2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign, Pictures, Engine – A lot’s been made in recent years of the Ford Mustang’s move from the tradition in which it’s rooted toward something a lot more like a sports car. The switch away from a solid rear axle was the real impetus for the perception shift, allowing the sixth-gen car to corner unlike any of its predecessors. That alone has led to a sense that perhaps this pony car is more of a Nissan Z competitor than one built to take on the likes of the Dodge Challenger. That’s the idea, at least. In reality, with a snarling V8 stuffed between its fenders, the redesigned 2026 Ford Focus ST remains a properly performing – and proportioned – muscle car, albeit one that’s been thoroughly modernized.
2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
Fitted with three pedals and a six-speed manual transmission, the 2026 Focus ST feels like a barely tamed beast in the best ways possible. The gearbox is incredibly forgiving, thanks in no small part to all that torque that builds steadily towards its peak at 4,900 rpm, while the notchy gear stick and heavy-ish clutch pedal quickly and clearly relay what’s happening back to the driver. (The auto rev-matching function doesn’t hurt, either, taking the pain out of heel-and-toe downshifting for those who haven’t mastered it.) 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign
With all the engine’s torque heading to the rear wheels, it’s easy enough to change direction using the throttle pedal; however, doing it the conventional way leads to turn-in response that’s almost sports-car-like, with the Mustang darting and diving into corners despite a soft and supple suspension setup that has just a bit of sloppiness to it.
2026 Ford Focus ST Specs
There’s no denying that the cheapest V8-powered Mustang has been stripped of some of the features that might be expected for the money. The seats are manually adjustable (and they aren’t heated) and the climate system is of the single-zone variety, to name a couple surprises inside a car that’s priced at nearly $50,000 before freight and tax. But then there are those big, bright displays inside, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Plus those skimpy features can be upgraded for a relatively reasonable price, as they were in this tester.
The GT High pack ($2,900) upgrades the stereo from six speakers to nine, adds satellite radio (which requires a subscription), heated front seats, power adjustability for the driver’s side, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Meanwhile, all that and more is included with the Focus ST Premium trim that starts at $54,400. 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign
Engine and Performance
Opting for the entry-level engine, a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder, removes all kinds of weight from the front of the car, making the Mustang feel a little more light and lively as a result. No, it’s never going to be confused for a car like the tiny (and tidy) Toyota GR86, but cutting something like 109 kg (240 lb) compared to the V8 version has a way of altering the way this Ford operates.
Sticking with the Focus ST is to get it the way the car gods intended. That means a 5.0L V8 under the hood that generates 486 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque when fitted with the optional performance exhaust ($1,495). Those numbers drop slightly without the upgrade, with 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque to work with. Either way, that’s on an expensive diet of 93-octane gas, but it’s well worth the money for all the angry noises it makes, not to mention the way it performs. 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign
2026 Ford Focus ST Fuel Economy
Less practical is this car’s appetite for expensive fuel, with the 2026 Ford Focus ST rated to consume a combined 13.8 L/100 km. (That number improves to 13.1 with the automatic transmission in place of this tester’s manual.) Even so, overachieving is easy enough, even without a light foot on the throttle, with this test resulting in an indicated average of 12.9 L/100 km combined across a little more than 500 km.
For all the surface-level changes to the 2026 Ford Focus ST, it’s still damn good at being what it’s meant to be: a raucous coupe with more power than it needs, all of which it requires little effort to unleash. If anything, it’s better than before in that regard, handling a little more like a sports car while unquestionably maintaining its muscle car status. 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign
2026 Ford Focus ST Safety Features
The majority (though not all) of the surprisingly large number of standard enhanced safety features is included in the asking price of the least expensive Focus ST. Included are rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, front collision warning with automated emergency braking, and the backup camera that is required for all new cars. Adaptive cruise control is the lone exception, along with blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam control, and rear cross-traffic warning. (For $1,700, it may be added to the GT Premium trim.) 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign
2026 Ford Focus ST Price and Release Date
There’s no question its starting price – $48,500, to be exact – puts the 2026 Focus ST in rare company these days for delivering big bang for a reasonable buck. Beyond simply offering so much muscle for the money, it’s competitively priced, too. The cheapest V8-powered version of the 2026 Chevrolet Camaro starts at $50,199 (it makes less power but more torque), while even the Nissan Z is a pricier proposition at $50,998 before freight and tax.
Meanwhile, this tester was fitted with a few desirable features – the GT High package and its heated seats, as well as a fantastic adaptive exhaust system, among others – while barely breaking $57,000 before tax. In short, there’s a lot of car here for the money. 2026 Ford Focus ST Redesign