Ford has given its improved Focus family hatch a useful dose of electrification in EcoBoost mHEV Hybrid form. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The family hatchback market segment is offering an increasing wide range of electrified models, but there's usually quite a price to pay for the battery tech. Ford offers what it thinks is a more sensible approach with this Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid model, recently updated and most affordably offered in this 125PS mHEV form. The brand's mild hybrid tech gives you some of the benefits of electrification without the priciest parts of this technology.

Background

When it comes to family hatchbacks, electrification is really getting into gear, with full-Hybrid, Plug-in and full-electric options all available to the eco-conscious buyer prepared to pay the price for the technology on offer. But not everyone can stretch to cars like these. Ford says it can offer a more sensible solution and this is it, the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid, most affordably offered in 125PS form. This model adds mild hybrid tech to the company's usual 1.0-litre EcoBoost three cylinder petrol engine to create a small but significant improvement in efficiency. And, at the same time, a perkier feel through the gears. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

Hybrid engines aren't new in this class; Toyota has been offering one in the family hatch segment since 2010. But they add what for many buyers is an unacceptably large price premium to cars of this kind - the cheapest, most basic Corolla Hybrid does, after all, cost around £25,000. What if a slightly more affordable approach into hybrid tech could be delivered that would be lighter, cheaper and more driver-orientated? Ford says that its 'mHEV' mild hybrid tech does just that. True, it's nothing like as efficient as a full-Hybrid (like the Corolla), or indeed a plug-in Hybrid or a full-electric model - you'll find all three technologies represented right across this segment: make sure you know what you're buying. But in compensation, 'mHEV' tech boosts driver feel because it's lighter and it adds a slice of extra pulling power just when you need it. Simplicity's the keynote here, so the 1.0-litre three cylinder EcoBoost petrol powerplant this car features is essentially the same one Ford's been offering since 2011, more recently enhanced with cylinder deactivation tech which cuts down on cylinder use at low-to-medium throttle speeds. In mHEV mild hybrid form though, this unit gets a lower compression ratio and a larger turbo. And it's been embellished by a beefed-up starter/generator driven by a belt at the front of the engine that stores the energy harvested when you brake or decelerate in a tiny 48-volt lithium-ion battery secreted at the back of the car. Which provides a bit of extra zip when you accelerate (Ford says up to 50Nm of extra torque) and delivers a little electric boost from low revs to 'torque-fill' while you're waiting for the turbo to spool up. Most Focus EcoBoost Hybrid buyers will probably choose the 125PS version of this mHEV engine, which gets to 62mph in 10.2s en route to 121mph - but the disadvantage there is that you have to have the brand's 7-speed Powershift auto transmission. A manual gearbox Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost model is available with a stick shift, but it lacks the latest mHEV hybrid tech. Alternatively, you could pay a lot more and get the 155PS version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost mHEV in your Focus, which offers both transmission options but will set you back a minimum of nearly £26,000.

Design and Build

Both hatch and estate versions of this improved Focus are marked out by smarter LED headlamps with built-in foglights. plus the brand badge has been moved from the bonnet to the front grille. And the darker rear tail lamps have a smarter 'loop light' illuminating signature. As before, there are separate styling details to mark out the different trim levels, with varying front grille designs for 'Titanium', 'ST-Line' and 'Active' versions. The 'Active' model, as before, gets SUV-style visual changes, including extra lower body cladding, larger side vents and a higher ride height. Bigger changes are reserved for the cabin, which now in most models features a larger 13.2-inch 'SYNC 4' central touchscreen. In a controversial move, Ford has decided that this monitor should now incorporate the ventilation controls, giving the dashboard a cleaner, less cluttered look. We're not sure that this is actually a step forward but the infotainment system's ability to now accept over-the-air updates certainly is; as a result, you'll get into your Focus one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before - which is rather cool. As before, rear seat space isn't exemplary, but there's decent room for a couple of adults. Luggage space still isn't particularly noteworthy either; there's 341-litres of capacity if you load to window level - or 375-litres with a tyre repair kit fitted. A typically-specified Estate model fitted with a mini-spare offers up to 575-litres. Fold down the 60:40-split rear backrest and between 1,250 and 1,320-litres of space can be freed up in the hatch model, depending on the size of spare wheel you decide upon. An Estate version will give you up to 1,653-litres. The Estate's load area also now features a wet zone, with a load-floor liner inserted into the space to provide water resistance against items such as wet suits and umbrellas.

Market and Model

Pricing for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost Focus mHEV 125PS variant we're looking at here is a touch higher than you might expect because with this engine output, it can only be had with Ford's Powershift 7-speed auto gearbox. Prices start from around £28,500 and run up to around £33,000 for the top-spec mHEV 125PS Powershift model. The estate body style attracts a premium of £1,160 over the equivalent hatch. You could save around £1,800 and get a 1.0-litre Focus EcoBoost 125PS without the mHEV tech and with a manual gearbox. Alternatively, provided you're able to avoid entry-level trim, you could find around £300 more than is required for the 125PS auto mHEV model and get the mHEV engine in perkier 155PS form with a manual gearbox - at that level, auto transmission is around £1,200 more. The trim range kicks off with the base 'Titanium' variant, before progressing through 'Active' and 'ST-Line' variants, both of which (like 'Titanium') are also available in plusher 'X' forms. Equipment levels reflect the fact that many customers will be paying upwards of £30,000 for this once very affordable compact family hatch. Even the base Focus 'Titanium' comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlamps, navigation, drive modes and air conditioning. Plus you get Ford's latest 13.2-inch 'SYNC 4' touchscreen incorporating navigation, 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, 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. For sporty drivers, the 'ST-Line' variant offers unique body styling, including unique upper and lower grille, rear spoiler and polished twin tailpipes. Inside there's a flat-bottomed steering wheel, black headlining, an aluminium gear knob, alloy finish pedals and red stitching. New safety systems added across the range include 'Blind Spot assist', 'Intersection assist' and 'Local Hazard Information' (which can warn drivers of hazardous situations on the road ahead). Plus there's 'Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go', 'Speed Sign Recognition' and 'Lane Centring' (which helps to ease the strain of driving in stop-start traffic). 'Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking' helps drivers avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, while 'Active Park Assist' operates gear selection, acceleration and braking to enable fully automated parking manoeuvres simply by holding down a button.

