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If you’re looking for a mid-size family car, the Ford Focus is well worth your consideration. That’s because it’s practical, well-equipped and cheap to buy, and it feels more enjoyable to drive than most similar cars. It’s a brilliant all-rounder.
The current version of the Ford Focus has been on sale in the UK since 2018. It’s the fourth generation in a line that dates back to 1998. The previous (third-generation) model was sold new from 2011 to 2018.
There’s a wide range of Focus models to choose from, with hatchback and estate versions, the SUV-style Active and the high-performance ST. There are models with petrol or diesel engines and manual or automatic gearboxes, plus an extensive selection of trim levels ranging from the value-focused to the luxurious.
The Focus was updated in 2022, the most obvious changes being a new front grill and headlights plus Ford’s latest infotainment system.
The entry-point Ford Focus Style comes with air con, DAB radio and Bluetooth. All the other trim levels also have a touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has sat nav in many cases, plus cruise control.
Titanium models add parking sensors and heated front seats, ST-Line models have a sportier look, Vignale models have ‘Sensico’ artificial leather seat upholstery. That’s just a broad outline: Ford has changed the trim level line-up and their standard features many times over the years.
The Ford Focus is very fuel-efficient, even by the high standards that mid-size hatchbacks generally achieve. The official figures show that petrol models can give average fuel economy of 39mpg to 56mpg and diesels can give 44mpg to 67mpg.
Some of the petrol models have a mild-hybrid system – that’s an extra electrical system that helps improve fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Other running costs are generally quite low and the Focus is good value overall.
There are legions of other mid-size hatchbacks to choose from including the Citroen C4, Honda Civic, Peugeot 308 and Volkswagen Golf. The Focus rates as average for practicality but above-average for value and well above average for its fun driving experience.
The Ford Focus has more than enough passenger space to function as a family car. Four six-foot-tall adults fit comfortably; three adults won’t feel squeezed in the back, either, which is rare in this type of car. Children have room to stretch out. There are two sets of Isofix mounts on the back seat, though the car’s relatively low height means you have to bend down quite a lot to lift children in and out.
The Focus hatchback has 375 litres of boot space, which is a little small for this type of car. A family’s weekly shopping or school bags fit with space to spare – you just might need to pack a bit light when going on holiday. Fold down the back seats and there’s 1,354 litres of space.
If you need greater practicality, you could always get a Focus estate. It has a cavernous boot with 575 litres of space – more than you get in the larger Ford Mondeo – and 1,650 litres with the back seats folded. It could be the ideal choice if you have a couple of big dogs or regularly need to stow camping gear.
The Ford Focus is the mid-size option in Ford’s car range, sitting between the smaller Fiesta and the bigger Mondeo. There’s also the Ka+ city car if you need a Ford that’s even more compact than the Fiesta. Compared to Ford’s SUVs, the Focus is most similar to the Kuga – the two cars actually share some mechanical components and structural elements.
The Ford Focus scored very strong marks when it was assessed by the experts at Euro NCAP, earning a full five-star safety rating. Notably, it scored 96% for protecting adult occupants in a crash. Driver-safety features include automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Many Focus models with petrol engines have a mild-hybrid system, which Ford calls mHEV. It’s an extra system with a separate battery that powers some of the car’s electrical equipment. That means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to charge its own battery, which helps to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.