But the fact that the car can't get into a comfortable stride at 80mph is an issue regardless. I haven't driven a Fiesta ST, just relaying complaints straight from the owners. One thing I can say is that wasn't the case for the similarly-sized Polo GTI I rented 3 weeks ago, which of course isn't an option in this case.

Yep, that’s my driveway. Based on my non-scientific observations and complete lack of research, I’m going to say I’m the only person in the world to have both a Ford Fiesta ST and a Ford Focus RS. Well, okay. I’m a person in the world who has a Fiesta ST and a Focus RS, which makes me uniquely qualified to compare the two.“Hold up,” you might be saying. “Who compares a car that stickers for just over $23,000 with a car that runs $43,000 plus additional dealer markup?” (And yes, I know that you can get FiSTs for under $20,000 now. We’ll get to that.) Well, it’s not as crazy of a comparo as you might think.

In some ways, the comparison is unfair — to the Focus.

The Fiesta ST might land in the highest fun-per-dollar quotient of any car ever made. It’s the E30 M3 and the MK II GTI wrapped into one. It’s impossible to overstate just how great it is to drive. In fact, up until I bought the Focus, I was starting to get incredibly depressed about the thought of giving the Fiesta back in February, because there’s absolutely nothing else like it on the market. I had almost convinced myself to either buyout my lease or just buy a new FiST when I turned this one in.

However, as great as the Fiesta is, the Focus is a whole ‘nother ball of wax. To drive the Focus RS is to have the ability to launch yourself into any gap in traffic, no matter how small. And maybe it’s just because I live in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, but Nitrous Blue garners more attention and comments than my School Bus Yellow Boss 302 ever did. Like the Fiesta, there’s nothing else like it on the market — and no, the Golf R and the STI don’t count.

But, for a moment, let’s forget about how sublimely unique each of the Fords are, forget about what the window sticker says, and talk about how they actually measure up to each other.

Aesthetics: I think I’m being kind when I call the Fiesta ST a visual rollerskate. It’s not a pretty car, is it? While a certain quirky charm exists in the otherwise ridiculous spoiler and the honeycomb grille is a welcome replacement for the appliance-like face of the regular Fiesta hatch, it’s hard to think of the Fiesta as being anything better than “cute.”

The Focus, on the other hand, is a handsome car. It manages to evoke a visceral excitement in people, even those who aren’t necessarily sure of what it is. Nitrous Blue is the best paint color available on a mass-produced car, period. Advantage: FoRS

Interior: This one is closer than you’d think. Even though my Focus has leather-trimmed, heated Recaro seats and I opted not to get them in the Fiesta, I actually like the regular seats in the Fiesta a bit better. And while the Fiesta has less interior space than the Focus, it actually feels a little more spacious, especially when it comes to head and shoulder room. Neither interior is going to win any design awards, for sure. The Focus is a little nicer, but it’s not twice as nice, so I’m calling it a wash. Advantage: Tie

Infotainment: The Focus has SYNC 3 and the Fiesta doesn’t. That alone would be enough to give the nod to the FoRS — except that 2017 FiSTs have SYNC 3, as well. Neither stereo will satisfy audiophiles and my Focus’ “premium” 12-speaker audio system isn’t worth its premium price. Advantage: Tie

Acceleration: The Focus is faster from 0-60 mph than 90 percent of the cars of the road thanks to launch control and all-wheel drive. However, from 5-60, there’s not as much of a difference as you’d think between the Focus and Fiesta. The Focus feels a little slower than it actually is and the Fiesta feels a little faster than it actually is. Nevertheless, I can’t ignore statistics. Advantage: FoRS

Handling: Where the Focus’ handing capabilities shine are under acceleration and in mid-corner speed. The FoRS turns like a mid-engined supercar — the AWD, combined with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, makes it easy to stomp on the throttle at apex and just let it unwind. But the Fiesta is just so fun. How many front-wheel-drive cars have oversteer dialed in from the factory? Where the FoRS is understeer prone (yes, despite having Drift Mode), the FiST happily kicks the rear tires out and lets you steer with the gas. Torque-steer is ever-present with the Focus, especially if you’re changing elevation, but it’s virtually non-existent in the Fiesta. The FoRS has less drama, yes, but the FiST provides more grins. Advantage: FiST

Transmission: The Fiesta has the best shifter of any car I’ve ever driven, period. Heel/toes aren’t particularly easy, thanks to pedal positioning, but the **** just slides from gear to gear like butter. The Focus, on the other hand, reminds me of the unloved Getrag transmission from the Boss 302. It’s notchy and clunky, and the clutch isn’t particularly kind for street driving. It’s so heavy that it reminds me of the throttle on the cars from the Tomorrowland Speedway. Advantage: FiST

Track driving: The Fiesta may be the easiest car ever to drive on track. You can give the car full throttle at all times and it’s not ever going to get you in trouble. No, it’s not particularly fast, but it feels fast. Despite the joy you’ll get from the Fiesta, don’t expect to stay ahead of many cars in an HPDE session, especially in the straights.There’s no such problem with big brother. The Focus RS will stick its wide maw right up the posterior of cars with much more power and much higher sticker prices, thanks to the ability to stick any corner and rocket out of tight turns. It’s going to take something like a Camaro SS/Mustang GT to gap the FoRS. Even then, it will take a skilled driver. At an autocross, a well-sorted Focus will compete with S2000s and C5 Corvettes. There’s no comparison. Advantage: FoRS

Intangibles: Both cars are easy to love. The Fiesta is like a playful puppy dog who’s always happy to see you when you come home. It feels a bit like driving a toy car or go-kart, thanks to the lightweight body and responsive throttle. The Focus, on the other hand, requires your attention. It looks, sounds, and feels like motorsport. Despite being a C-Segment car, it doesn’t feel like a small car; more like driving a Mustang than a hatchback. I’m not sure if either car is “appropriate” for a man who’s less than a year shy of his 40th birthday, but the Focus feels a little more respectable. Advantage: Tie

So if we’re going just on the category wins, the Focus takes a slight win, 3 to 2 — but it’s not that simple. We can’t just ignore the fact you can buy two Fiestas for the price of one Focus. And thanks to current incentives, the Fiesta can now be had for less than $20,000 including destination. That’s crazy.

Since I’ve already had a Fiesta for the last two years, I wouldn’t recommend another one — for me, that is. I’m glad I got the Focus, and I’m looking forward to owning it for a long time. But for you? If you’re thinking about getting a Focus RS, go drive a Fiesta ST too, and ask yourself: is the Focus twice as good?