Cost of Ownership

We've explained how the mHEV system works in our 'Driving Experience' section but we'll further add here that the belt-driven integrated starter/generator is also able to aid the powerplant's stop/start system in urban traffic, restarting the engine in approximately 300 milliseconds - about the same as the blink of an eye. And the 'BISG' also enables the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid's Auto Start-Stop technology to operate in a wider range of scenarios for even greater fuel savings, including when coasting to a stop below 10mph - and even when the vehicle is in gear with the clutch pedal depressed. Thanks to all of this, the subsequent reduction in the amount of work required from the petrol engine results, says Ford, in a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 9%. So what does that equate to in terms of stats? Well, let's base this around the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid variant most will choose, the 125PS mHEV 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid Powershift auto gearbox variant we tried. This returns 52.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and up to 122g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. The 155PS version of the same engine manages 54.3mpg and 116g/km with a manual gearbox. You'll need some class perspective here; most directly comparable conventionally-engined family hatchback-segment models deliver about 5mpg less and put out about 15-20g/km of CO2 more.

Summary

As long as you understand what you're actually getting here - a slightly more efficient combustion engine, not a proper full-Hybrid - there's lots to like about this lightly electrified Focus. That understanding will help put into perspective the fuel and CO2 benefits of Ford's mHEV technology. So you'll be pleased with these efficiency enhancements, rather than disappointed that they're not more Prius-like. It helps that the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine being used here was already pretty efficient thanks in part to its cylinder deactivation technology. Many of the family hatchback segment models this Focus EcoBoost Hybrid derivative directly competes with on price have nothing like this level of engine sophistication at this price point. Add in this fourth generation Focus model's dynamic virtues and the deal you're likely to get from Britain's market-leading brand and you might well find the overall ownership proposition quite a compelling one.

Body Glass

Front variable intermittent wipers with electric wash

Quickclear heated windscreen

Rain sensor

Tailgate wash/wipe

Heated rear window

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

Privacy glass

Brakes

Electronic Differential Lock + traction control

Auto hold function

Post collision braking

Electronic parking brake

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

Electronic stability control

Anti lock brake system + Electronic Brake force Distribution

Chassis/Suspension

Sports tuned suspension

Communication

Bluetooth system

Driver Aids

Lane keeping system - lane keeping alert and lane keeping aid

Selectable drive mode

Eco mode

Power assisted steering

Driver Convenience

Easy fuel capless refuelling system

Driver Information

Ford SYNC 4 Navigation with 13.2'' touchscreen, DAB radio, Emergency Assistance, Apple Carplay & Android Auto, 6 speakers & FordPass Connect

4.2" Colour TFT Ice blue illumination analogue cluster with trip computer

Digital clock

Service interval indicator

Rev counter

Driving Mirrors

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

Entertainment

2 USB ports

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured door handles

Rear side wing doors

Polished twin tailpipe

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

Exterior Lights

LED rear lamps

LED third brake light

Full fixed LED headlamps

LED daytime running lamp

Auto headlamps (on/off)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone electronic air temperature control

Interior Features

Cloth upholstery

Reach + rake adjustable steering column

Safety

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Driver airbag

Front passenger airbag

Front side airbags

Remote/power child rear door locks

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Three rear inertia reel lap/diagonal seatbelts

Front inertia reel height adjustable seatbelts with pre-tensioners

Side curtain airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Seats

Height adjustable front headrests

3 rear headrests

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Manual 4-way driver seat adjust, with manual lumbar adjust

Manual 2-way passenger seat adjust

Single front passenger seat

Isofix child seat preparation

Security

Remote central locking & engine immobiliser

Keyless entry and keyless start

Thatcham alarm with power door dead locks

MyKey system

Wheels - Alloy

17" 5 spoke Rock mettalic 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: 120

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: 17E

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

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): 8.4

Top Speed: 129

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: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Spare: SPACE SAVER

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE

Space Saver?: No

Alloys?: No

Weight and Capacities

Max. Loading Weight: 378

No. of Seats: 5

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1910

Minimum Kerbweight: 1532

Communication

E-call

Driver Information

BSIS (Blind Spot Information system) with Trailer coverage

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Additional premium paint

Openable panorama roof

Packs

Driver assist pack - Focus Auto

Winter pack - Focus

Parking pack - Focus

ST-Line Design pack - Focus

Paint - Solid

Solid - Race red

Paint - Special

Premium paint - Fantastic red

Premium paint - Desert island blue

Premium paint - Agate Black

Premium paint - Chrome blue

Premium paint - Magnetic

Premium paint - Moondust silver

Premium paint - Frozen white

Towing

Detachable trailer coupling includes trailer stability assist

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

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Black with red stitching