Ford Focus

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £11,288 to £19,942
• For : Drivability best in class, smart cabin, great kit levels
• Against : Better-looking rivals, small boot, expensive desirable options

The Ford Focus is now in its third-generation. It comes with a new chassis, a host of hi-tech gadgetry usually seen on luxury limos plus a brilliant new turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine. It’s great to drive, really refined and spacious enough, while quality has also taken a leap forward. But a VW Golf has a bigger boot and will still hold on to more of its value. Currently there are two bodystyles to choose from – five-door hatchback or estate. 

Our pick: 1.6 TDCI (113) Zetec

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Ford Focus

Styling

Looks aren’t a strong point of the Ford Focus. The overall shape is neat, but the detailing lets it down – those triangular air intakes at the front are awkward and the huge gap between the badge and the bonnet looks odd. It gets better at the rear, while some bright new colours and a wide mix of alloy wheel designs help, but the MkIII Focus is not one of Ford’s best designs. The VW Golf is more handsome and the SEAT Leon more flamboyant.

Interior

This is where the Focus has really moved on. The new cabin gets cool blue lighting, a neat piano black-covered centre console, smart dials and very high quality materials and switchgear – although some might find the over-buttoned design a bit confusing. It’s easy to get comfortable with reach and rake steering, plus plenty of seat adjustment. All cars get air-con and alloys, and there's also a few option packs that add gadgets such as lane departure warning, automatic parking, automatic cruise control and road sign recognition.

Driving and Performance

The Focus has got progressively softer over the years, but this latest version is still the best to drive in its class – it's more fun than a VW Golf and miles ahead of a Vauxhall Astra – thanks to accurate steering and an agile chassis. It also boasts a true ‘big car’ feel, being quiet at high speed, and offering a firm, but still comfortable ride. The engine line-up is wide with 1.6-litre petrol units ranging from 104bhp to 180bhp and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels ranging from 95bhp to 161bhp. Of these, the new 148bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol is fast and returns more than 47mpg, but it's costly. The 113bhp 1.6 TDCI Zetec is better value and will return 67mpg.

MPG and running costs

Ford has worked hard to reduce weight in the latest Focus, in spite of all the extra kit and improved safety it offers. Allied to the new engine range, that has paid off in terms of efficiency. Every single Focus emits less than 140g/km of CO2, while a road tax and congestion charge exempt sub-99g/km Econetic model is due soon. The most efficient car in the current line-up is the 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel, which does 109g/km and returns 67.3mpg. While fuel and tax bills should be low, it’s worth bearing in mind a Volkswagen Golf - which is as efficient, if not more - will be worth more on the second hand market.

Practicality

The five-door hatchback has plenty of room for passengers, with much more headroom and legroom for those in the rear than before – we reckon you really could travel with a pair of six-foot rear passengers sitting behind similarly-sized front occupants. However, boot space is poor. With just 316 litres, the Focus has less room than its predecessor and falls behind the Vauxhall Astra by 54 litres. That said, the rear bench splits and folds flat easily. The Focus Estate has an extra 20cm of length added to the body which frees up an additional 160 litres of boot space. This increases to an adequate 1,502 litres once the rear seats have been folded away.

Safety and reliability

As the Focus is so new, it’s difficult to predict its reliability. Ford models have improved greatly in recent years, so we expect the new Focus to make very few visits to the local dealer. As for safety, the Focus has scored a full five stars from Euro NCAP thanks to front, side and curtain airbags as well as electronic systems such as the lane departure warning system. Anti-skid control and ABS are both fitted as standard.

Model Variants and Specifications

• Ford Focus Edge 1.6 Ti-VCT 105 PS £15995
• Ford Focus Edge 1.6 TDCi 95 PS £16995
• Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 Ti-VCT 105 PS £16995
• Ford Focus Edge 1.6 TDCi 115 PS £17495
• Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 Ti-VCT 125 PS £17495
• Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 TDCi 115 PS £18495
• Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 EcoBoost 150 PS £19745
• Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 TDCi 115 PS £19745
• Ford Focus Titanium X 1.6 EcoBoost 150 PS £21245
• Ford Focus Titanium X 1.6 TDCi 115 PS £21245
• Ford Focus Titanium X 2.0 TDCi 163 PS £22745
• Ford Focus Titanium X 2.0 TDCi 163 PS Powershift £23995