Ford were somewhat slow off the mark to introduce a performance model into the Focus range after its launch. In fact, it was nearly four years into its life when the ST170 arrived in 2002.
Based on the American Focus SVT, the ST170 comes with a 168bhp 2.0 engine and six-speed Getrag gearbox. ... Read review
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Car Reviews of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT »
1-5 of 7 Car reviews of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
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Excellent affordable hot hatch
Advantages: Balance of performance/running costs, handling, looks Disadvantages: Not as fast as rivals, some niggles on early cars
Ford were somewhat slow off the mark to introduce a performance model into the Focus range after its launch. In fact, it was nearly four years into its life when the ST170 arrived in 2002.
Based on the American Focus SVT, the ST170 comes with a 168bhp 2.0 engine and six-speed Getrag gearbox. In true fast Ford style, it also features 17" alloy wheels, larger bumpers and subtle extra fittings inside. It was enough to make me buy ... ...a trip back to the Ford dealer. The first was an ECU warning lamp that turned out to be a failed exhaust sensor, and the power steering pump was always noisy and changed at the first service, when it was found to be leaking. I have also read stories from some owners of older 2002 cars (02 and 52 plate) which had more faults. Most will be fine, but if you can buy a later model, so much the better.
Ford were somewhat slow off the mark to introduce a performance model into the Focus range after its launch. In fact, it was nearly four years into its life when the ST170 arrived in 2002.
Based on the American Focus SVT, the ST170 comes with a 168bhp 2.0 engine and six-speed Getrag gearbox. In true fast Ford style, it also features 17" alloy wheels, larger bumpers and subtle extra fittings inside. It was enough to make me buy one new in 2003.
And over the year I run it, the ST was a enjoyable car to own. Once the engine had run in, and the gearbox - which was so tight from new was almost unusable for 500 miles - I found the performance to be more than enough for daily use. There are faster rivals, and whilst the 2.0 engine never felt like it was delivering all 168 horses, it was certainly enough to make me confident in all driving situations.
Like all modern Fords, the Focus was blessed with a terrific chassis and the ST takes things a step further. The steering and suspension was only changed very slightly - a sign of how good the standard car is - and it shows. There was never any sign of understeer when pushing hard, which meant you could just thread the car along the road at speed. Amazingly, this wasn't at the expense of admirable ride comfort for a car with firm suspension and large wheels. What the ST lacks in engine punch it more than makes up for in the handling stakes.
I was lucky enough to buy an ex-showroom display model, which meant it came with almost every factory option, including such luxuries as a full leather Recaro interior, Xenon lighting, climate control, a stereo upgrade, parking sensors, sunroof and rear spoiler - plus loads more. Inside then was a great place to be! Enough toys to keep many amused, but then again, the heated seats were a boon in winter and climate controlled air conditioning was equally relaxing in summer. Twin and side airbags, plus switchable traction control and ABS provides excellent safety. It's also secure, with a Thatcham Category 1 interior scanning alarm and deadlocking.
Over the year, two faults developed which needed a trip back to the Ford dealer. The first was an ECU warning lamp that turned out to be a failed exhaust sensor, and the power steering pump was always noisy and changed at the first service, when it was found to be leaking. I have also read stories from some owners of older 2002 cars (02 and 52 plate) which had more faults. Most will be fine, but if you can buy a later model, so much the better.
Fuel economy was a surprise bonus. The official government figure was 31.0 mpg on the combined cycle, but measuring it myself I easily made 35-37 mpg and as much as 370 miles out of one tankful. The tall gearing, particularly with 6th for cruising, obviously helped. It also depreciated much more slowly than other Focus models - I paid just under £15k new and sold it for £11k some 15 months later.
Overall, I'd heartily recommend the ST170. For the hardcore enthusiast, the Civic Type-R might be a better choice, but I doubt it would come close to the ST in terms of all-round driveability and running costs.
Advantages: Fast, Fab sports handling, comfortable, Unique Styling Disadvantages: Expensive on repairs
I am a loyal Ford Owner and my fella currently has a Ford Focus ST170 03 reg and as I am now insured I feel I can comment on the perfomance of this car and wow what a performance it gives.
