Ford Focus 2014: video review

The Ford Focus, doesn't exactly ooze forecourt appeal, but it has always impressed out on the test drive. 

However, having a great chassis isn't enough these days. To impress people, a modern family hatchback has to be stylish, economical, luxurious and packed full of the latest technology. And the MK3 Focus was starting to feel a bit lacking in these areas.

That's why Ford has given the Focus one of the most extensive mid-life updates in history, while retaining the same starting price of £13,995. The most obvious change is to the looks. The car now gets the Aston Martin-esque grille and sleeker headlamps like the Fiesta. The rear has been given similar treatment with new bumpers and new light clusters. 

There's a punchy new 1.5-litre turbo petrol which can return over 50mpg and a 1.5-litre diesel which can do 74mpg and emits under 100g/km CO2 so is free from road tax.

The existing 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol, which is one of the best, if not the best engine of its kind on the market is still available, too. In higher power 125bhp guise it has just about enough performance for a car of this size and Ford says it can do over 60mpg.

One of the biggest challenges ford has faced with the Focus was trying to make it feel as upmarket inside as a Volkswagen Golf. All but the entry level car has a new 8-inch touchscreen system which not only looks good, but is easier to operate than the old system which had a confusing array of buttons. There's also the new SYNC system which has a much better array of useful voice commands and is easier to use.

Refinement has been improved, and the suspension has been changed to make it more cushioning over bumps. The steering is slightly sharper over the previous model, too. 

So then, as before the Focus is a car which will impress on the test drive. Importantly, the improvements to the looks, technology, economy and the quality, are clear and so the new Ford Focus is now more likely to impress people on the forecourt too.