I did not want to like the Focus ST.I watched the Internet hype train chug along for years, ever since the car was first rumored around 2011. Of course, I believed Ford would build it - they’d already released a few generations of the moniker in Europe - but selling it in the USA was another story. America didn’t get the last Focus ST, because we never got the “global” Mk2 Focus. Now that the new Mk3 Focus would be truly global, we would also be slated for the hot version of the car.The train grew larger.“It’ll be better than a WRX,” they said. “It’ll be better than an Evo,” they said. “It’ll be better than a GTI, easily,” they said.The Mk3 Focus ST is like that kid who’s going to be a freshman at your college next year, and maybe he might be a pretty good ball player. His older brother went to a school out of state, and led another college to a state title. Since the little brother bears the family name, the stories and projected stats start flying around. Pretty soon, the student body thinks the new guy will be the best thing since Adrian Peterson. So you develop a distaste for the guy, though you’ve never even seen him.He shows up. And he starts winning games, pulling off flashy plays and showing off a lot. You still think he, and the people who hype how cool he is, are insufferable dicks. Then he sits next to you in class one day, and you discover he’s not just coasting through on a football scholarship. And he’s actually a considerate, well-meaning dude who doesn’t take himself too seriously. And you can’t help but like him.ExteriorFrom just about any angle, the ST just looks...right.It’s tough for me to say that about modern cars. I usually find automotive styling these days too fussy and heavy handed, but the Focus ST has the perfect look about it. Yes, it has broad shoulders and tough angles, but also swooping rear arches and great hips. I like the catfish grill on the Focus. It gives the car a vaguely displeased face - it’s confident in its abilities.It might be a bit too bold for some. But I love it - this isn’t a car for shy people.InteriorNow, I’m not a huge fan of the Mk3 Focus interior in general. It’s an inoffensive design; the vertical air vents and rectangular center stack won’t be remembered for blazing trails in aesthetic design, but they function. I’m going to go right ahead and show my bias here: I own a Mk1 Focus, a car whose interior has been more polarizing than any other I’ve driven. I like funky interiors, even if they’re not made from the best parts.The Focus ST’s living space is well put together, at least. Ten years ago, most hot hatches had no business being anywhere near this nice inside, but Ford’s crammed some quality materials into the cabin. Even though they’re not particularly exciting to look at.More importantly, the Focus ST has made me okay with five doors. I’ve long been an opponent of five door hot hatches, I never felt cramped, like I have in other five doors hatches. The car I was given had the full leather, all-black Recaros. Truth be told, I’d opt for the cloth insert models - not only are they cheaper, but they spice up what’s otherw
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