Ford Focus

FIRST UK DRIVE Verdict on British roads reveals if family car is back to its best.

- Jonathan Burn

IN the UK, the Focus is no less integral to Ford than a pilot is to a Boeing 747. The company shifted more examples of the family model alone in this country in 2017 than Volvo, Renault or Honda sold cars.

So when a new version comes along, there’s no room for error. If it’s not practical enough, families won’t take to it. If it’s not efficient enough, business buyers will shun it. And if it’s no good to drive, enthusiasts won’t give it a second look. Ahead of the fourth-generation Focus going on sale this month, we’ve driven the car in the UK for the first time.

And when Ford says the new Focus is all new, it really means it; no parts have been carried over from the previous car.

It’s based on a completely new platform, called C2, dressed in a sharp new suit and kitted out with the latest in-car tech and infotainment.

Despite its popularity – it was the third best selling car in the UK last year – the Focus was beginning to lag behind its rivals in almost every respect. Ford is making bold claims about the latest model, calling it the best car in the company’s history.

Notice Ford says ‘best’ and not ‘prettiest’. Styling is subjective, of course, but we reckon the Focus is quite a spec-sensitive car. In Titanium X trim and finished in Chrome Blue (a £525 option) it’s a rather dowdy-looking thing, particularly on small 17-inch wheels, which get a bit lost under the curvy arches. ST-Line models (£1,250 less spec for spec) inject some visual appeal thanks to their sportier styling.