Ford’s last true Golf GTI rival is no more
It’s the end of an era that once seemed like it would go on forever. The last Ford Focus ST has rolled off the production line in Germany, as confirmed by a picture of a red example posted to Reddit, bringing an end to a memorable hot hatchback.
The Focus ST was one of the few cars that genuinely challenged the mighty Volkswagen Golf GTI, bringing to enthusiasts a mix of handling precision and performance in a compact, relatively affordable package. There’s a sliver of hope that Ford could revive its enthusiast-pleasing small car, though.
A Proud Hot Hatch Legacy
u/tbazsi95/Reddit
Ford’s hot hatch history goes back well over 40 years with models like the Fiesta SuperSport and XR2 in the early 1980s. With the first-generation Focus, Ford developed the SVT version with 170 horsepower and a uniquely tuned suspension, all wrapped in a far more modern body than the Escort.
A few years later, the Fiesta ST arrived, with its turbo engine making close to 200 horsepower. Like the Focus SVT, it had a slick manual gearbox and was one of the most enjoyable small hatchbacks to drive. In fact, we named it as one of the top 5 economy cars we miss.
By the time the last Focus ST was sold here, it had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 252 horsepower, enough for a 0-60 time of under 6.5 seconds. That was for the 2018 model year, the last time the Focus ST was sold here. Ford ended production of both the Fiesta and Focus for North America around this period, but other markets got another generation of each—the newest Focus ST sold overseas had a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that developed an impressive 276 hp.
Focus Could Return, But Not In The Way We Want
A report from earlier this month suggests that the Focus could make a comeback. A midsize crossover bearing the Focus nameplate is under consideration for a 2027 release, and it would be based on the same architecture as the existing Maverick pickup and Bronco Sport crossover. Both hybrid and fully electric powertrains are possible for the Focus crossover.
Why Ford needs to slap the Focus name on an entirely different type of vehicle is unclear. A fresh new name would work better, while preserving the legacy of the Focus hatchback/sedan. Then again, it’s more important to get the vehicle right than the name—most of us have come to terms with the fact that an electric crossover (Mustang Mach-E) shares part of its name with the iconic pony car.
If the Focus does return as a crossover, a performance version could revive the Focus ST badge, but fans of the original hot hatch won’t be thrilled.
Ford’s Cheapest Car Is A Truck, But That Could Change
Ford
With the demise of the Focus and Fiesta, Ford’s cheapest new model is the Maverick pickup truck, a sign of how dramatically the company has shifted focus in the sub-$40,000 price category.
But the complete absence of small hatchbacks and sedans in Ford’s lineup may not last. A recent statement from Bill Ford Jr., Henry Ford’s great-grandson, suggests that Ford is considering a return of small, efficient, compact cars. After all, rivals like Toyota, Honda, and Kia have all continued to enjoy success in these segments, so why shouldn’t Ford?
If small Fords do make a comeback, it raises hopes of another Ford hot hatch. We won’t hold our breath until we see some concrete evidence of that happening, but if the shift back to hybrids and gas-powered cars has taught us anything, it’s that automakers need to remain flexible. What may have looked like a sensible decision five years ago may not be today.
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