Ford Focus Estate 1.6 Zetec
Family carrier finally arrives in the UK – and proves to be just as good to drive as hatch
Ford has succeeded in making an estate version of the Focus that feels virtually identical to the hatch. Inside, it’s quiet and comfortable – a perfect match for the load carrier’s more grown-up feel. The extra boot space is a welcome addition, but the price difference is significant considering the practical gains are marginal. Still, despite these minor criticisms, the Focus Estate is a fantastic family car.
The Ford Focus just got added family appeal. An estate model has joined the range – so after we drove the most powerful petrol hatch in Issue 1,170, this week we visit the other end of
the performance spectrum and try the carrier on UK roads.
At 4,556mm, the newcomer is 198mm longer than the standard hatch, allowing for 476 litres of boot space – that’s 113 litres more than the five-door. Fold the rear seats down and there’s a completely flat 1,502-litre area.
The wheelbase is identical, so passengers in the back won’t find any extra room. That’s not really a problem, though, as the rear is already spacious enough for tall adults to sit in.
While the longer body boosts practicality, it doesn’t severely impair the Focus’s looks. The front end is identical to the hatch, while the roofline is extended and the tailgate drops off steeply.
More reviews
A rear spoiler and chrome roof rails are fitted as standard, while the clever hidden fuel-filler cap of the hatch version has now been replaced by a more obvious unit.
Our model came in Zetec spec, which sits lower down the Focus pecking order than the upmarket Titanium and Titanium X models. The door trim features a hard, scratchy plastic, but that’s the only complaint we have with the futuristic interior, which makes competitors’ cabins look dated and dull in comparison.
Despite being larger than the hatch, the estate is only 26kg heavier, so performance is near identical. Under the bonnet of our car was a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre unit with 123bhp, which delivered a 0-62mph sprint time of 11.1 seconds. The car never feels quick, and we missed the fizz of the turbocharged EcoBoost engines, but it will be enough for most drivers and it’s quiet on the move. The downside is the limited torque output – with only 159Nm on tap, you need to apply plenty of revs before pulling away.
The estate handles just as capably as the hatch, with strong body control and smooth but responsive steering. The 16-inch alloys make the ride comfortable and save it from some of the harshness that comes from hitting potholes on larger rims.
Our biggest gripe is that the price for the added practicality is £1,100, which means our car starts from £18,600. As the standard Focus is already an expensive proposition, it’s worth considering how much you value the extra 113 litres of boot space.
