Ford Focus RS 2.5 Review: The Right Stuff

What we like:

Five-cylinder noise

immense grip

sublime steering

livable ride

on boost performance

looks

What we dislike:

Attracts too much attention from all quarters

lack of quality inside

vague gear change

The RS isn't as accurate a driving tool as say the old Renaultsport Megane R26 - you have to drive this car like taking the bull by the horns or manhandle it, so to speak but it is certainly plenty of fun and a real riot to drive.

The RS has a markedly stiffer than its ST cousin but it is not to the point of bone shaking and unbearable like in an early Evo or WRX. The ride actually feel composed on our roads at both cruising and town speeds. The anchors on the RS feel strong and assuring - this is complimented by excellent progressive feel with the middle pedal.

For local RS fans and petrol heads alike, it had been a long wait for the hallowed RS badge to return to a Ford model here. The brilliant Focus RS has certainly made the wait worth it. The Focus RS is an absolute riot of a hot hatch and is certainly the most fun to drive in recent memory but the incoming Renaultsport Megane RS 250 or the Volkswagen Scirocco R could well spoil the RS' party though, so I wouldn't pop that champagne yet if I were the Ford.

Credits: Story and Photos by Raymond Lai