Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi diesel review

£24,000!!!! Complete Rip Off!

It also looks rubbish and has an undesirable badge to justify such an asking price!

By JTravolta77 on 14 January, 2011, 7:43am

Overpriced and Bland

Who do Ford think they are? The germans?

Dont get me wrong still looks better than a Golf, 1 Series and the A3. The interior is something the germans could really learn something from, shame ford couldnt carry it on on the outside too though.

It just goes to show you dont have to have an up its own backside badge like a BMW or Audi to overcharge for cars though.

By AndyG on 14 January, 2011, 12:26pm

TTravolta77 - Undesirable badge! What the hell does that matter. You have just shon the world you know absolutely nothing about cars. AndyG - Who do they think they are, the Germans. Er they probably do. The Focus like all Fords is designed and engineered in Germany and built at Saarlouis in the Rhineland!

By hampson10 on 14 January, 2011, 12:44pm

Design failure

What a ghastly looking car! Looks like a cheap Korean import.

Someone at Ford should be fired for this EPIC FAIL!

By Cinqster on 14 January, 2011, 2:28pm

Dull

Overwrought styling both inside and out and a price that's risible.

All new cars drive well, but competitors look both more stylish and cost far less. Good news for the Koreans methinks!

By Alexan14 on 14 January, 2011, 2:36pm

Grossly Overpriced

I know this car is top of the range and has all the bells and whistles on it but £28k for a Ford Focus? I've just bought a Merc C-Class 220 CDI Elegance with extras for £28.5k - guess which will be worth more in 3 year's time? I could have bought a Volvo S60 SE Lux for the price of this Focus - ridiculous. Surely the Focus should be priced against it's main competitor - the VW Golf? I thought Ford had learnt its lesson about pricing. With this kind of pricing Ford clearly think the Focus is in the next class up. Whether purchasers will feel the same is another matter. I daresay the lower level trim Focuses are a whole lot cheaper - they better had be or not many will be sold.

By Bristolbluemanc on 14 January, 2011, 2:40pm

Ugly....another ugly

Another ugly, squashed looking claustrophobic computer designed car. I'm sure it is very good, but it is a lot of money to sit in a traffic jam 90% of its' life

By yellowbear on 14 January, 2011, 2:44pm

Nuf....Nuf....nuf said!!!

Its kinda amazing how things that look sooo ugly alawys tend to give the nicest ride...don't you think? ;-) Unforgiven......i was praying that this car never makes production but seemingly its here. The front bumper, even when trying to look at it from an upside down perspective, trying to gauge what picasso design perspective was the deigner looking from......all i can think of, is that the designer must have been a sabotuer unknownly working for VW but hired by Ford and the key idea to sabotage the selling brand, has to be! There's no doubt in my mind that inside the car would be marvelous and pleasur but it would be the kind of car you always park front against the wall. What a tussy roll!

By kevolution1 on 14 January, 2011, 3:02pm

P.S its so ugly that i wouldn't like to look at it even if someonelse was driving it....

By kevolution1 on 14 January, 2011, 3:04pm

Cheap Korean?

The clever Koreans would have designed this car a few years ago - but they are now producing cars that do not look like Korean cars - whereas Ford now do.

And as for that "strong design" from Ford - have you seen a Mondeo recently?

By simon9350 on 14 January, 2011, 3:14pm

4-door saloon

And will we be allowed to buy the four-door version or is Ford continuing to say, to its UK customers, 'like it or lump it with the hatchback'?

By DerekGBevan on 14 January, 2011, 3:16pm

Not a looker?

I hope it looks better in the metal. The inside looks great, but the exterior looks very fussy, with nothing like the elegance of the Fiesta which seems to have been its inspiration.

And why do Ford seem to fit the most obtrusive parking sensors possible. They look like buttons sewn on a home-made cardigan!

By spindler1955 on 14 January, 2011, 3:46pm

Oh. DEAR.

