Modern Rides

Ford Focus ST: The 'Pocket Rocket' Name is Well-Deserved

8/8/2014

Photo: Ford

After our capsule review of the Mazda3, we thought we'd kick it up a notch by "focusing" on the Ford Focus ST. Our "Race Red" example certainly fit the bill as a "Pocket Rocket" or "Hot Hatch" or whatever you want to nickname today's extraordinary performance small cars.

With 252 horsepower, 23/32 city/highway miles per gallon and a well-equipped version going for under $24,000 MSRP, this car is a barrel of fun for budget-minded enthusiasts. The six-speed manual transmission is smooth, the handling is European-tight on the back roads and comfortable for daily commutes, and the sport seats fit like a glove. We were occasionally reminded that we were in an econobox and there was ample torque steer through the shifts, but that didn't keep us from craving this little bruiser.

If we were still single, in our 20s and looking for a car to make the commute more exciting and dates more plentiful, this hatch would be one of our favorite picks. A new Focus ST is expected in Ford showrooms early next year and we can't wait. It appears the coming Mazdaspeed3 will have even stiffer competition, but we're not complaining.

BY THE NUMBERS
Price: $23,625
Horsepower: 252
0-60: 5.9 secs (TopSpeed)
Curb weight: 3,223 lbs

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Ford

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Motor Trend

Mazda3: Little Car with a Big Reputation

8/1/2014

Photo: Mazda

We've always been big fans of the Mazda lineup, especially the Mazda3. The current version is a little car with a big reputation. It's consistently rated well ahead of its small-car competition and has garnered raves from our colleagues in the automotive press.

It's easy to see why this little car is so loveable. It rides and drives like something more expensive. It's rock-solid on the highway and taut in the twisties. With Mazda's SKYACTIV engine technology, even the larger 2.5-liter, 184-horsepower four-banger delivers mileage of 28 city/39 highway with the automatic. (Fortunately, Mazda plans to offer a six-speed manual for this drivetrain in 2015.) The interior fit, finish and materials give off a distinct whiff of Audi. And we're more than giddy that the old "smiley-face" grille has been banished to the junk heap.

Things we could do without include the two-tone almond-and-black leather interior, the rather thin driver's seat bottom and the stick-on dash control screen. But that may just be splitting hairs. We'd still take an s Grand Touring five-door in "Soul Red Metallic" with the all-black leather interior, please. Or, we'll wait for the Mazdaspeed version that's said to be on the drawing board as this is written. Mazda, how about an introduction date?

BY THE NUMBERS (s Grand Touring)
Price: $26,495
Horsepower: 184
0-60: 7.4 secs (Motor Trend)
Curb weight: 3,002 lbs

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Mazda

Car and Driver

Motor Trend

Ford Focus ST: The 'Pocket Rocket' Name is Well-Deserved

Mazda3: Little Car with a Big Reputation

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