New Ford Focus review: Fantastic, but forgotten?

Since its debut in 1998, the Ford Focus has been a hit with UK buyers; the family hatch offers a perfect blend of affordability, practicality and sportiness in a stylish package. The latest iteration builds on this formula with the latest technology and a host of efficient powertrains. However, with the rise in popularity of SUVs, we seem to have forgotten what was once one of the best-selling cars in Britain. Is the Focus still the hatchback heavyweight it once was? Sara Damergi finds out

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00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Exterior & design
01:58 - Interior
03:30 - Trim levels & specification
04:34 - Driving experience & powertrains
06:50 - Practicality & boot space
08:34 - Dealmakers & Dealbreakers
09:26 - Verdict

[Mikeyp]

Yeah regardless of its age it's definitely the best handling car in its class without a doubt

[michelebicc]

It’s still a solid choice if you want a practical and fairly priced car that is also quite fun to drive. Too bad that you can only choose from 1.0L engines as petrol options (excluding the 2.3 ST model): a 1.5/1.6 would fit more properly in a car with a good chassis like this one.

[anthonystevens]

A great review Sara. Following a loan MK1 Focus when my beloved Fiesta was in for a service the handling and driving experience stood out like nothing else that I'd either driven before or even been a passenger in. Needless to say I was tempted enough to buy one. An incredible car that MK 1. Future versions seemed to loose that edge and I moved on to other cars over the years. To hear that Ford appears to be regaining its err focus on driving experience and going full circle as you mention is great to hear.

[Stevex]

2:24 that's what most of those tablets look like on most new vehicles. They should be under the air vents not up there and before you complain that it's there to make it easier to use while you're driving, you're not supposed to be fiddling with it while you drive. You're supposed to be paying attention to the road and your surroundings.

[paddycoleman]

You lost me with the lack of physical switches and buttons. Cannot stand touch controls.

[drone_tours]

Ford is great at making cars that do Exactly what you want and expect

[mickcundall]

I've got a 2022 Focus ST and it's brilliant. Best car I've ever owned. And it was a lot less than £35K even with a few options on it! I mean, nobody ever pays book price surely. I know I don't.

[JJonCars]

Glad it's still good to drive, even in 'Active' form. Thanks for the review!

[jamiep]

I enjoyed watching the Video. One of the best Compact Estate Cars

[GrahamGroovyUK]

I agree, touchscreen infotainment systems are not necessary. Dreadful distraction. Physical buttons and knobs for me please!

[ianputt]

The interior looks like at 90's Escort excluding the touch screen so boring I had a a Mk1 Focus and that was a great car.

[kayakp]

Ordered my focus st line x mhev 155 in agate black cant wait till October to collect.

[SuperGndo]

It might not be luxurious as a Volvo V60 or A6 avant, but Ford engines gives you enough pleasure to ride with.

[ra_redesignautomobiles]

Maybe a good looking wagon
But I'll never buy it after being traumatized by both expensive maintenance cost and taking another Customer Car's Transmission to put into other car

[Kxshk]

Infotainment system looks like a big step up but I much prefer the rotary dial gear selector that my 2020 focus has

[TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

35k for a Focus?! Are Ford taking the pi$$??? 😂

[andrewfoster]

great review but hope it more reliable than my 2020 ford focus 1 litre turbo ecoboost, mine been in 9 times for same issue lack of power when excellerating and a missfire but my dealership says nothing wrong as no lights on dash but when they connect it to there computer it has fault codes they dealete and i get car back but same issues. hope they have ironed all issues out before they launched this facelift version. dont get me wrong still love the focus but has put me off getting another.

[ABPhotography]

Love my Mk4 Focus St Line...don't let the Focus die Ford 😢

[zuti]

It's very good car, but now it's almost 5000 euros more than year ago. To be fair his competitors cost more money too.

[pbx]

Is the 48 mpg by the in car computer? As my Ford mpg readout can be 5 mpg over what it is really doing. So 48 might only be 43...
Good review all the same.