Ford Focus ST hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2

The Focus ST is available with one petrol and one diesel engine, although the latter isn’t available on the facelifted model that’s coming in early 2022. The petrol is the driver's choice, while the diesel engine still represents the best option for motorway drivers and those with long commutes.

Ford Focus ST MPG & CO2

The petrol is a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine with the ability to guzzle fuel when driven hard. Switch into its normal driving mode and take things easy, and it should be possible to get close to its official 35.3mpg economy figure. This is pretty similar to the 34mpg of the Hyundai i30 N Performance, while the Honda Civic Type R returns around 33mpg. As well as adding around £1,500 to the ST's price, the automatic gearbox reduces economy to 34.9mpg and CO2 emissions increase to 186-187g/km, meaning the ST sits firmly at the top of the BiK bandings alongside its rivals, so it's not a cheap option for company-car drivers.

Smaller and more efficient, the 2.0-litre diesel version of the ST should return up to 53.3mpg, while its CO2 emissions of 140g/km qualify it for a slightly lower BiK band, making it a tempting rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTD and the diesel Skoda Octavia vRS. Both versions of the Focus ST cost the standard rate a year in road tax.

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Insurance groups

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) gives the two engines very different insurance groups; the diesel should provide surprisingly low premiums, sitting in group 23 out of 50, while the petrol engine will cost a bit more to insure - it’s in group 34.

Warranty

Every new Ford comes with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty, which is the same as the Golf GTD, but shorter than the five-year/unlimited-mileage cover supplied with the Hyundai i30 N. Ford's warranty can be extended to four or five years in length at extra cost. As standard, one year of European roadside assistance is also included.

Servicing

Customers can take out a Ford Protect Service Plan to cover scheduled maintenance for an upfront fee or monthly payment. Upgrading this to Service Plan Plus also covers consumables such as brake pads and discs, the clutch, shock absorbers and the exhaust.