As you may have heard, Ford will be bringing its premiere hot hatch — the Ford Focus RS — to America for the very first time. But what about the already available Focus ST hot hatch? Well, these two performance vehicles are both tempting, but there’s some key differences between them, and we’re going to help you decide which of the two is more for you with our 2016 Ford Focus ST vs Focus RS comparison.
What’s similar in the Ford Focus ST and Focus RS
If you’re looking for a more thrilling ride, then both the Focus ST and Focus RS are going to provide that. They’re both based on the form of the 2016 Focus hatchback, and the interior is going to give the same roomy comfort with special seats coming standard in each. The Focus ST has a premium cloth that wears the ST logo, while the RS features partial leather with the RS insignia. Of course, both can also be upgraded to rock the full leather seats.
Differences in the Ford Focus ST and Focus RS
So the big difference right off the bat that you’ve likely noticed is the price. The Focus ST comes with a highly affordable MSRP of $24,425, while the Focus RS is priced at $35,730. So what causes the Focus RS to be more expensive? Well, it’s a combination of what is under the hood and what comes on the inside. The Focus RS has a 2.3L I-4 engine that outputs a very impressive 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque. The Focus ST’s smaller, but still powerful, 2.0L I-4 has 252 horsepower and 270 torque, but the difference here plays a big role. The RS also comes standard with features like SYNC 3 and a 10-speaker Sony audio system, which are options in the Focus ST.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Focus
Is the Focus ST or RS for me?
So who are these cars for? The 2016 Focus ST, while having impressive numbers, is very affordable and still gets a highway rating north of 30 MPG. The 2016 Focus RS is a bit more, but you’re definitely getting what you pay for — and the RS is something that a true lover of Ford performance should be itching to drive.
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