Old Vs. New: The Key Changes

With around 640,000 Focus drivers on the roads in Britain, it's clear that the launch of the new car is a momentous moment. But how does it stack up when compared to its much loved predecessor, and should the advances made by the new machine have current Focus owners reaching into their wallets to put down deposits for this latest evolution?

Auto Express Car Reviews

01st September 2004

There's no doubt that the original Focus sent shockwaves through the showrooms when it debuted in 1998. In short, it was a sensation, for here was a car that offered new levels of driver appeal, design sharpness and desirability. Today, the hatchback sector has moved on leaps and bounds, and nearly every car in the class has improved significantly over the years.

So is the new Focus much better than its predecessor? The answer is in the detail. Some fans of the current car might say it's lacking new design ideas, but alongside the outgoing Focus it appears fresh and modern, with a feeling of solidity the previous car can't match. It is longer and wider, too, and slightly taller, although this is barely noticeable with the two side-by-side.

But it's inside where the differences are most significant. If one major criticism could be levelled at the outgoing Focus, it would be that the cabin lacked the space, practicality and build quality of some rivals. Ford has gone to town with the newcomer, and the result is an interior with much more in the way of refinement and passenger comfort.

Anyone used to the driving position of a Focus will find that the supportive seat, intuitive controls and clearly laid out cabin are still there, but in a package which has a feeling of greater quality and offers even more space. The original car's brittle, shiny plastic switches have been swapped for softer, better damped items, while the new model feels much more spacious.

And as for those legendary dynamics? Well, we have already sampled the new Focus's platform in the C-MAX and Volvo S40/V50, and been suitably impressed. We'll deliver our full verdict in issue 824. One thing is for certain, though: while Ford needs the Focus to maintain its sales success, the challenge the new car faces looks certain to be tougher than ever. Can it deliver? Craig Cheetham

Spotting The Difference...

Rear End: The biggest chance for the Focus is its aggressive rear profile. With a low, sleek roofline, the hatch is more aerodynamic than the model it replaces, while high, slim tail-lamps stamp the Focus trademark on the car.

Centre Console: The cabin represents a big leap forward. The original Focus's much criticised dash has been replaced by a high-quality ergonomic unit which rivals that of VW's Golf, and a Sony stereo system completes the look.

Engines: While Zetec petrol units are the lynchpin of the current Focus, potent TDCi diesels - a 107bhp 1.6 and a 134bhp 2.0-litre - will lead the way in the new car. The wide range of petrol engines will eventually be topped by a V6.

Boot: Smart packaging has ensured there's no wheelarch intrusion, and with a larger boot than the current car, plus an external boot release not present on the existing Focus, the newcomer is set to top the class for practicality.

Safety: A new lightweight survival cell has been developed with Volvo. Advanced passive safety systems, as well as four airbags as standard, mean the car should perform better than its predecessor in Euro NCAP crash tests.