more. I’m just truly amazed at how they’ve been able to take these and convince us its a premium and tell us these golf cart sized A/B segment cars are now the ‘basic’ ones. I may be sounding like Baruth here, but I just don’t see the value in a $25,000 small car that’s not a Beemer… and yes I realize they do cost more than 25K new at least :)
Nullo, point of order on the Civic Si. It is actually right on target with the GTI – 201hp/170lbft vs. 200/207 for the GTI. The Si also weighs about 175 pounds less than the GTI.
Instrumented testing that I could find online shows that the Si and GTI will run neck and neck in the 0-60 sprint. In fact, VW claims a 0-60 of 6.8 sec vs. Honda’s claim of 6.9. So they are comparable.
It would be more accurate to say that the MS3 and Focus ST outgun both the Si and GTI in horsepower figures.
Pricing is in line with current hot hatches – the GTI 4 door starts at $25,365 including destination, and the Mazdaspeed3 starts at $24,795 with destination. Even the Civic Si 4 door starts at $23,345 with destination and is way down on power compared to the others.
Here’s the problem with your argument. VW is a premium brand. They can command a higher price.
A Focus is still just a cheap, entry level Ford. It doesn’t bring anything special to the party.
It’s a lot like Lincoln. Ford THINKS Lincoln competes with Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, etc. And on paper, it may look as if they do. But Lincoln has no brand cachet. They have less than Buick. Thus you cannot go around charging the same price for a Lincoln or Focus as you would a Cadillac or GTi.
The Focus and Lincoln are laughable entries in their respective classes. They need to be priced for what they actually are (like what Hyundai did with the Genesis sedan) not what Ford WANTS them to be.
This ‘arrogant pricing model’ is already doing damage to Ford. Sales are down, profits are down. And the laughable “One Ford” plan isn’t helping either.
Ford has made some very serious mis-steps in the past 5 years or so, and we are starting to see the results.
Since when is VW a “premium” brand?
Last I checked, they were the ones stripping their cars and pricing them like Hyundais. (And I even like VW)
Nullo Modo,
The ‘way down on power’ Civic Si has one more horsepower than the VW 2.0 turbo cars, a better power to weight ratio, and acceleration times that reflect it.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1203_honda_civic_si_vs_suzuki_kizashi_sport_gts_vs_volkswagen_jetta_gli_comparison/viewall.html
This is not your standard Focus. This is a VW GTI competitor. It’s a Focus with tuned suspension, exhaust, and ~240HP 2.0 Ecoboost engine.
And what is $24,000 these days anyways? It’s not the same $24,000 that back in 1998 could almost buy you a BMW 323i or Audi A4. Today, it buys you a “stripped” midsize car or a midrange to premium compact.
I’m glad someone mentioned the correct competition for this car.
I paid almost $28k for my GTI 4 years ago. $24k for the ST seems like a good deal.
The Focus doesn’t have a faulty transmission and this car will have a 6 speed manual.
Good work showing your ignorance.
So when does the hot Cruze SS arrive?
As soon as Daewoo can figure out how to add power to the 1.4T without causing more fires (or was that what you meant by “hot?”)
Oh look another troll.
It’s a fair price, right in line with the GTI and MS3, though I can’t wait for the comments complaining that it should have 300hp or start under $20k or that it tops 30 grand with every single option box checked, how dare they!
> though I can’t wait for the comments complaining that it should
> have 300hp
If it had 300HP, it’d need some boost delay programming that chokes the turbo when the steering wheel is turned too much.
I believe Focus RS had such thing. That exlained how much of a good idea the combination of 300HP+FWD was.
Otherwise, the new ST seems to be a good proposal. A lot of good compact hot hatchback for the no-nonsense price.
Reliability excluded, I’d have a hard time buying this over a GTI. I had the pleasure of riding 3 hrs in the back of a new Focus hatch this weekend and it was very snug in the legroom department. It felt very small. My wife agreed that it was far more snug than my old GTI and pretty close to the back seats of her MCS.
Honestly, I don’t see legroom being a huge priority for most people in this class. They’re more likely to be swayed by the 30 extra hp versus the GTI. The Mazdaspeed3 isn’t any better in the rear legroom department.
I see Ford is offering a moonroof option on the Focus ST. Pardon my ignorance, but other than the time of day, what’s the difference between a moonroof and a sunroof? Is there a difference?
Moonroof means that the sliding panel is glass so it can let light in even when closed. A sunroof is usually a more general term meaning that the panel can be glass or painted metal.
Thanks!
Despite all my years of automotive interest, I did not know that.
Good to see the car priced in line with the competition. Have to wonder how much life is left in this segment though. Used to be that these hot hatches were the best way to get cheap fun in this price range. However, between the fact that now V6 pony cars are no longer penalty boxes, Genesis coupes have some decent numbers, and the excitement around the FRS/BRZ twins, and all 3/4 (depending on how you want to count the BRZ/FRS) offer right instead of wrong wheel drive, and all offer equal, if not greater levels of fuel economy, unless you absolutely must have the space of the hatchback, I don’t see much reason to go for one anymore.
I haven’t sat in a FRS/BRZ but the seating/driving position in the Genesis Coupe or Mustang/Camaro is very different from the Focus/GTI/MS3.
Both types of cars offer cheap speed, but they’re different animals. FWD doesn’t mean it can’t handle very well and be very sporty, it will just have different characteristics than a RWD car.
