June Neary tries out the latest version of Britain's best seller, Ford's Focus

Introduction

The Ford Focus has always been regarded as a sensible set of wheels, with the added bonus of being rather good to drive. You'd certainly know that Ford's current MK4 Focus is, well, a Focus. The styling is familiar and this is a car that I've always liked. This latest evolution has sharpened the whole package visually. Ford says the design makes the car look as if it's moving, even when it's standing still. Judge for yourself, but I think it's clear that while this is a volume product, it's far from bland and an even more interesting car to look than the previous model. As before, there's a body style choice between the five-door hatchback models and a smart estate. In all, it's a package that has the looks and the features to suit me.

Will It Suit Me?

I remember the original Focus as suiting drivers of all sizes with wider opening doors and more headroom than the class norm. The latest model expands on this theme, offering an optional electrically adjustable pedal set. The multi-adjustable steering column helps in ensuring a comfortable driving position and Ford have integrated a number of practical aspects from the C-MAX mini-MPV including a glove box big enough to house a 1.5-litre bottle, a sunglasses holder, a dash-top cubby and class-leading luggage space.

Practicalities

The elephant in the room when it comes to the Focus is always its bootspace. You get around 341-litres, which is better than used to be the case with a Focus but is still significantly less than some competitors. Fortunately, most potential owners don't seem to mind and I certainly had no issues during the families duties undertaken in my time with the car. Buggies, shopping and one expensive IKEA trip all were dealt with in untroubled fashion. For the flat-pack stuff, I had to fold the rear bench, which freed up a 1,320-litre space. For passengers, the curved rear roofline suggests that headroom might be a little compromised in the rear where you sit high-ishly positioned for a good view of the road ahead. In fact though, the extra length and a longer wheelbase of this design have enabled the designers to pull a rabbit out of the hat and create perfectly acceptable levels of head and legroom, even for taller folk. Provided, of course, there are only two of them. As usual in this class of car, three large adults are going to need to be very friendly to share rear seat space together. When it comes to gadgets, I just can't get enough of them. After all, they really do increase the 'feel good factor' when you spend so much of your day behind the wheel. The plush variant I tested had features such as a heated windscreen, keyless start, hill start assist, a premium stereo, 17-inch alloys, active park assist and heated leather seats. Some of the options offered on the Focus are the sort of thing only seen on flagship super saloons not so long ago. The park assist system, which guides you into a parking space, is one and then there are five systems that use a set of inbuilt cameras. These comprise Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition and Auto High Beam.

Behind the Wheel

Behind the wheel, the quality really is quite impressive and there's a driver-orientated positioning of seat and controls. The engine range initially looks familiar, but closer inspection reveals that it's been heavily revised. As before, the range primarily hinges around Ford's familiar three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit, which gets a new turbocharger and cylinder head and is available in 100 and 125PS guises, plus it can also be had in mHEV mild hybrid form. There's also a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with 150 or 182PS. Plus a fresh 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel with 95 and 120PS. And a 2.0-litre EcoBlue unit with 150PS. As for the suspension, well a little disappointingly, Ford has followed Volkswagen's lead in equipping lower-powered 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel Hatch variants with a cruder twist-beam set-up. If you want the more sophisticated independent rear double wishbone suspension system that's supposed to improve ride comfort, you'll need an estate, the 'Active' crossover version, top-spec 'Vignale' trim or a hatch with 1.5-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel power. The top 'ST' high performance version gets stiffer, lowered suspension and a choice of either 280PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol power or a 190PS version of the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engine.

Value For Money

Prices start at around £21,000 with a trim line-up starting with 'Zetec', before progressing through 'ST-Line', 'ST-Line X', 'Titanium', 'Titanium X' and 'Vignale' variants. An SUV-style 'Active' version and an 'ST' hot hatch are also available. Equipment levels reflect the fact that most customers will be paying getting on for £25,000 for this once very affordable family hatch. Even the base Focus 'Zetec' comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, alomng with an 8-inch SYNC3 touchscreen incorporating a DAB digital radio with Bluetooth and Emergency Assist. Plus there's an electronic parking brake, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist and a Lane-Keeping Aid. Whatever your budget, you'll find the Focus cheap to run: there are major components throughout the vehicle, which are designed to require minimal or even no maintenance.

Could I Live With One?

