It was a crisp autumn morning when I took the facelifted Ford Focus Turnier up to the Feldberg. This mountain in the Taunus range is one of those rare places where a car can stretch its legs, tight bends, high-speed sweepers, elevation changes, and the occasional opportunity to test braking performance with more enthusiasm than legally advisable. It was the perfect hunting ground for both the humble 1.0-liter EcoBoost and the fire-breathing 2.3-liter Focus ST. But make no mistake: this story is less about mountain scenery and more about metal, rubber, and raw performance.
Plenty of space in the trunk of the Focus Turnier
Let’s start where most Focus Turnier buyers start: the boot. You don’t buy a station wagon like this for status or thrills. You buy it because life demands volume. With the rear seats up, the Focus Turnier swallows 415 liters of cargo. Drop them flat and you unlock a cavernous 1,590 liters. I stuffed it with my mountain bike, a full toolkit, camera gear, two duffel bags, and still had space for a few crates of apple wine. Loading is easy too. The sill is just 63 cm off the ground, the floor is almost level, and there are tie-downs and hooks exactly where you want them. Ford even gives you a 12V socket back there.
But the best bit? The cargo cover cassette. No wrestling, no cursing, just slide it into the rail and you’re done. More manufacturers should take notes.
Focus Turnier: No need for more station wagon
Inside, this car continues to overdeliver. The wheelbase is five centimeters longer than its predecessor, and it shows. Rear seat legroom is generous, bordering on luxurious for a compact. I’m 1.86 meters tall and can sit behind myself with room to spare. Headroom’s not an issue either. The materials are solid, the ergonomics are smart, and visibility is clear in all directions. You could drop twice as much cash on a BMW 3 Series Touring or Audi A4 Avant and still not find more space.
Need a touch of rugged charm? Go for the Focus Active version. It brings a raised ride height and tougher looks, but the Turnier already gives you more wagon than most people will ever need.
Test: Three-cylinder with 125 and 155 hp
Now let’s get to the engines. Both the 125 and 155 hp 1.0-liter EcoBoosts are three-cylinder turbos. Tiny heart, big spirit. I started with the 125 hp version. On paper, it sounds modest, but out on the Feldberg’s winding roads, it proved anything but underwhelming. The power delivery is linear, throttle response crisp, and though it hums below 1,500 rpm, it pulls eagerly once on boost. Overtaking slower hikers’ cars was never an issue.
This version averaged 6.3 L/100 km in my drive. Ford’s cylinder deactivation is active here, but you barely feel it. The steering? Spot-on. Brakes? Anchored the car from 100 km/h in just over 32 meters.
Then I stepped into the 155 hp mild-hybrid. Same basic block, now assisted by a 48V system and mated to a dual-clutch PowerShift gearbox. The mild-hybrid makes the transitions smoother, adds a bit of low-end grunt, and even slightly lowers the fuel use to 6.1 L/100 km. Torque delivery is brisk, the engine revs freely, and the transmission handles downshifts better than some rivals. There’s a real sense of polish here.
Test drive: Ford Focus ST station wagon with 280 hp
And then came the beast.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost ST with 280 hp isn’t just the sportiest Focus Turnier, it’s one of the most intense hot wagons you can buy without jumping into premium territory. On the Feldberg, it came alive.
From a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds is no joke. Torque? A walloping 420 Nm, and you feel every single one. Drop into second gear and mash the throttle, the turbo hits like a freight train, the front wheels scramble for grip, and the horizon rushes toward you. The six-speed manual is a joy: short throws, precise gates, a light but responsive clutch. In-gear acceleration is mad: 60-100 km/h in third took about three seconds. Even sixth gear pulls without complaint.
But all this comes at a price: fuel. I saw 8.3 L/100 km on my test loop, and that’s with restraint. Still, for this level of punch, it’s acceptable. Exhaust note? Subtle but purposeful. Enough to remind you you’re not in a family hauler anymore.