Probably a good car, but, take a bit of Kia, a bit of Hyundai, a bit of Peugeot, a bit of Renault and charge BMW 3 Series prices!
A few years ago a Focus was a £14,000 car.
Anyone with no prejudice will buy an Octavia and get a quality car with a bigger body with the option of 4wd for a lot less money.

By hedgehopper on 14 January, 2011, 5:41pm

No, Not A Looker!!!!!!

I didn't like it when AE published the first pictures of it at one of the premier expos last year. These photos do very little to change that. The interior is nice, I will give it that, but this is just trying too hard to be one of the other cars in Ford's lineup. Think of a Kuga where the suspension has been dropped by about 2 feet. It is in effect, a squished Kuga to me and not a very good one at that. Everything has been fashioned on the current Fiesta but in all cases bar the Fiesta it just doesn't work. The Fiesta is a great looking car but that certainly cannot be said about this Focus. And 28 grand for a fully kitted out one!? Do me a favour, that's just taking the piss! Ok, so lesser models won't be that expensive but they won't have that kit available either. For 28k I could have a half decent A4 and get the kit thrown in for nothing. Someone else said they could get an S60 for the same kind of money, point made I think as well as the gent who has just bought a Merc C class. If people buy this Focus, then they clearly have more money than sense and are just playing into Ford's hands, but then again they WILL buy it and that's what makes this so sad.

By nick7 on 14 January, 2011, 5:58pm

PS

Would someone care to tell me what all those blips and caps are for all over the front of the car, and what the hell is the point of that crescent moon shape cut out over the badge?

By nick7 on 14 January, 2011, 5:59pm

Overpriced and ugly

I can't believe a Focus which is not RS will cost more than £20k? Its priced out of the value segment of the family hatch back sector.

Even more worrying is that dreadful rear end. i can see a facelift is already on the cards? this will hamper its already poor residuals more.

Although all this criticism, i can imagine the roads will be full of these cars. I prefer the more elegant looking Astra.

By f1moh on 14 January, 2011, 6:40pm

Get off the stage!

I had one of the 1st Mk2 2.0 tdci titanuims back in 2005, had it for 16 months and it was off the road for 9 of them. I am not a fan of ford pathetic customer support (charged me £1500 for hire care while mine of the road!). Can't see this one being any better

By fastpep1 on 14 January, 2011, 7:24pm

Amazed

I think they have turned the Focus from a swan into an ugly duckling. So bland! I had the original Focus and I cannot believe how they have gone from the brave amazing design to this.

By glennamy on 14 January, 2011, 8:02pm

Awful, bland and no doubt a top seller

This is hideous, by far the blandest family car now available. Even the Koreans are now ahead in the style stakes. Why would you buy this when you could have a Kia Ceed for thousands less with a better warranty, probably better built and drives and handles better than any family could ever hope to need. Why are the motoring press so obsessed with the Focus's driving dynamics? Who the he'll drives these things? Lewis Hamilton and the stig? It's a family hatch that'll spend more time in a tesco car park than anywhere else. I've never been a great fan of ford design but this takes blandness to an all new level.

By JamesRiley on 14 January, 2011, 8:42pm

Padre

What a blast from the past! Has Ford hired the whole Kia design team?

By Padre on 14 January, 2011, 8:51pm

Hideous and overpriced

What on earth are Ford smoking to have come up with this? The Focus started off an awesome looking hatchback, then in 2002 it had a slight facelift, still looked good, then out came a toned down version in 2005, and then Ford messed with the looks again, now they've come up with a hideous creation and as tested here is £28k!! Get out of it! I drive a Jag and it cost less than that. Anyone that spends 28k on a Focus that isn't 4wd 200+ BHP and makes your dinner for you needs a health check. Buy a Mercedes like the chap above did or a Jaguar!

