Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing a 2024/2025 Focus ST Line X and had a few questions which I can't seem to get an answer to from any of my local salesman(!) so thought I'd sign up and ask here.

Digital Instrument Cluster

I'm noticing when browsing for cars that there are different layouts of the dials on different cars and I've not been able to find out why. I've seen 3 different sets of dials. On a 2025 car, shown below, it has a more analogue style layout (light blue) of the revs and speedometer which I find far easier to read than some of the other layouts. The dark blue layout (2023 car) is another I've come across along with the dark black screen (2024 car) with large digital figures. I thought the reason was down to different model years however I've seen vehicles to suggest that's not the case.

Could anyone here clarify how these differences come about? Are they, for example, all actually present on facelifted Focus' and can be selected via a customisation menu within the SYNC 4 system? The salesman said that they are all in different driving modes and that's the reason for the change but I'm not sure that's correct as when I cycled through the modes on a test drive I didn't see those, it was more of a simple colour change than the more major differences seen in the pictures attached.

I wondered if it may be differing software versions which an update to the latest version can activate, the salesman didn't know.

Reversing Camera

I've come to realise that a reversing camera being specified from factory is a fairly rare option. To not have to narrow down my search results so much, is it possible for an OEM retrofit of the reversing camera being fitted to the car by a professional? I'm coming from owning BMWs where aftermarket retrofitters are aplenty however I'm not finding many Ford retrofitters/coders who do similar work.

Any advice and info for buying/anything else to look out for would be much appreciated and useful.

Many thanks

2025 (the layout I hope I can get on any facelift Focus) :

2024:

2023:

18 minutes ago, AD18 said:

Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing a 2024/2025 Focus ST Line X and had a few questions which I can't seem to get an answer to from any of my local salesman(!) so thought I'd sign up and ask here.

Digital Instrument Cluster

I'm noticing when browsing for cars that there are different layouts of the dials on different cars and I've not been able to find out why. I've seen 3 different sets of dials. On a 2025 car, shown below, it has a more analogue style layout (light blue) of the revs and speedometer which I find far easier to read than some of the other layouts. The dark blue layout (2023 car) is another I've come across along with the dark black screen (2024 car) with large digital figures. I thought the reason was down to different model years however I've seen vehicles to suggest that's not the case.

Could anyone here clarify how these differences come about? Are they, for example, all actually present on facelifted Focus' and can be selected via a customisation menu within the SYNC 4 system? The salesman said that they are all in different driving modes and that's the reason for the change but I'm not sure that's correct as when I cycled through the modes on a test drive I didn't see those, it was more of a simple colour change than the more major differences seen in the pictures attached.

I wondered if it may be differing software versions which an update to the latest version can activate, the salesman didn't know.

Reversing Camera

I've come to realise that a reversing camera being specified from factory is a fairly rare option. To not have to narrow down my search results so much, is it possible for an OEM retrofit of the reversing camera being fitted to the car by a professional? I'm coming from owning BMWs where aftermarket retrofitters are aplenty however I'm not finding many Ford retrofitters/coders who do similar work.

Any advice and info for buying/anything else to look out for would be much appreciated and useful.

Many thanks

2025 (the layout I hope I can get on any facelift Focus) :

2024:

2023:

The dash at the bottom is what I have on my 2021 Titanium X.

25 / 75 plate ST Line X's seem to be coming very heavily laden with previously expensive options such as BLIS, H.U.D. Reversing camera, door guards, sunroof and B&O sound systems, probably because they're the last of production.

It's possible that due to the fact that sadly this amazing car has ceased being produced that Ford are using various dash layouts.

A delivery mileage / sub 3000 mileage 25 / 75 plate ST Line X with most, if not all of the above extras can be obtained for around £21k which is good value in my opinion. ( I'm looking for one too ).

The layouts are customisable to some degree and background colour does differ between drive modes, but afaik not to the extent of switching between those shown.

The bottom one is as also used on the Mk 8.5 Fiesta and pre-facelift Puma, the middle one is as the facelift Puma, and I believe the top one is the last Focus but dont know exactly when introduced.

My advice would be to carefully scrutinise any vehicle of interest and ensure it has what you want. Have the salesperson demonstrate the instruments to you rather than rely on their word as they often haven't a clue.

Some members on here have done retrofit cameras themselves but there are certainly plenty of firms who offer the service. I'd try and get a car already factory fitted if possible though.

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/142783-focus-mk4-camera-install/

I have a 2023 Focus ST Line X and there are 3 modes,
Normal - Dark Blue
Eco - Light Blue
Sport - Black (the only mode I use, the throttle response is good and I prefer the black screen)

In late 2024 Sync 4 got a software update changing the layout style (same driver mode colours)
I don't think earlier cars have had the option to update yet, I've had mine a year.