The Focus ST has significantly harder suspension
Handling is where the ST turns brutal. The suspension is firm, unforgiving, and communicative. This car doesn’t float, it bites. Around the Feldberg’s sharper bends, it felt planted, with just a hint of lift-off rotation if provoked. The electronic limited-slip diff works overtime, especially on damp tarmac, but sometimes it can’t quite tame the front wheels under full load.
Daily usability? Not as forgiving. Potholes and urban cobblestones remind you that you’re paying for performance with ride comfort. The Recaro seats are supportive but a hassle to slide into. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. This car makes you want to drive.
Very good active safety
Tech-wise, the Focus is well-stocked. Emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist, and forward collision warning are standard. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and even a head-up display.
The 13.2-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash now, powered by SYNC 4. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are onboard, and though I missed physical shortcut buttons, voice control worked well. Cabin visibility is excellent, and camera systems cover you during tight maneuvers.
Refreshed into the second half
The facelift didn’t just tweak styling, it rebalanced the entire model. A new hood, repositioned Ford badge, and LED headlights give the front more presence. Taillights with darkened accents on higher trims look sleek. Inside, the 13.2-inch screen changes how you interact with the car entirely.
Trim lines have been streamlined. “Trend” and “Cool & Connect” are gone. Now it’s Titanium, Active, ST-Line, and their respective X upgrades. Everything feels more focused.
Technical Specifications
For accuracy and reliability, all technical info is sourced instantly from the official websites of Ford.
| Category | Specification |
| Body Style | Station Wagon (Turnier) |
| Length | 4.67 meters |
| Trunk Volume | 415 L (standard), 875 L (to roof), 1590 L (max, seats folded) |
| Loading Sill Height | 63 cm |
| Rear Seat Folding | Split-folding with levers from trunk |
| Wheelbase | 5 cm longer than predecessor (exact not specified) |
| Engines | 1.0L 3-cyl EcoBoost (125 hp), 1.0L 3-cyl EcoBoost mHEV (155 hp), 2.3L 4-cyl ST (280 hp) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (standard), 7-speed PowerShift dual-clutch (for mHEV) |
| Fuel Type | Premium gasoline (Super) |
| Fuel Consumption | 6.1–8.3 L/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (ST model) | 228 g/km |
| Braking Distance (100–0 km/h) | 32.1 m (125 hp), 34.3 m (155 hp) |
| Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | 5.8 sec (ST 280 hp) |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h (ST model) |
| Torque (ST model) | 420 Nm |
| Suspension | Sport-tuned on ST; standard comfort on other trims |
| Infotainment Display | 13.2-inch touchscreen |
| Infotainment Features | SYNC with OTA updates, voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Safety Systems (Standard) | Emergency braking w/ pedestrian & cyclist detection, lane keeping, collision alert |
| Optional Assistance | Adaptive cruise w/ stop & go, head-up display, blind spot w/ CrossTraffic Assist |
| Platform Variants | Active (off-road style, +3 cm ground clearance, rugged cladding) |
| Suspension Comfort (ST) | Rating: 3.8 |
| Price (as of Oct 2024) | From €33,300 |
Conclusion
Ford’s Focus Turnier proves that practical doesn’t have to mean boring. In 125 or 155 hp form, it’s a smart, efficient, and surprisingly refined station wagon. The space is enormous, the comfort solid, and the tech up to date. The ST? That’s another animal altogether, an engaging, powerful, slightly unhinged performance wagon that demands your full attention. From family hauler to mountain-slayer, the Focus Turnier wears many hats. And it wears them well.
Is the 1.0-liter EcoBoost enough for long trips?
Yes, both the 125 and 155 hp versions handle highways with ease. The 155 hp version is especially relaxed at cruising speeds.
How much cargo fits in the Focus Turnier?
Up to 1,590 liters with the seats folded down. It’s one of the roomiest in its class.
Is the Focus ST too stiff for daily use?
It’s certainly firmer than most. Daily usability is possible, but comfort takes a back seat to performance.