By Kingbob12 on 14 January, 2011, 9:28pm

Looks like a Kia, has none of the crispness and originality the mk1 had. Having driven 2 mk2 variants on regular basis (1.4 petrol and 1.6 tdci 110), none of them felt like a class leader other than ride and handling, which were absolutely five star. They were noisy, the cabin was cheaply made especially the door cards and seat fabric, there was a gap of about 10mm where the dashboard met the door, they were noisy on the motorway and they felt flimsily built, especially those lightweigh doors... Hope they addressed those areas on the mk3, because the steering/gearbox/pedals/ride/handling were fan-tas-tic! As for autoexpress claim that 'no family car has ever been so capable of stepping on the toes of premium models', may I remind you of the Fiat Stilo, whose equipment tally could only be surpassed by a Mercedes S-Class... Well, we all know how unloved that car was and how poorly it sold. So, Ford beware! And 53.3mpg from a 2.0 diesel these days is nothing special, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, BMW, VW, Vauxhall all give more power and lower fuel consumption. In short, Ford as usual : mediocrity plus 10%

By ganthopoulos on 14 January, 2011, 9:46pm

Depp

Incredibly kind of stupid here and frustrated comments there! Ford Focus has been on many matters by far the best car in its class and comparisons with post-communist Skoda or premium Mercedes are meaningless. Ford can not be cutting-edge technology and equipment to sell for free just because some bastard individuals to expect. This car is worth the money for it requires. England, wake up, this is not a KIA or Renault.

By Depp500 on 15 January, 2011, 11:39am

top tip

Ford have yet another winner.......
This will be the best selling car of 2011....
With that in mind i guess the ford design team have got everything right!!!!!

By markshark on 15 January, 2011, 12:35pm

Overpriced?

@ Bristolbluemanc

By quintilian on 15 January, 2011, 2:26pm

@Depp

You must work for Ford or be a Ford loyalist! I think youre the stupid one here, The Focus is in no way the best in it's class anymore! Rivals have caught up rapidly and now match the Ford Focus on dynamics! Let's look at reality here, Ford isn't a Prestige Badge so why is Ford Charging BMW, Mercedes sort of prices, it's just pathetic! To top it up, the Design/Styling is certainly not worthy of the price because it's just too poor and awful. Depp, people just won't accept mediocrity anymore especially now that there is so much alternatives and choices to Ford nowadays!

By JTravolta77 on 15 January, 2011, 5:02pm

cloeb4

why is it when ford or the germans come along everythn is excellent...when the citroen c4 was launched it got a bad press....just seems that a bit biast to me.....

By cloeb4 on 15 January, 2011, 6:17pm

Reply to cloeb4

Well i think, its because Auto express are owned by the same clowns that own What HI Fi. therefore if the Manufacture is prepared to give a big enough backhander, they will write anything they want about their product for em?

By fastpep1 on 15 January, 2011, 9:37pm

Toommy

Sorry but a some of the earlier posts are rather uninformed and are only concerned with the badge rather than the car!
Whats premium about German Brands - I remember when BMWs were a joke and made bubble cars
Often "German" brands are made in other countries - does a BMW made in the US make it a "Yank tank"?
All this hoo ha and all the oil bits for your upmarket car come from the same suppliers as your cheap "common" brands.
I like this car but admit I'm a little disapointed at the price -OK, you may say its because its the titanium model but I'd be happy with a zeter 180bhp- having said that why do ALL companies charge so much more for turning the "wick"

By Teifion2 on 16 January, 2011, 1:15pm

as I was saying

why is this web site showing not responding every few minutes this PM - as I was trying to say turning the wick up i.e slight fiddle to the ECU (Its not even as though there are stronger/bigger clutches , dampers or brakes to justify the thousands is it?)

By Teifion2 on 16 January, 2011, 1:19pm

Puke-a-thon...

I guess because most fleet and private buyers looking for mid-sized hatchbacks don't bother to venture further afield than the Blue Oval and Griffin badges, Vauxhall are about to do rather well at Fords expense...

By the way guys, I must apologise. This car was a fetching shade of blue until I vomited all over it. It truly is hideous...

By sgtgrash on 16 January, 2011, 8:36pm

The new Focus in one word?

YUK!!!!!!

