For For a £500 premium over the 1.6, this Focus provides a useful increase in power. Stability control, air-conditioning and six airbags are standard and, like every Focus, it’s good to drive.
Against The 1.8 petrol engine means higher running costs than the 1.6, and the 1.6 TDCI 110 equivalent will give you much lower fuel and company car tax bills.
The extra perkiness of the 1.8-litre petrol engine over the 1.6 might be appealing, but the 1.6 TDCI diesel alternative, which will cost you less in fuel and company car tax.
The Focus range is so big that it really does provide everything from frugal runabouts to fire-breathing hot hatches, via practical estates and sexy coupe-cabriolets. These three- and five-door hatchbacks are the core of the range, however. The sheer number of used Focuses out there means that residual values aren’t strong, but the flipside is that you can get a big discount on the list price.
Entry-level models are a little short on power and kit, so we’d recommend moving up to Zetec trim if you can, because you’re then unlikely to have to add any optional extras.
Of the wide range of engines, the 1.6 TDCI is our pick. It’s flexible and refined, yet provides incredible fuel economy and emits very little CO2. The dearer diesel and petrol models push the price uncomfortably high, while the hot hatch ST model sounds great, but its five-cylinder engine is thirsty and it’s not as much fun as it should be.
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