Why the Focus Mk4 is Fords Last Ever Proper Car

With the dominance of Electric cars and SUVs, the humble hatchback is all but gone. But what is Fords last ever 'proper car' like to drive?

Car on review: 2021 Ford Focus 4th Generation 1.0 Ecoboost Mild Hybrid ST Line Edition 125
#fordfocus

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[JJonCars]

**correction** a few people have mentioned that this mild hybrid model actually has a timing chain, rather than a wet belt. Though it does still have a wet belt for the oil pump.

[coolcat]

Cheers to everyone not picking an SUV.

[sevesellors]

Fiesta gone now Focus I think Ford might regret leaving their traditional market and going premium can’t see that working others have tried and failed. Good review and nice to see a proper car.

[callummccubbing]

Currently having driving lessons in a 1.5 diesel version of this Focus. Great cars. Really nice to take down a country road. Suspension is so supple.

[ovic.]

i'm ford man.. have c-max 2.0 petrol, mondeo mk4 2.0 petrol( love it, best car for me) and mondeo mk5 2.0 ecoboost ( 240hp) ... and yup, love youre chanal JJ. 💪🤜🤛

[Yorkshiremadmick]

I watch the videos for you and your content. Not because I’ve any interest in buying any Ford.

[nigelkimberley]

I have my Dad's 2001 Focus 1.6 LX Estate. At 88k miles it was set up then to be good drive and stil enjoy it now, especially when on my own!!😊

[TheThorntonBrapper]

Hello Sir, it's Chris from the Dales yesterday. Lovely to meet you and to be introduced to the channel which is taking up more of my time than is strictly healthy hehe. Some great content in here, delivered with surefooted aplomb! I'm off to watch the 'Everything wrong with the cheap Audi A2' video, it feels the proper thing to do as I met Rufus for the first time yesterday :)

[cliftonian]

The thing with this generation of Fords is they do everything you need and put a smile on your face while driving them. Interior quality and design is my only bugbear but I can forgive that because nobody touches them for the blend of everyday handling, ride and performance enjoyment. I never thought I’d end up being a Ford owner when I could afford a premium German marquee but after 3 STs I’m hooked, currently Puma 1.5 ST. I’m not sure where to go next once Ford abandons ICE for good, and the latest Puma ST is a 1L auto only which is a big mistake. We have EU and World Economic Forum regulations of course to thank for the sad death of motoring enjoyment…

[ricknuttall]

Think ford will have a rethink about scrapping the focus when sales of EVs plummet in the next couple of years.

[pipoo]

No SUV will ever look as good or be as much fun to drive as a well specked hatchback like the Focus, Golf or Astra. I’ve just ordered a new Astra GS line, the lack of a decent hatchback in its range means Ford are simply not for people like me anymore, and I’ve owned 3 Foci over the years including a Mk3 ST.

[garybennett]

I own a 2015 focus S which has cost me 3 batteries and a set of tires, no rattles no problems been a great car .

[MartinJones]

As the owner of a MK2 ST225/XR5T, I do like this new Focus and it's definitely got a premium look to it, but I'm not sure about the long term reliability of the small engine, and it looks like the drivers door panel has an imprint of the driver's elbow lol

[gorebrush]

I own a Mk4 ST in this colour, and whilst it's a bit smaller than the cars I am used to, I love it. Well, I dislike the silly headlights that cost a small fortune out of warranty, but other than that, it's really nice. My wife has owned 4 Focus's - I can see why. It is a real shame they aren't making them next year. Thanks everyone for buying silly SUV's instead.

[Rjhs]

Hi JJ. Nice review as usual and I guess the only question is, why are they pulling the plug on the Focus when it's such a good and popular car?
Is it so they can focus their energies (pardon the pun) on SUVs and crossovers that they can then market and sell as the best thing since sliced bread. If so, shame on them.

[bigdavesnokia]

Had mine for nearly 5 years. Been a great car - mines the 1.5 182 auto STLine X version and it's a great engine/gearbox combo. When I bought mine I got an ex Ford management car and it has most packs/options on it. I can't find anything to replace it with that makes me want to part with more money, especially when lot of newer stuff doesn't have anything near the spec in . Only issues I've had are a dodgy battery causing various strange behavior early on in ownership (common thing) and I've had to replace the gps antenna twice due to malfunction (easily available on eBay 2nd hand cheap). mechanically no issues.

[Rnaudts]

I have a 1.5 with 200hp (mountune) in vignale its realy a great car! Hope to own the st someday

[mikenewbold]

you look so much like edward norton from fight club

[philmoffett]

Always had a ford focus from the mk1 and just sold my 2020 st line simply because they are brilliant cars to drive 😊 although my last one did have quite a few issues which made me part with it unfortunately again absolutely superb to drive but I had trouble with the clutch, the GPF, drive shaft, battery not charging and windows not closing properly, and window buttons snapping (all so I was told by the ford technician common problems with this mk focus😟) so I parted with it and bought a puma ST which is equally awesome and everything works👍 in regards to the wet belt system from 2018/19 the engine is now chain driven which eliminates the belt problem although the oil pump is still belt driven so time will tell if that works but ford are now warranting the belt engine so if it goes they repair or replace it 🤷‍♂️

[shand]

I think that version of the Ecoboom has a timing chain. But for some reason Ford decided to drive the oil pump using a wet belt.
Whilst I like the Focus they do suffer from issues if neglected.