Road Test : Ford Focus Hatch

Review by Tristan Tancredi - 25 April 2012

The folk at Ford have put together a vehicle that not only competes against the strongest hatches on the market, it challenges them for the title.  

The Ford Focus has undergone drastic changes to not only the exterior design, but interior refinement and engine performance have significicantly improved.

The Focus is available in a range of models; Ambiente, Trend, Sport and the top of the line Titanium and it utlises both diesel (Duratorq) and petrol (Duratec) engines throughout its range.

Let's have a closer look at Ford latest Focus and how it stacks up.

Drive: 4/5

Duratorq (Diesel) and Duratec (Petrol) engines are the choices for the Ford Focus range and are available in 5-Speed manual and 6-Speed Powershift Automatic transmission.

We were lucky enough test drive a 6-Speed Powershift transmission and let us tell you, this transmission is pretty lively. It takes a bit to get going, but once you start clicking up the gears, there is genuine throttle response and speed.

The Australian terrain really put the car to the test and ultimately the Focus shone through as a definite smooth ride underfoot.

A significant difference between the Duratorq 2.0l diesel and the Duratec GDI Petrol is the fuel consumption figures. The petrol drinks 6.7l per 100km, whilst the diesel chews through only 5.5l per 100km.

Just another reason to switch over to diesel.

Engine: 4/5

A 2.0L Duratorq (TDCi) engine, a nice name that simply translates to a Ford Diesel Engine, inhabits the hood of the Focus.

The Duratorq Diesel engine is currently used in an assortment of modern vehicles, ranging from Fords, Mazdas, Jaguars, Volvos and Land Rovers, and is a powerful development by the folk at Ford.

The 2.0L Duratorq TDCi engine inside the Focus belts out maximum power of 120Kw at 3750rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm at 2000-3500rpm. Impressive figures for a 2.0l engine.

The power of the engine translates to decent, yet not mindblowing, speed. It hits 0-100kmph in a time of 8.8 seconds, which in reflection is only .1 of a second faster then the non-diesel variant.

The 2.0l Duratec petrol variant comes in at 125kw and 202 Nm. Not quite as Torquey.

Exterior: 4/5

Eye-catching 16", 17" and 18" Alloy wheels typify the sporty and improved Ford Focus across the range of models.

The Focus has been upgraded to cater for a vehicle with a bigger personality and an on-road presence that demands attention. This is exemplified by a broad front grille that is bordered on either side by neatly positioned front fog lights.

Halogen headlights, combined with the front fog lights have a great range and look a treat on this puppy at dusk. Bi-Xenon HID Headlights are available on the Titanium range as an optional extra.

A spoiler is standard across the entire range, the size of which increases for the more expensive models. The Ford Focus measures in at 1484mm tall, 4358mm long and 2010mm wide.

Safety: 5/5

The Ford Focus comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and is fitted with all the neccessary safety requirements.

Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Curtain and side airbags line the interior walls of the cabin to protect all occupants of the car. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) offer on-road support.

A 16" spare wheel sits in the boot and despite taking up more room is a better replacement then a space-saver. It is a pleasant feeling sitting in a car that ultimately feels secure and safe, the Focus offers just that.

Interior: 4/5

First things first, there is an abundance of controls, gizmos, illuminated lighting and buttons that layer the drivers side dash and steering wheel. So much so that a technologically impaired individual may be overcome with a sense of confusion.

Everybody else will love the layout and the easy access to all things digital for the driver. A trip computer is positioned neatly between the speedo and tacho and is easily browsed via steering wheel controls.

The main feature, a Multi-functional 5" display device for the Titanium (3.5" for Ambient and Trend models) sits neatly in the centre console above the radio and offers access to all ipod, bluetooth, aux, radio and navigational needs, aswell as car settings and functions.

The trend for Ford unfortunately continues with the audio system in the Focus. The speakers infiltrating the cabin do little to please the avid music lover, especially one that loves to pump the tunes to unbearable levels. These music fans will have to stick to the Dre beats headphones for now for that heavy bass fix.

Soft plastics mixed with blends of leather flow through the cabin and create a modern, clean and youthful look to the Focus brand. This is complimented with satisfactory seating (V Style Sport shaped seating is available in the Sport and Titanium models).

The seating offer terrific lumbar support and are a bliss on longer journeys (especially with heated front seats for the Titanium model on those cooler mornings). Minus the heated seats, the same can be said for the comfort in the back seats.

Head and leg room becomes a slight issue for backseat passengers and a confined boot space of 372 litres doesn't allow for terrific luggage capacity.

Overall: 4/5

Does the Ford Focus take home the title from the VW Golf? We don't think so, not yet anyway.

It still is a fun-to-drive hatch, that looks sharp, is comfortable and comes with a vast choice of technical features.  With a range of models to suit different budgets, we can't think of a reason to not head down to the local Ford Dealership for a test drive.

Prices start from $21,990 for the Ambiente hatch and extend to $36,590 for the Titanium TDCi hatch.

* Prices are manufacturer list prices only, for the drive away price please contact your local authorised Ford dealer.