Is the Ford Focus ST RWD?
No—the Ford Focus ST is not rear-wheel drive. In all modern ST versions, the car is front-wheel drive, while the closely related Focus RS uses all-wheel drive. There is no factory RWD version of the Focus ST today.
Drivetrain reality for the Focus ST
Understanding the ST’s drivetrain helps clear up common confusion with the RS. The Focus ST has historically been built as a front-wheel-drive performance hatch, tuned for higher grip and sharper handling but still powered through the front wheels. Some markets offered a limited-slip differential as part of a Performance Pack to improve traction, but this did not convert the car to rear-wheel drive. The Focus RS, by contrast, is an all-wheel-drive model designed for higher launch grip and different handling characteristics.
Below is a quick reference that contrasts the ST with the RS and clarifies how the ST has been configured across markets.
- Focus ST drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (with some markets offering a limited-slip differential via a Performance Pack). No factory RWD option.
- Focus RS drivetrain: All-wheel drive, with advanced torque-vectoring capabilities for enhanced performance and drift-friendly handling in some settings.
- Alternative configurations: The ST and RS share the same basic platform and turbocharged engines in some generations, but the RS remains AWD while the ST remains FWD.
In short, if you’re after rear-wheel-drive performance in a Focus, you’ll be looking at the RS line in markets where it was sold, not the ST.
Market availability and current status
The status of the Focus lineup varies by region and era. Here’s how things look in practice for the ST versus broader Focus availability today.
- Europe and other non-US markets: The Focus ST has been offered as a front-wheel-drive hot hatch with performance-oriented tuning, sometimes including a limited-slip differential; production and availability have evolved with each generation and facelift.
- United States and Canada: The Ford Focus was largely withdrawn from the market in 2018, and there has not been a new, widely available Focus ST offer in North America since then. The Focus RS was briefly offered in the US around 2016–2018, but it is not currently a dealer option.
- Global product strategy: Ford has shifted emphasis toward electrified models and crossovers in many regions, which has affected the prominence and availability of compact hatchbacks like the Focus ST. As of the mid-2020s, the ST remains a European-market performance variant rather than a US-integrated lineup.
These market realities mean that, for most buyers outside select European markets, the Focus ST is not a current, widely available option. The RS remains the closest Ford offering to a high-performance, all-wheel-drive alternative, though even RS availability has varied by region and year.
Summary
In conclusion, the Ford Focus ST is not rear-wheel drive. It has always been a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, with some markets offering a performance-oriented limited-slip differential but never converting it to RWD. If you want true all-weather grip and different handling characteristics, the Focus RS is the AWD option to consider. Availability of both models varies by region and year, especially as Ford’s regional lineups evolve toward electrification and crossovers.
Is the Ford ST RWD?
Out there is the fact that it's built on a rearwheel. Drive biased platform front engine rear wheel drive you can have all-wheel drive but you can have rear wheel wheel drive.
Is the Ford Focus ST rear wheel drive?
The ST has a more conventional front-wheel-drive layout, which means it's lighter and easier to thread down one of the UK's fun and narrow country roads, so casual drivers will favour this more than the track-ready RS.
Is the Focus ST FWD or RWD?
The Ford Focus ST is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle. Unlike the high-performance Focus RS, which has all-wheel drive (AWD), the ST relies on its front wheels for power and traction.
You can watch this video to see a review of the Ford Focus ST's performance: 1mBarrett’s Reviews YouTube · Mar 2, 2025
- Drivetrain: The Ford Focus ST is exclusively front-wheel drive.
- Power Delivery: Power from the turbocharged engine is sent to the front wheels, which is a common layout for hot hatches.
- Comparison to RS: The more powerful Focus RS model, on the other hand, features all-wheel drive.
Is the Ford Focus FWD or RWD?
Most Ford Focus models are front-wheel drive (FWD), including the standard versions and the performance-oriented ST model. The high-performance Focus RS model has all-wheel drive (AWD), not RWD. However, some custom builds convert the Focus to RWD for project purposes.
You can watch this video to see the comparison of different drive types including the Focus RS: 58sCar ThrottleYouTube · Dec 9, 2016
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): This is the most common configuration for the Ford Focus. The engine's power is sent to the front wheels, which is typical for many standard cars for cost-effectiveness and practicality.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD): The high-performance Focus RS model comes standard with all-wheel drive to provide better performance and traction.
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): The standard Ford Focus is not built with RWD. Any RWD Focus you see is the result of a custom conversion project, such as the one featured in this YouTube video.
