Ford Focus Hybrid Car

Description

For more than two decades, the Ford Focus has been one of the go-to names in the family car business, despite small SUVs being more in vogue these days. But if you don’t live out in the wilderness you probably don’t need a 4×4, making the Focus (and other alternatives such as the Volkswagen Golf and Kia Ceed) a sensible alternative.

In fact, buying an SUV is a bit like wearing your hiking gear to do the weekly shop down Tesco, while the Focus is more like comfortable leisure wear – just a bit more stylish.

Ford has given the Focus a minor update for 2022. It’s much the same as it was, but a huge new infotainment screen, some updated engine tech and minor styling tweaks have freshened things up a little.

The changes are subtle but there’s no denying it’s a sleek-looking thing regardless of whether you go for the hatchback or big-boot estate option.

Again, the interior design has been largely left as-is – except for one obvious addition in the form of a 13.2-inch infotainment display. It’s huge – almost too big for how close it is to you, actually – but it brings the cabin bang up to date and uses Ford’s latest software, which gets modern graphics and is slick to use. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

It’s easy to get comfortable, with plenty of adjustability making for a decent driving position, while all but the tallest passengers should have decent leg and headroom. The rear seats are particularly impressive, being more spacious than most alternatives.

There’s less to shout about in the boot, though. At 391 litres it’s about average for the class, being a bit bigger than a Volkswagen Golf and a bit smaller than a Honda Civic. All are swamped by the cavernous Skoda Octavia’s near-600-litre boot. The Focus’s boot has a useful square shape to make the most of the space, so you’ll have no trouble getting the weekly shop away.

Your engine choices are pretty simple as there are just two variations of a 1.0-litre petrol engine on offer, with 125hp and 155hp and a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes – both of which have have a mild hybrid system, except the entry-level option. The more powerful engine is the best pick, because it’s just as economical as the lower-powered model, getting up to 55mpg with the manual, while also offering a bit more punch when you need it.

There’s also a 1.5-litre diesel making 115hp, but at the time of writing this is unavailable because of ‘supply constraints’, while the high-performance ST model gets a 280hp 2.3-litre petrol engine.

The Focus’s party trick has long been a better driving experience than you’d ever expect from a family car, and the latest model continues this trend. If you want to make the most of the handling without going full ST, the ST-Line has a sportier suspension set-up that makes it a little more fun without sacrificing too much comfort.

Faux-SUV Active models have a higher, softer suspension for those who occasionally head off the beaten track, and this also makes it the most comfortable for long motorway trips, too. Whichever Focus you get, though, it’s easy to drive around town while remaining refined at higher speeds.

There’s not much to dislike about the Ford Focus. It’s stylish, comfortable and the upgraded infotainment system has brought the cabin up to 2022 standards. The fact it’s decently practical while also being fun to drive helps seal the deal.

It’s a little bit pricey, though, aligned with cars with more badge appeal like the Volkswagen Golf rather than good value prospects such as the Skoda Octavia and Kia Ceed.

If you’re looking for a great deal on a Ford Focus, check out the latest savings available through carwow, or see our array of used Ford Focus models for sale. You can check out the latest deals on other new Fords, while you can also sell your car with the help of our trusted dealers, who can help get you the best price.