Ford Focus ST Estate Is The Perfect Antidote To The Hot SUV

FIRST DRIVE Load-lugger is the perfect antidote to the hot SUV.

- Sean Carson

Affordable, practical performance cars are being squeezed by hot SUVs, such as the ones in our group test on page 36. For many, if you want usability in a fast package, then a high-riding crossover is the on-trend vehicle of the moment.

But what if you don’t want to sacrifice the driving experience that these off-roaders compromise? There aren’t many versatile and fast compact estates, but thankfully there’s a new choice: the Ford Focus ST Estate.

It combines all of the chassis and engine know-how from Ford’s ST hot hatch in a more practical body. And while that adds another £1,100 to the Focus ST’s already lofty £31,995 price tag, it’s not all that much to pay for such a boost in usability.