The Focus scored the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, and all STs come with six airbags. It is worth noting that pre-facelifted ST1 models lack the electronic stability control fitted to the ST2 and ST3. All facelift cars have ESP as standard though.

Available in three and five-door configurations, the ST offers comparable standards of practicality to the rest of the Focus range. There’s a generously sized load area and rear seats offer the usual 60/40 split folding capability. It lacks the fold flat trickery of some rivals though but there are numerous storage areas front and rear including a front armrest with a cubbyhole.

A new innovation for cars from 2008 is a system called Easyfuel which prevents you putting petrol into a diesel car and vice versa.