We review the Ford Focus RS from price to economy and all its features

THIS is the most difficult review I have ever had to write.

I’ll tell you why. My job is to put into words how good, bad or indifferent a car is.

5

But explaining how sublimely gorgeous the Ford Focus RS is to drive is like getting the Beatles to reform — impossible.

I know that sounds like hyperbole, but I promise it isn’t. There’s nothing I can do other than set my stall out from the word go — this is one of the best cars I have ever driven.

5

Don’t get me wrong, I tried to not like it. I’m not one of the brainwashed Ford fanboys who won’t hear a bad word against the Blue Oval.

The ease with which the RS slips between B-road hooligan, Maccies car park ladykiller and around-town burbler is astonishing

While most reviews are by journos who melted a set of tyres until the RS was running on its 19in rims at Valencia race track back in April, my aim was to live with the car for a week.

Most track-capable motors are pigs to drive every day. They are too grumpy around town, the ride is too firm and they cost a fortune to run.

That is how I thought I would catch the RS out, expose its flaws, unearth even a shred of doubt to pass on to those who are considering buying one.

Nada. Nothing. Zilch.

5

OK, maybe if you are over 50, the styling might be a touch in-your-face.

And if you buy your cars with money made by dealing drugs, the RS is going to get you a tug from the boys in blue.

But what we are dealing with here is a 345bhp powerhouse that refuses to lose grip and has a built-in Drift Mode, yet comes with five doors, plenty of room in the boot and can return a healthy 35mpg when driven in Normal Mode. The ease with which the RS slips between B-road hooligan, Maccies car park ladykiller and around-town burbler is astonishing.

This car literally does it all. Obviously, the first thing you do is dial in Sport Mode. Track Mode will give it full beans but cut out traction control — so on the roads I caution against this.

Because what you have is a car capable of 0-62 in less than five seconds but isn’t exactly light.

5

No, Sports Mode will do you, trust me. With an exemplary all-wheel-drive system keeping you stuck to the tarmac like a limpet, the RS will take any punishment you offer without skipping a beat.

It would take one hell of a driver to tie the RS into knots. Everything about it screams: “I’m more capable than you are, mate.”

And because of that, it makes you feel like a total pro.

If you can’t pull the petrolhead girl of your dreams in this car, give up

That Drift Mode shifts power between the wheels to help you do your best Ken Block impression, using technology it would take three pages to explain.

And there is even launch control.

If you can’t pull the petrolhead girl of your dreams in this car, give up.

Slip back into Normal Mode and it glides around town, the suspension softened at the flick of a button, the sonorous engine note calmed to a point where it could almost be called respectful of the neighbours.

5

And hey, it is a Ford Focus underneath all of that balls-out brilliance, one of Britain’s most popular family cars.

I had three people in the back, did the Friday big shop and drove my granny to church (that one was a lie, but I could have if I wanted).

The point is, this is as much of a family car as you want to make it.

I’ll leave you with this, which I think sums the RS up better than anything I can write: The second I handed the keys back to Ford, I went online and began running the numbers to buy one.