September 2020


Ford Focus Review

The UK’s leading model car, the Ford Focus, is packed with clever technologies. Every element is designed for the most comfort, convenience, and an effortless drive. Competitors include the VW Golf, BMW 1 Series, Vauxhall Astra, and Skoda Octavia.

Here is a rundown of everything you need to know about the different Focus versions, features, drive, comfort, and space.

Trim Levels

You can choose from either an elegant Zetec, a luxurious Titanium, a sporty ST, or an SUV inspired crossover Active range. The petrol range offers either a 1.0L or 1.5L engine and range from 84bhp to 108bhp. With a cylinder deactivation system, which shuts down one cylinder when cruising to save fuel. The diesel range offers either a 1.5L or 2.0L engine and range from 94bhp to 148bhp

Features

Like the Fiesta the interior of the Focus is not class leading. Some elements such as the leather seats, leather gear knob, leather bound steering wheel and carpeted inside of the doors do give an elite touch. However, if you look a little lower in the car it is made of harsh plastic. The Zetec and Titanium have 16-inch alloy wheels. Titanium X, Active and ST line have 17-inch alloy wheels. The Vignale, Active X and ST Line X models have 18-inch alloy wheels. The ST model has 19-inch alloy wheels.

Entry level models come with a 4.2-inch screen, BAB radio, USB ports and a Bluetooth system. The Zetec and ST models include a 6.5-inch touchscreen, android smartphone mirroring and apple car play. Every trim level include lane keep assist which is designed to alert you with vibrations on the steering wheel when you approach road markings without indicating, and an emergency braking system which helps achieve maximum braking when in an emergency, by sensing how much pressure you have applied to the brake and automatically increases it if necessary.

Some other exceptional technologies Ford has to offer are: Hands-free tailgate, to open and close the boot of your car easily when you have your hands full, by a gentle kicking motion with your foot under the rear centre bumper. Blind spot information system, which alerts you with a discrete warning light built into both door mirrors. Cross traffic alert with active braking, this helps when you are reversing out from a parking bay, it warns you of the approaching traffic and can also automatically apply the brakes if you fail to respond. For more of Ford’s technologies visit the Ford website and download a Ford Focus brochure.

Drive & Comfort

The Ford Focus’s handling is one area which this model excels. With smooth power delivery, brilliant steering, and sweet handling the Focus flows on every type of road. As you would expect the sporty drive ST-line versions have slightly firmer suspension, than on the Titanium and the Zetec. The Petrol versions feel smoother and quieter compared to the slightly grumbly diesel versions when at idle but the diesels settle down with speed.

All trim levels have adjustable bumper support on the driver and passenger seats. If you decide to go for the comfort seats you will get an 18-way adjustment and extendable thigh support, perfect if you are particularly tall. The Zetec version and above come with an armrest for extra comfort especially on long journeys. Parking sensors are as standard on the ST-Line X, or you can add this as an extra on the other versions. 

Space

The front is spacious with excellent storage compartments for all your things. The space in the back was traditionally small however this is no longer the case, especially when it comes to the leg room. The middle seat unfortunately is raised which may be uncomfortable for long journeys especially if you are tall. The boot space is spacious with capacity of 375L when the rear seats are up and 1,354L with the rear seats down. The square shaped design allows you to easily fit a large pram or several suitcases, a perfect family car​.

We recommend the mid-range Titanium because it comes with everything that the big-selling Zetec can have, but also front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, heated front seats and a larger infotainment screen.

For more specific information on efficiency and more browse our current selection of Ford Focus's online >