The Ford Focus ST170 can be easily distinguished from the standard Ford Focus with 17" alloy wheels, colour co-ordinated bumpers and bodyside mouldings, Xenon headlights that incorporate the indicator, a unique feature offered on the ST170 model.
There is a high ... ...Electronic Stability programme which as ford informs me senses when the car is drifting off line and automatically adjusts the engine power and brakes ti help maintain traction and stability through corners. This car literally grips the road and can take bends at 60mph comfortably, however I would not recommend doing this as the car offers fantastic steering and suspension throughout your journey, indeed making it a pleasure to drive.
The average ...
KELLYLOUJ 22.08.2005 (27.02.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
Advantages: handling, running costs, easy day-to-day car Disadvantages: fuel economy, superceded by 2.5 Focus ST
I've had mine for around 2.5 years now. Handling is great - very positive, and good fun when pushed. Straight-line performance is a touch below similar others (e.g. Civic Type 'R', Seat Leon Cupra Sport) but cornering is astonishing - you can fairly easily get controllable lift-off oversteer, which I wouldn't recommend on public roads. Fuel economy is distinctly average - I get around 27mpg driving in an average manner (not grandad or boy racer). ... ...but a cheap little wheel brush from Tesco helps a fair bit.
The compromise between running costs, handling, and performance is very good IMHO. Whilst it's not properly fast there is good performance there around 4,500-6,500 rpm, and it's very easy to drive sedately round town at lower revs. Whilst fuel economy is mediocre servicing and insurance are cheaper than similar rivals (it being a Ford). As with all similar front-wheel drive cars aggressive ...
Simon_12 13.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
Advantages: Its a Focus Hatchback Disadvantages: Low speed ride can be harsh.
Having owned a 1.8 Zetec for a year I decided that a change was needed as it had over 160,000 miles on the clock and I had already placed 20,000 on her.
I looked at several cars and was unimpressed with value for money until I saw a 2003 Focus ST170 in black. This car stood out with its 17" multi spoke alloys, lowered stance and Xenon headlamps, so much so, that I investigated further.
Sure enough the interior didnt scream "different" but the half ... ...CD player was enough to give it a small "wow".
After test driving the car it was clear this wasnt a balls out sports car, but more a tourer. Offering comfort and pace at extremely good price... I was sold and that was 2 months ago.
After owning the car for about 2 months, I feel that I am able to write a review that does the car justice.
Fist of all, I researched and found that people thought the fuel consumption was high and the figure quoted ...
mrpiesxrayeyes 30.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
Advantages: great sounding engine, sporty look Disadvantages: Drinks lots of fuel when driving round town
The ST170 might handle great but when it comes to acceleration it is a true let down, from 0 - 2500 rpms there is not enough power, but when 2500rpms have been reached it is then and only then that the car starts to perform. don't get me wrong it is a nice car and fun to drive, I just expected this car to have a lot more poke when you hit the throttle, fuel consumption wise it does seem to drink alot of fuel, to tell you the truth, to a full tank ... ...miles to the tank with day to day driving, but when you take this car on the motorway and the 6th gear is being used this very juicey car becomes the complete opposite, the fuel consumption decreases drastically you can now expect to get about 400 - 450 mile to the tank.
So to end this review about the ST170, if you are after a car that is quick of the mark then don't buy a one of these. it is not long until the ST220 comes out and the review I ...
Richard-Gould 22.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
Advantages: Reasonably fast, stylish Disadvantages: Not as fast as it could be, wheels are a nightmare to clean
...locking wheel nuts as the Ford ones just dont stand up to protecting those expensive alloys.
Take into account cost of tyres as these arent cheap for the size of wheels and if you drive the car fairly agressively, and lets face it thats how the car loves to be driven, the tyres will wear quickly.
Beware of problems like the Dual Stage Manifold breaking. This is a fairly expensive item to fix and they have a tendancy to break due to a plastic lug ... ...from the solenoid that is bolted to the bulkhead.
Also the Lambda Sensors or exhaust sensors have a tendancy to fail which will put the engine management light on. Make sure you have the latest ecu software if your buying a ST170 older than an 03 plate. The new software was brought out to solve the surging issues when the engine is cold and lack of braking power due to the lack of pressure in the brake servo from cold.
There are lots of power increasing ...
SparkyST 01.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Focus ST170 2.0i 16V Duratec ST VVT
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