Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD vs Ford Focus ST

The Ford Focus ST is a performance-oriented hatchback that brought the Focus model into the hot hatch arena after its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Arriving in the United States for the 2013 model year, the Focus ST was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which garnered significant interest among enthusiasts, leading to over 2,000 preorders by June 2012. The car was reported to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a swift 6.1 seconds. Following a facelift in 2015, the Focus ST continued to attract attention for its sporty design and handling before retiring from the market in 2018.

The Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD is a premium compact sedan that aimed to combine luxury with sporty performance. While the previous generations featured a high-performance V8 option with the legendary IS F, the third-generation model, launched in 2014, shifted to a larger and heavier platform without a V8. However, Lexus introduced the F Sport trim for the IS 350, which offered an aggressive aesthetic and functional upgrades but did not enhance performance. A limited-slip differential was later added, but it remained exclusive to rear-wheel-drive variants.

The Ford Focus ST is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 252 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This combination allows the car to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds, emphasizing its positioning as a spirited hot hatch with front-wheel drive dynamics.

In contrast, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD is equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 306 horsepower and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This sedan boasts an estimated 0-60 mph time of approximately 5.6 seconds, benefiting from its all-wheel-drive system, which provides better traction and stability.