By Carmad3 on 17 January, 2011, 6:57am

Good news for GOLF

I do hope VW has written a thank you letter to Ford for coming up with this ugly duckling.
It is truly awful.
I would be ashamed to be seen in it

By Carmad3 on 17 January, 2011, 7:01am

Good news for ALFA ROMEO @ Carmad3

Just like Alfa did to VW for making the golf so bland and uninspiring to drive and now making the golf maybe 3rd best in its class (maybe even 4th) behind the Guiletta and Astra (and even the 1 series)

By AndyG on 17 January, 2011, 1:03pm

I've been waiting for the new Fucus...

...but I've wasted my time, so off to the Vauxhall garage it is to get a far more attractive Astra.

Nice one Ford designers, you've lost the blue oval a sale.

By GearHunter on 18 January, 2011, 10:27am

Wow!

Amazing piece of technology in a family car!

By dillinghamp on 18 January, 2011, 10:27am

FAIL....FAIL.....PLUS FAIL

Amazing how when this monster was first shown, the deisgner's failed to yield this car. Like i said before .....FAREWELL to FORD, its been a nice journey painful and filled with joy and dissapointment. I never did mind the little oil squits, as that's wht cars are about. I think the best thing one can do now is trying to order the ST MK2 version with an updated Mk3 interior plus engine (2.0T) as this car isn't gonna cut it, if at all possible. But with this car already proves anything is possible. Otherwise its all FAIL!!! Failed promise to deliver a shoe shine...

It's ALL FAIL just like this website failed to promote a healthy discussion forum on the comments. There's absolutely nothing to keep you informed of the threads on the subject you posted on....that really sucks! Its 2011 get with the program AE.

By kevolution1 on 18 January, 2011, 11:04am

FAIL....FAIL.....PLUS FAIL

Amazing how when this monster was first shown, the deisgner's failed to yield this car. Like i said before .....FAREWELL to FORD, its been a nice journey painful and filled with joy and dissapointment. I never did mind the little oil squits, as that's wht cars are about. I think the best thing one can do now is trying to order the ST MK2 version with an updated Mk3 interior plus engine (2.0T) as this car isn't gonna cut it, if at all possible. But with this car already proves anything is possible. Otherwise its all FAIL!!! Failed promise to deliver a shoe shine...

It's ALL FAIL just like this website failed to promote a healthy discussion forum on the comments. There's absolutely nothing to keep you informed of the threads on the subject you posted on....that really sucks! Its 2011 get with the program AE.

By kevolution1 on 18 January, 2011, 11:05am

Crazy price

Why do Ford continually do this? - stupid list prices which nobody pays - dealers will just wipe £5k off the price just for asking them.

Sadly, company car drivers are often forced into taking a Focus, then get absolutely hammered by the tax-man, as they'll be paying tax on the £24k list price, not the £14k their lease company buys them for.

By Alfa33 on 18 January, 2011, 5:27pm

What an ugly car.

Well, that is another good design out of the window! First the Mondeo is replaced by a boring Mazda 626 lookalike, then the cute Ka is replaced by a forgettable nothing car, now the best car in the range has been replaced by another Asian lookalike - except that the Asians look better than this nowadays!

By pajbse on 18 January, 2011, 8:30pm

Gear stick

What is it with the gear lever, to close to A/C controls, looooool; this car will be disaster.

By Tazio on 18 January, 2011, 8:53pm

And DESPITE it's obvious ugliness....

...People will, no doubt, buy this 'plug' in huge volumes - but WHY? Aside from the very bland and disjointed design, it should be remembered that after a relatively short time this car will STILL be plug-ugly ...and at that stage will be worth little too! What business or private buyer has so much money that they can afford to incur such losses? Getting back to the styling; with the talent and design team(s) Ford has at it's disposal, why is it so lacking originality? The front end is akin to an excercise in how to incorporate every awkward shapes. It is a mish-mash of an oversized grille, Audi-esque slots in the lower edge of the bumper, triangles, oval shapes incorporating round fog-lights, a (stupid-looking) cut-out on the bonnet edge above the Ford badge, the peculiar shaped headlights, the un-original looking (Astra?) side profile, horrendously styled rear lights & etc. BUT PLEASE! Do yourself a favour: If you are going to buy one, avoid the metallic yellow like the plague if you hope to recoup any money come the day you part-exchange it!

