Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: £26,995 to £26,995
Sensational drive, storming performance, unbelievable traction, decent ride.
Cabin doesn't feel special, driver's seat mounted too high.
Ford hatches a new performance icon.
The RS deals well with all manner of imperfections, nasty mid corner bumps and surface changes. It also rides better than you'd think when you're not tearing up the tarmac. True, it feels stiffer than the cosseting Impreza STi, but it's acceptable enough for passengers and never gets crashy.
This is the most expensive Focus money can buy, so you would expect lots of free kit. Not quite: you do get the incredible limited slip diff, ESP, muscular bodykit, 19" alloys, xenon lamps, drainpipe sports exhaust, heated front screen, DAB radio and those supportive and sporty Recaro seats.
So far so good, but it's a shame that Bluetooth hands-free still costs £200, sat nav costs £1,500 and you need to stump up another £750 to add climate control and auto lamps and wipers.