I think the hatchback is the key. It allows them to fill the “only car” role for many more people than a more focused (no pun intended, too good to pass up) sports car could. Somewhat like what the sports sedans do vis-a-vis sports cars a bit higher up the price ladder.
Personally I don’t think it’s overpriced at all and will definitely give one a look see when they are available.
This car fits a different market then the pony cars or FRS/BRZ. This is more for the guy or gal who actually needs to carry around multiple people or children on a regular basis. Or who just wants a sporty yet practical car they can take to the store.
For 25k this is much more interesting than a FRS/BRZ to me. But then, i enjoy torque and have practical needs. 5-60 is more important than 0-60 for me. I have done the lightweight handling car with multiple miatas. This ST will sell in much bigger volume than the FRS/BRZ.
I just bought a GTI a couple months ago for $25K out the door. Now, I kinda wish I would have waited! This car = drools.
No you don’t. Did the same. While the Focus is a great car the GTi is better… Focus might be quicker but the GTi delivers a better overall handling / power package. In my opinion anyway.
As a GTI owner, I’d say Ford is right on the money with this. The 2012 Focus cars that I’ve looked at on the lot are nice inside and I like the styling a lot. IF – big IF I was in the market, I’d sure look at the Focus…….or maybe that new Fusion.
Couldn’t agree with you more had this been avail when I bought my GTI I would have seriously considered this. Even if there were issues with the car (and I’ve had my fair share with the GTI) it would have been more affordable to keep running vs. the GTI.
$24k seems about right. As for the “for that you could have a Mustang” crowd, not everyone can live with a RWD vehicle with useless back seats. For those of us who live in areas with snow-covered mountains and are prone to Ikea trips a FWD hatch makes a lot of sense.
Also, with this pricing announced I’m curious to see where the Veloster Turbo will be slotted among the competition.
My guess is maybe 1-2k less. $21500 to start? It is going to be less powerful and less practical. Should be an interesting contrast at least.
Guessing, $ 23,900-, but loaded. The typical way Hyundai goes after the market (priced like others’ lesser equipped versions)
The Focus hatchback has a borderline useless back seat. Modern performance compacts have so little ground clearance and such wide tires that they’re borderline useless in most winter precipitation conditions. This car would be good for Ikea trips though, or cruising around ‘antiquing’ like the guys in the VW commercial.
I’m 6’1 and have made some short trips in the back of a Focus hatch. It was livable. I’ve not sat in the back seat of a Mustang but in my buddy’s Boss 302 looked like it had about 1/8 inch of legroom.
Oh look, a Honda fanboy.
CJ, you are just wrong. At 6’4″ (36″ inseam), 235 lbs, I have taken at least four 3+ hour trips in the back seat of our Focus Titanium. It isn’t like riding in the back of an S-class, but I’m fine if someone under 6’1″ or so sits in front. We have fit four adults comfortable in the Focus. My bigger complaint when it comes to legroom is the front passenger seat. The dashboard sticks out way too far into the occupant space.
Add winter tires/rims for $800-1000, or buy a set that came off a Jaguar/Lincoln LS/pre-giant Taurus.
bball40dtw,
Is your Focus a sedan? I’ve tried sitting in the hatchback, and it is contortion-requiring small. I do recall reading that one of the body styles has more headroom than the other, and I hope it isn’t the one I looked at.
This would be a fun car to complement our main family car, the Outback. The Focus does have a smaller backseat but that is fine for the two boys in forward-facing carseat and booster.
But then I got an email from Subaru this morning, $299/month for a WRX lease. Also tempting. It may be getting antiquated, but still a fun car.
Just looked this up, and at least in my region, it’s a 42 month lease with $2000 down. Pretty steep for something you won’t own after nearly 4 years.
But FWIW, I’ve never seen Ford do lease specials on high performance cars except the Mustang GT.
Question for those living in snowy winter places – what do you do with a car like this that comes standard with summer tires? I’m in the market for a new ride and look forward testing this one out, but in the northeast, summer tires will be a no no for 4-6 months of the year. Is it common to have the dealer switch out the summer tires for good all seasons? I don’t really have the option of storing the summers and swithing them back and forth with all seasons.
I know a number of people who went straight to all seasons and sold their “new” summer tires for a decent amount. However, I bought winter tires mounted on separate rims and kept them in my in-law’s shed until I had a house where I could keep them stored. Surely you have a friend who can spare some storage space? I use the provided jack and just change them on the street, although I should get a real floor jack. My neighbors think I’m nuts (they are probably right).
Looks like I will have to be extra super nice to my in laws this summer before I hit them up for some storage space.
I store my GTI and Focus winter/summer tires in my garage. However, some tire places will store them for you. In the Detroit area, Belle Tire stores customer tires in a climate controlled warehouse. I know of a few independent European mechanic shops/tire places that store tires as well. I have no idea about the fee.
Of course you have a place to store them. Get a couple pieces of plywood, make 2 stacks of 2 tires, set plywood on top, and get instant end tables! Your significant other will applaud your ingenuity.
I say fork over the cash for all-seasons and put the summer tires on craigslist or ebay. Then use that money to buy beer. Or to rent a storage locker.
Well, this is nice. But I’m looking for a Focus with a few more ponies than stock (200 would be nice) and without all of the boy-racer trim pieces.
Oh, and the 6-speed would be nice instead of the 5-speed manual in lesser models.
If Ford is entering into the Hot Hatch market competitively, as it seems is the case, then this is good news indeed for this segment. More choice, more competition and more popularity.
So there is one outstanding question… GM! where are you?!?!