By ceebeegeebee on 22 January, 2011, 10:37am

Not sure on this one?

I prefer the astra to this new focus. The looks are too dull, and the price is just way out for it to be classed as affordable. But no matter what anyone says, it will as usual sell more than lemonade on a hot summers day.
Ford you need to up your game alot better than this!!!

By hotwheels21 on 2 February, 2011, 11:04am

FABULOUS

Have been on a test drive, the Focus is better than anything else in its class, and have now ordered the Titanium X model

By brantony on 26 February, 2011, 1:41pm

People moaning at the price. If you spec a Golf to the same standard, you can get it to £40,000! £12,000 more than the Focus.
I have had every model of the Focus up to yet, but I will be giving this one a miss. I was looking forward to something really different and special. All that has appeared is a generic, boring, dull looking car.

Sorry Ford. You have done yourselves no favors with this at all. It may drive best in class, but people will go for looks first. There are far better looking cars out there in this class, and people will but the alternatives. I think Ford have shot themselves in the foot, and I for one think it is a real shame.

By Tazfan2 on 3 March, 2011, 10:50am

Damn it's ugly!

You gotta drive that with the cover on.

By sasander on 24 March, 2011, 8:56am

Double Damn it's not half bad!

OK, the aesthetics of the back end have gone very slightly awry IMHO, but OMG if some of you are so traumatised by the looks overall, then you mustn't have to travel far to be offended! Also, the mock indignation about price is totally irrelevant as we all know Ford's RRP bears no relation to real life - just 1 year down the line and brand new £28k RRP Ford Focuses (Foci?) will be rolling off the forecourt for three-quarters the price. No, I'm not currently a Ford driver, but what you have here seems like a sound product being greeted by the traditional clamouring of the rabble who disparage anything new, then sing its praises some years downstream when the next new version comes along.

By FloatingVoter on 14 April, 2011, 2:18pm

Its amazing how on the internet you only find people slagging off any new product. Look at the ipad before it was release it was slated by internet forums to be absolutely rubbish and total failure but on the contrary it was and still is a runaway success. The same goes for many cars including many new BMWs and Mercs and now this Focus. The fact is that all of these products have proved to be fantastic in design and use or else they would not be the success they are today.

Yes sure Ford charges alot of money for the top spec model however you dont have to spend as much and the starting price is just £15000 and that is before dealer discounts which Ford are so famous for.

The fact that Ford have made it possible to have so much tech is a average family hatch is just amazing and that is something you can have if you are prepared to pay fot it and want it.

As for the styling sure it may not be everyones cup of tea but same was said initially about the BMW 5 6 and 7 series with the 6 and 7 heavily criticised by Jeremy Clarkson who then a few years later admitted that he had second thoughts and actually begining to like the

By Silverstarcars on 8 June, 2011, 6:32pm

Now & Then

This is what you get for what you pay for lads ...Looks I agree but what about the new Technologies & Options ? want those for Free too ?? Its like good ole Ford Anglia in those days when they came out Yaaak ! Yahhh what about now beuatiful yeah !?! wait 30 years it may just look nice for those who don't like it now.

Just test drive it first b4 commenting, coz I have and its good !

e21cjn
Aug 19, 2011

By E21CJN on 19 August, 2011, 6:41am

Now & Then

This is what you get for what you pay for lads ...Looks I agree but what about the new Technologies & Options ? want those for Free too ?? Its like good ole Ford Anglia in those days when they came out Yaaak ! Yahhh what about now beuatiful yeah !?! wait 30 years it may just look nice for those who don't like it now.

Just test drive it first b4 commenting, coz I have and its good !

e21cjn
Aug 19, 2011

By E21CJN on 19 August, 2011, 6:41am