Ford Focus Estate

FIRST DRIVE We try the new wagon with mild-hybrid power

- Steve Walker

THE humble family estate has lost out A still thinks there's life in the formula yet because it's returned to this sector with an updated version of its Focus Estate.

As with the firm's five-door Focus hatchback, this estate model features subtly revised styling, with new bumpers, fresh headlights and a tweaked grille that now features an oversized Blue Oval logo at its centre. There are some concessions to the appeal of an SUV with the car in our pictures though because the Focus Active Estate adds cladding around the wheel arches and raises the standard car's ride height by 30mm for a crossover-inspired look.

Like any estate should, though, it majors on practicality, with a total of 575 litres of load space with the rear seats in place, rising to 1,653 litres if you fold them down via levers in the boot. The boot floor can also be folded to keep loads in place.

The rear seats offer plenty of space for legs and heads, and there are lots of storage options, with lidded trays, cubbies and generous bins dotted around the cabin.