The Ford Focus ST safety kit list should give peace of mind especially when you consider that the standard Focus, on which it is based, received a full five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. In terms of safety systems the ST features front, side and curtain airbags for driver and passenger, whiplash-lessening headrests and ISOFIX child seat attachments.

The raft of safety systems designed to keep the driver on the road includes stability control and if you want you can order the Driver Assistance Pack that includes blind spot warning, active cruise control lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, driver alert and auto high beam. Most notably there’s also the option of the low speed safety system that will stop the car automatically if it thinks you are going hit the car in front in slow-moving traffic.

If you want a practical car then you’ve got it, in either bodystyle. Like all Ford Focuses the ST comes with ample boot space and entirely acceptable interior space. The hatchback offers 363 litres of loadroom with the rear seats down but this is with a tyre repair kit. If you want a full-size spare that will go down to 277 litres and then up to 316 litres with a space-saver wheel.

Fold the rear seats down and you get 1,148 litres with the repair kit, 1,062 with a full-size spare wheel and 1,101 litres with a space-saver. Clearly, this is ample for a golfer with a big bag and still enough space for a couple wanting to go on a weekend camping trip. Those with a couple of kids might want to go for the estate that offers a hearty 1,516 litres with the rear seats down and a repair kit and 490 litres, also with a repair kit.

The estate doesn’t come with a full-size spare wheel, but you can get a space-saver that slightly reduces the luggage space. The Focus ST features 60:40 split-folding rears seats, good levels of adjustment on the front seats and steering wheel so the driver can get comfortable without too much faffing about and plenty of cubbies in which to store stuff.

Yes, it’s a Focus with bells on, but it’s still hugely practical.