The Ford Focus is no stranger to pretty much every street in the country and this latest model confirms it is sure to remain a popular choice.
Sitting in the small family car segment of the market, against cars like the Vauxhall Astra, Renault Megane, and Volkswagen Golf, this latest Focus from Ford is available as a 5-door hatchback or 5-door Estate.
It’s as practical as a car of this size can be, and even comes in crossover guise, with lifted suspension, for those who seek a little more adventure. A total of ten trim levels keep keep your options very open, when buying.
Starting from £20,690 with a ‘Zetec’ you get 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, front fog lamps with cornering function, 8-inch touchscreen and app-link for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, sports style front seats, centre console with armrest, 3-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel with integrated audio controls, leather trimmed gear knob, cruise control, and a quick-clear heated windscreen with heated washer jets.
A ‘Titanium’ starts from £22,690 and on this you get a navigation system, FordPass connect, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, rear centre armrest with cup holder, ambient cabin lighting, LED rear lights, rain sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, and auto dimming rear view mirror.
An ‘Active’ model starts from £22,940 and with its rugged SUV-inspired styling, brings a heightened sense of adventure to the focus range with 17-inch alloy wheels, raised ride height (3mm taller), LED front fog lights with cornering function, black roof and mirrors, restyled front and rear bumpers with skid plates, selectable drive modes with slippery and trail mode, and rear privacy glass.
An ‘ST-Line’ offers you the first of the sporting models and is priced from £22,940 which gets you sports tuned suspension, polished twin tailpipe, trim specific restyled bumpers and body styling kit including rear spoiler, flat bottom steering wheel with red stitching, aluminium gear knob with alloy finish pedals, and a dark cabin head-cloth.
A ‘Titanium X’ starts from £23,940 and adds partial leather trim, soft console knee pads, unique door and instrument panel inserts, and a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
Starting from £25,190 the ‘ST-Line X’ adds 18 inch alloy wheels, and red brake calipers. While an ‘Active X’ receives panoramic roof and starts from £25,230.
The pinnacle of comfort for the Ford Focus comes in the form of the ‘Vignale’ which starts from £26,730 and receives a unique front grill and body styling, door edge protectors, ‘Bang & Olufsen’ audio system with 360-degree sound, rear wide-view camera, active park assist, full leather seat trim, heated steering wheel, head-up display, and colour changeable ambient lighting in the cabin.
An ‘Active X Vignale’ is available from £27,130 and, whilst those who fell in love with the Ford brand through their successful rally exploits, having won the World Rally Championship’s manufacturers title four times, the ‘ST’ model is most certainly for you and starts from £29,825.
The ‘ST’ comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive full LED headlights, electronic limited slip differential (petrol model only), continuously controlled damping suspension, adaptive cruise control with Lane centring assist, and Recaro partial leather seats, the front of which are heated along with the steering wheel.
Coming as front wheel drive only you have the choice of a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a trio of petrol engines and a pair of diesels, all of which are trim dependent.
The petrol engines start with a 1-litre EcoBoost producing either 100ps or 125ps, seeing 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds and 10 seconds, with a return of 50.4mpg and 46.3mpg, respectively.
Should you require a little more get up and go, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost comes with either 150ps or 182ps, seeing 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds and 8.3 seconds, with a return of 44.8mpg and 43.5mpg, respectively.
Available only in the ST model, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is nothing short of outstanding, producing 280ps it’s good for 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, with a combined return of an impressive 34.4mpg.
The Focus diesel range starts with a 1.5-litre EcoBlue producing either 95ps or120ps, seeing 0-62mph and 11.8 seconds and 10.3 seconds, with a return of 62mpg and 57.6mpg, respectively.
A 2-litre EcoBlue is available with either 150ps or 190ps, seeing 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds and 7.7 seconds, with a return of 53.3mpg and 50.4mpg, respectively. The more potent of the latter diesel engine is available only in ST trim.
The model tested and pictured is in Titanium X trim, fitted with the 1-litre EcoBoost 125ps engine and 6-speed manual ‘box. At £27,840, thanks to almost every option being ticked, it may be well kitted out, but it’s not exactly affordable.
With its transformed shape, the Ford Focus looks more sophisticated than ever and, the ‘Chrome Blue’ colour option on this model tested is absolutely stunning, it’s especially pleasing on a bright summer’s day.
Fitted to this car is automatic door edge protectors that pop out when opening the door. The aim is to protect the paintwork on your door’s edge, should you happen to bump a wall or another car. A great idea, but in reality, they are very noisy in their operation and also feel incredibly flimsy.
There is a reasonable sized boot that although shallow, coped well with a single-width double buggy. There was no chance of our side-by-side twin buggy fitting however, so perhaps not ideal for those with a very young family.
The Ford Focus cabin is surprising for the size of car. Noticeably spacious, with comfortable seats and an easily navigated infotainment screen floating from the dash.
At the heart of this model is the highest powered 1-litre EcoBoost engine and with a real world economy of almost 40mpg, it’s certainly not as frugal in real life as it is on paper. Offering ample power, this engine will suit the needs of almost anyone and, in a chassis as good as that seem with the focus, it’s an enjoyable driving experience.
Ford offer a 3-year, 60000 mile warranty, whichever comes first.
Fact File for model tested
Make : Ford
Model : Focus
Trim : Titanium X
Engine : 1-litre turbocharged petrol
Gearbox : 6-speed manual
Cost : £ 27,840
Words & Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer
