2019 Ford Focus: Better than Ever

If you want a family car that's still great to drive, the Ford Focus has long been difficult to beat. The latest model, launched in 2018, aims to continue that tradition while improving in every other significant area. Chris Knapman finds out if Ford has succeeded.

Pros
Enjoyable to drive
Ample room for tall passengers
Excellent Ecoboost petrol engines

Cons
Some rivals have bigger boots
Ford's new car warranty is short compared with those offered by Hyundai and Kia
Entry-level cars with torsion beam suspension aren't as good to drive

The CarGurus verdict
There are more striking family cars out there, others still that have flashier interiors, and still others that are more reliable. The Ford Focus offers a good range of commendable petrol and diesel engines, though, and in terms of safety and road holding, it is right up there with the very best, if not one step ahead.

Don’t be put off by the small displacement three-cylinder engines. They’re all turbocharged, which means they punch well above their weight. They’re also more charismatic than a conventional four-cylinder motor. Pick the right engine from the extensive line up for your particular needs and you’ll enjoy a good blend of performance, powertrain refinement and fuel efficiency.

Meanwhile, the sporty Focus ST is a very good all-rounder without being truly exceptional in any one area. Whereas other hot hatches compromise on day-to-day comfort to deliver a more thrilling driving experience, the Ford prefers to deliver consistently across the board, being both effortless to use everyday and fun to drive on a great road.

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[michaelbaldwin]

Ok.I'll add my 2 pennies worth to this review.I have got the one he is reviewing the 1.5 ecoboost petrol st line x..in that blue with that panoramic glass sunroof.It was delivered Mid Nov.I have now done around 1200 miles in it.Firstly no one on these channels has described accurately the cars handling.It Is light on the nose..far more so than previous focus, due in part to the light weight 1.5 ecoboost Petrol 3 cylinder engine (pulled from the St Fiesta and detuned slightly).The tyres are actually 235 x 45 section Michelin's.The result.No under steer, no over steer either, at frankly ludicrous cornering speeds.It just sticks to the road and the nose points immediately where you steer it.It drives a bit like a go cart ! The Car does corner fairly flat at high speed.
Fuel consumption.Best Driving modes..1) Round town.Normal Mode.It's very nippy...Fuel consumption around low 40 - 41 MPG.
On a Journey : Use Eco mode .A Bit sluggish but will achieve around 45- 47 mpg.Downsides.The seats are very hard and with not a huge amount of lateral support.The heated front seats: Do not use the 3 bar setting.You will roast your arse off.On cold days.just stick to lowest setting.

[sparks]

Wish these were coming to America. We're stuck with stupid crossovers instead

[PlanetautoUK]

This looks a fab car, the new styling really works, can’t wait to drive it.

[youraveragejoe]

Here’s my review from experience, hope it helps!:
Engine: We have a 1.0 Ecoboost 125hp auto. I find the performance not strong enough, and that it doesn’t have enough torque. The automatic is quite smooth to be fair, but makes the car slower still.
Ride quality: Rides quite well (Titanium), surprisingly so, so no complaints
Exterior: I think it’s quite decent looking, but again that’s down to opinion.
Interior: well equipped for the most part, but I think this is the biggest let down. I think the interior quality is quite disappointing, lots of hard plastics where you touch frequently, and while the back seat is quite comfortable, the front passenger is very uncomfortable. The floor is very steep, and the seat doesn’t have enough under-leg support (5 foot 10, have to sit with the seat all the way back to have supported legs). Overall I’d give a 6/10

[matthewgodfrey]

Instrument panel has been updated since this video. Mine is completely different.

[MehmetUygun]

at 4:37 there is no ston in front of right tire, but there is one after 4:39 :D why did you need that there?

[melcanuck]

Focus is great car - always been my favourite drive. (Doesn't look like a cardboard box either)

Good review - Mr Telegraph Cars is now a Car Guru??

[Mattn]

Just bought one. Loving it. Has its flaws but overall it's a brilliant car.

[neilwilliams]

had a mark one done 234 k and sold it too..my oldest lad....had an estate too[wrote off not my fault]just got a 20190 focus tdci ...briliant dynamics..the drive mode is fantastic..had a golf tdi before and it wasnt as good and blew a valve..

[steveguest]

I really like this new focus it is the first Ford for a few years to interest me, but I have had two Ford's and two Toyota's the ford's were no where near as reliable and were in the garage too often and more MOT failures the Toyota's never failed MOT and never gave me any trouble so I feel really cautious.

[BikerDarren]

Just don't understand why they don't do an awd variant of the focus, I'd have one soon as, just put a milder version of the RS awd system and be done. Love everything about the focus having owned many over the years and my current car, awd would just give a little more traction on our mostly wet, damp and poor roads in the UK and give a little more safety even if it does sacrifice a bit of mpg.

[katrinaedmunds]

Thinking of getting one of these. How does the 1.5 diesel compare to the 1.5 186 petrol for comparing smooth and unnoticeable gear shifting test driven a 1.5 petrol but can’t find one in correct spec to buy. So going to have to buy the diesel.

[xshanghu]

Does it still have the crap transmission? Can you get 20, 000 miles in the transmission?

[biancaramirez]

I stopped at 2:54.
I simply can't wrap my head around the idea of s rotating shift knob and steering wheel mounted paddles.
I love Ford, I really do but a true driver desires a movable lever and clutch.
To Ford I say goodbye my dearest love.
I'll stay with the Japanese cars that still know what driving truly means.

[CasualInsanity]

As a current American Mk3 Focus owner, I WANT THIS SO BAD :(

[Danholland]

What is the Vignale 1.5T Automatic like in comparison to the model in this video?

[forzabowe]

I think the Focus is steering away from its traditional Ford image, and trying to compete with the 1 series.

[drstrange]

for a first or second car this is perfect getting one in the next couple days in the red, estate version.

[nikeshbhattarai]

Would you recommend a 1L Automatic to a 1.5L Automatic Active estate?
I am looking at a 1L automatic but have heard some not so good reviews on its engine and drive performance. I haven't done the test drive yet. Will probably do soon. Would like to hear from you too.
Thanks!

[dontill]

Ordered my st line x in black cant wait