4. Ford Focus RS
Pushing the envelope further, the Focus RS debuted in the USA in 2016 as the first factory-sold American hot hatch with all-wheel drive. Beneath its aggressive hood vent lay a potent version of the turbo-charged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder—336 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane. With selectable drift mode and a dynamic torque-vectoring AWD system, the RS could fling itself into corners sideways and still put power down effectively.
A six-speed manual transmission connected engine and asphalt directly, making shifts feel tactile and precise. Though more expensive than its ST sibling, the RS’s combination of high-revving turbo power and rally-inspired handling made it America’s go-to four-cylinder performance hatch of its era.