If I needed reminding just how good the Focus still is, this fourth generation model does just that. The smart styling is attractive and distinctive and the cabin now feels a more appealing place to be. There's no doubt the new Focus is brilliantly adapted to the cut and thrust of daily life.

Body Glass

Front variable intermittent wipers with electric wash

Quickclear heated windscreen

Rain sensor

Tailgate wash/wipe

Privacy glass

Heated rear window

Electrically operated front and rear windows with one touch opening and closing

Brakes

Electronic Differential Lock + traction control

Electronic parking brake

Electronic stability control

Auto hold function

Anti lock brake system + Electronic Brake force Distribution

Post collision braking

Pre collision assist with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection

Chassis/Suspension

Sports tuned suspension

Communication

Bluetooth system

Wireless charging pad

Driver Aids

Selectable drive mode

Lane keeping system - lane keeping alert and lane keeping aid

Eco mode

Power assisted steering

Driver Convenience

Easy fuel capless refuelling system

Driver Information

Ford SYNC4 Nav with 13.2'' touchscreen, DAB, Emergency Assistance, Apple Carplay & Android Auto, B&O Premium Audio with 10 speakers, FordPass Connect

12.3" Digital instrument cluster

Trip computer

Rev counter

Service interval indicator

Digital clock

Driving Mirrors

Electrically operated heated power fold door mirrors with puddle lamp with side indicators

Entertainment

2 USB ports

Exterior Body Features

Unique ST-Line grille, full bodystyling kit, and large body coloured rear roof spoiler

Rear side wing doors

Polished twin tailpipe

Body coloured door handles

Exterior Lights

LED third brake light

LED daytime running lamp

LED rear lamps

Auto headlamps (on/off)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone electronic air temperature control

Interior Features

Full sensico premium upholstery

Reach + rake adjustable steering column

Load through ski hatch

Packs

Winter pack - Focus

ST-Line Design pack - Focus

Safety

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Side curtain airbags

Remote/power child rear door locks

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Front passenger airbag

Front inertia reel height adjustable seatbelts with pre-tensioners

Three rear inertia reel lap/diagonal seatbelts

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Front side airbags

Driver airbag

Seats

Isofix child seat preparation

Single front passenger seat

Manual 2-way passenger seat adjust

Power 4-way driver seat adjust, with power lumbar adjust

3 rear headrests

Height adjustable front headrests

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Security

Thatcham alarm with power door dead locks

Keyless entry and keyless start

Remote central locking & engine immobiliser

MyKey system

Wheels - Alloy

18" 5x3 spoke pearl grey high gloss machined finish alloy wheels with mini spare wheel

Emissions - ICE

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 119

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 127

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 127

Engine and Drive Train

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 999

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 50.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 53.3

General

Special Order: 0

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Generation Mark: 4

Special Edition: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 1.0

Badge Power: 155

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 19E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 96

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 72

NCAP Safety Assist %: 75

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Coin Series: ST-Line X

Coin Description: EcoBoost 155

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 19.4

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.6

Top Speed: 128

Engine Power - BHP: 155

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 114

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 140

Engine Torque - NM: 190

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/40 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 235/40 R18

Tyre Size Spare: SPACE SAVER

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5x3 SPOKE

Space Saver?: No

Alloys?: No

Weight and Capacities

Max. Loading Weight: 406

No. of Seats: 5

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2005

Minimum Kerbweight: 1599

Communication

E-call

Driver Convenience

Hands free power tailgate

Driver Information

BSIS (Blind Spot Information system) with Trailer coverage

Head up Display

Exterior Body Features

Exclusive paint

Premium paint

Openable panorama roof

Additional premium paint

Exterior Lights

Dynamic matrix LED headlamps including Glare free lighting

Packs

Parking pack - Focus

Driver assist pack - Focus Auto

Paint - Solid

Solid - Race red

Paint - Special

Premium paint - Moondust silver

Exclusive paint - Desert island blue

Premium paint - Chrome blue

Premium paint - Frozen white

Exclusive paint - Magnetic

Premium paint - Agate Black

Exclusive paint - Fantastic red

Towing

Detachable trailer coupling includes trailer stability assist

Trailer Coupling Pre-equipment Electrical-Kit provides wiring loom installation for aftermarket towbar

Trim - Part Leather

Full sensico premium seat - Ebony with red stitching