AI Overview

Ford modified the layout of the Sync 4 infotainment system on the Ford Focus in late 2024 via over-the-air (OTA) updates—specifically updates around version 6.x—primarily to improve user experience, address common functionality complaints, and streamline access to frequently used features.

The updates were designed to make the interface more intuitive and resolve issues reported by users, similar to updates rolled out for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning during that period.

Key reasons for the layout change included:

• Improved Connectivity: The updates addressed problems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto losing connection intermittently.

• Fixing Bugs: The revisions aimed to resolve issues with freezing maps, calling, and audio, particularly after previous updates had caused glitches.

• Consolidating Media: External sources like Bluetooth and USB were combined into a single "Media" app for easier navigation.

• Streamlining Access: The update moved certain tools from deeper in the settings menu to the main Apps screen, reducing the number of steps required to access common functions.

• Camera View Enhancements: Camera viewing options were reorganized to appear on a single screen, reducing the need for scrolling.

These changes were pushed to Ford Focus vehicles equipped with Sync 4, ensuring the system remains competitive and functional.

Towards the end, as with the Fiesta, Ford seemed to be batch building to popular specs but the range was very limited, so finding an ideal spec could be pot luck. Latest price list I have is linked below.

PL-New_Focus.pdf

Hi all,

Thanks very much for the advice, @MONDEO TXS 2.2 , @Eric Bloodaxe , @RAIDER32 for what is my first post on this forum and as a newbie to Ford!

I must say, this is new terrirory for me dealing with cars that seem to have been made from the parts bin and with specs changing from year to year, it's baffling to get my head around all the changes!

I think I'll take the advice here to try find one with a reversing camera spec'd from factory. The instrument dash layout is a puzzling one. If I were to buy an approved used car from Ford, could I request that it has the latest software installed as part of the deal? Or, have times moved on since my last car purchase and software is all done OTA rather than at the dealer now? I suppose buying a Focus elsewhere then bringing it to Ford will incur a charge for updating software?

I've noticed that 2025 ST-Line X's no longer have the leather seats!? This seems to align with the current configurator which only lists fabric seats as an option...another end of line tweak?

@Eric Bloodaxe Thanks for the price list. I notice ST-Line X has been replaced by ST Line X Edition. Do you know much about the differences?

From what I gather, I think a late 2024 ST Line X should have the leather and possibly the updated dash software. I just need to look out for a low mileage one with all the options.

The salesman showed me a HJ reg car on site which he said were cars built for managers at Ford HQ so are often highly optioned. It had a steering wheel icon as one of the buttons by the cruise control and he said it allows you to take your hands off the wheel and it'll steer for you. The other salesman said there is no autonomous driving feature on Fords haha 😵‍💫. Any idea what that feature was? From the options list I think I saw that adaptive cruise (if that's what that was) is only on autos. If that's the case I'll no longer look out for that as I'm after a manual.

I know manufacturers don't produce hard copy brochures anymore but is there an electronic one for the Focus so I can read more about the car's various features?

Many thanks!

5 minutes ago, AD18 said:

Hi all,

Thanks very much for the advice, @MONDEO TXS 2.2 , @Eric Bloodaxe , @RAIDER32 for what is my first post on this forum and as a newbie to Ford!

I must say, this is new terrirory for me dealing with cars that seem to have been made from the parts bin and with specs changing from year to year, it's baffling to get my head around all the changes!

I think I'll take the advice here to try find one with a reversing camera spec'd from factory. The instrument dash layout is a puzzling one. If I were to buy an approved used car from Ford, could I request that it has the latest software installed as part of the deal? Or, have times moved on since my last car purchase and software is all done OTA rather than at the dealer now? I suppose buying a Focus elsewhere then bringing it to Ford will incur a charge for updating software?

I've noticed that 2025 ST-Line X's no longer have the leather seats!? This seems to align with the current configurator which only lists fabric seats as an option...another end of line tweak?

@Eric Bloodaxe Thanks for the price list. I notice ST-Line X has been replaced by ST Line X Edition. Do you know much about the differences?

From what I gather, I think a late 2024 ST Line X should have the leather and possibly the updated dash software. I just need to look out for a low mileage one with all the options.

The salesman showed me a HJ reg car on site which he said were cars built for managers at Ford HQ so are often highly optioned. It had a steering wheel icon as one of the buttons by the cruise control and he said it allows you to take your hands off the wheel and it'll steer for you. The other salesman said there is no autonomous driving feature on Fords haha 😵‍💫. Any idea what that feature was? From the options list I think I saw that adaptive cruise (if that's what that was) is only on autos. If that's the case I'll no longer look out for that as I'm after a manual.

I know manufacturers don't produce hard copy brochures anymore but is there an electronic one for the Focus so I can read more about the car's various features?

Many thanks!

Ford and other manufacturers have always made the last of production run vehicles from all sorts of options, in the very old days we called them " bitzers " ( bits & pieces ) 😉

As I previously stated, a highly optioned one can be currently purchased for sensible money.

Good luck with your search for your new Focus.👍

44 minutes ago, AD18 said:

I notice ST-Line X has been replaced by ST Line X Edition. Do you know much about the differences?

"Edition" has popped in and out over the years so I've lost track tbh. It was used during Covid/chip shortage/Ukraine crisis to indicate "not quite normal spec" for example.

End of production cars are always tricky. Sometime they've been highly specced as Mark says, others (such as the last Fiestas) are missing all sorts of stuff!

I think that price list I linked was the last literature on Fords site - it still seems to be there but no brochure - they did do an e-brochure as you suggest but the last was some while back.

You can download a handbook here which might help identify symbols on buttons if the salesperson doesn't know!

https://www.ford.co.uk/support/vehicle/focus-2018-2026/2026/owner-manuals

PS: I dont know how much you've looked at the wider market or what your more general requirements are, but a manual Focus restricts you to a 125ps 1.0 triple. Probably worth a test drive before deciding, given what you've had previously?

18 hours ago, RAIDER32 said:

In late 2024 Sync 4 got a software update changing the layout style (same driver mode colours)
I don't think earlier cars have had the option to update yet, I've had mine a year.

Hi, just so I understand, after the software update you received which of the three general layout screenshots in my first post do you now have? The '2025' one?

Thanks

On 5/3/2026 at 5:29 PM, AD18 said:

Hi, just so I understand, after the software update you received which of the three general layout screenshots in my first post do you now have? The '2025' one?

Thanks

Only late 2024 cars from factory have the 'new' screens, I've seen no update to change layout,
Top 2 pics are the new layout, the bottom dark blue one is my older normal mode.
I wish I could update mine to the new layout but I'm not sure it's possible, unless Ford say otherwise.
I read ST tuning companies had trouble 'breaking' the new late 2024 software.

On 5/3/2026 at 2:38 PM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

PS: I dont know how much you've looked at the wider market or what your more general requirements are, but a manual Focus restricts you to a 125ps 1.0 triple. Probably worth a test drive before deciding, given what you've had previously?

My manual 1.0 is 155ps and all the ST-Line X should be,
in my heavy urban environment this 1.0 155ps does a great job, and I previously had a MK3 ST 2.0 250ps.
I've used 2 hire cars this past year, a Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C3, my 1.0 was a lot faster.

20 minutes ago, RAIDER32 said:

My manual 1.0 is 155ps and all the ST-Line X should be,

Looks like you got one of the last 155 manuals.

Not sure of the exact date of change in production, but from the 15 August 2023 price list the 155 has been shown as DCT only on all versions.

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Looks like you got one of the last 155 manuals.

Not sure of the exact date of change in production, but from the 15 August 2023 price list the 155 has been shown as DCT only on all versions.

Well that's a silly move from Ford, I might have though twice about buying a 125ps,
The ST-Line X seems far less 'sporty' or special with same power as everything else manual.

21 minutes ago, RAIDER32 said:

Well that's a silly move from Ford

They did the same on the Puma, the Fiesta having being dropped altogether by then.

Possibly part of the general trend away from manual, but there's also a theory that it was not unconnected to the failure rate of manuals on MHEV cars - quite a few threads on here about that.

As far as I understand Ford stopped offering the 155 HP EcoBoost Hybrid with the MX65 6-Speed manual transmission due to many transmission problems. On this engine/transmission combination a large number of transmissions failed. The 155 HP version turned out to be too powerful for the MX65 transmission that has been developed to be cost effective to manufacture instead of being durable and strong. The MX65 can only handle 215 Nm of torque which turned out to be insufficient for the 155 HP EcoBoost Hybrid. Despite reducing torque in the lower gears many of these transmissions did still fail.

In my opinion the 7-Speed Powershift automatic (Getrag/Magna 7DCT300) is a much better transmission for the 155 HP EcoBoost Hybrid. It is capable to handle 320 mm of torque (in accordance to the Getrag/Magna documentation) which is more than sufficient for this engine.

10 Days ago I test drove a Puma with the 155 HP EcoBoost Hybrid and the 7-Speed Powershift transmission (for a relative). I was actually surprised how well this combination drove and performed. In my opinion the 7-Speed Powershift is a huge step forward compared to the older Powershift transmissions and the 6/8 Speed torque converter automatic transmissions.

59 minutes ago, JW1982 said:

Getrag/Magna DCT 300

MINI are also using the same transmission having dropped manuals from their remaining ICE range.