Mazda 3 vs. Ford Focus

The Ford Focus has been a fixture at the top of the sales league table for more than a decade. Practical, great to drive and cheap to run, the family hatch has understandably won hundreds of thousands of fans.

However, a succession of price rises and the arrival of a host of talented rivals have left it looking expensive and outdated. For instance, the most popular model in the line-up – the 1.6-litre petrol Zetec – will set you back an eye-watering £18,637. For a saving of £1,906, you could get the keys to a Mazda 3 1.6-litre Sport instead.

What makes the Japanese car even more tempting is the fact it shares its underpinnings with the Ford. Not that you’d know that from looking at the rakish exterior. The 3 takes design cues from the RX-8 coupé and MX-5 roadster, and is one of the most stylish family hatchbacks you can buy. Its aggressive nose, bulging wheelarches and rising waistline provide plenty of kerb appeal – and the shape is a far cry from the conservative Ford.

Inside, Mazda’s designers have been equally bold. The dials are heavily cowled, plus there’s a Honda Civic-style split-level instrument layout and a sweeping centre console. Fit and finish are excellent, while the extensive use of soft-touch plastics boosts the quality feel.

There’s plenty of space, too – as much as in the Focus – although the 340-litre load area trails by 45 litres with the seats in place.

Sport versions of the Mazda compensate with a longer list of standard kit than the Ford. Cruise control and Bluetooth are included – you’ll pay £358 extra to get this on the Focus – as is automatic air-con and a powerful Bose sound system. All versions of the 3 come with electronic stability control, remote locking and a useful trip computer.

As with the Ford, there’s a wide range of engines to choose from. Entry-level models get the smooth and keen 103bhp 1.6-litre, while the Focus RS-rivalling MPS packs a 256bhp 2.3-litre turbo. And diesel fans are spoiled for choice by a line-up that includes a 2.2-litre unit delivering 183bhp.

The Focus is famed for its sharp handling, but the Mazda is just as entertaining to drive.

It shares a similar suspension set-up, and has great poise and agility through corners. Better still, its precise steering and short-throw gearshift have clearly been influenced by the MX-5. The only black mark on the 3’s dynamic package is the limited refinement. But a family car has to appeal to the head as well as the heart – and the Mazda achieves this.

Not only does it cost much less to buy than the Focus, it will be worth more come resale time. Our Sport example is set to hold on to 40.5 per cent of its value over three years – or £6,776. Over the same period, the Ford retains a poor 31.4 per cent, and will be worth only £5,852.

The Mazda is stylish, practical, fun to drive and great value, so it’s an excellent Focus substitute.

Ford Focus- the UK's 2nd biggest seller
It’s still a great choice, yet raft of price hikes threatens Ford’s position at the top of the tree

Small family cars from Ford have always been big sellers – even when the firm was still offering the off-the-pace, last-generation Escort.

The Focus deserves to be a hit, though, because it’s such an incredibly polished and capable machine. Rewarding to drive and practical to live with, the latest model is a fine family choice – but you need to secure a generous discount to make the sums add up.

Ford’s high prices are bad news from the start, while the car’s huge popularity comes at the expense of resale values, which are low compared to rivals.

So while owners face fairly reasonable bills for maintenance and servicing, depreciation is the hidden cost of running a new Focus – and makes it an expensive choice in this sector.