Ford Focus Estate review

Mid-spec Zetec and ST-Line models are relatively pricey compared with equivalent Skoda Octavia Estates and not far off the better-equipped SE version of the Volkswagen Golf Estate, so the Focus Estate isn’t as cheap as you might think.

However, it’s a different story if you compare three-year, 10,000-mile-per-year PCP finance deals, with the disparity to the Octavia falling to just a few pounds per month, even if the Kia Ceed Sportswagon is still likely to cost significantly less.

Predicted resale values for the Focus are also respectable, roughly matching those of the Golf and Octavia.

What’s more, all of the Ecoboost petrol engines have efficiency-enhancing cylinder deactivation technology; this shuts down one cylinder when you’re cruising gently and means, for example, that the 123bhp 1.0-litre average 58.8mpg and 108g/km of CO2 in official tests. That's in line with what Skoda and Volkswagen publish for the Octavia and Golf in 1.0 TSI form.

Entry-level Style models come with 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning and electric front and rear windows. However, we’d recommend you at least upgrade to the big-selling Zetec trim, because as well as the infotainment upgrades mentioned earlier, it brings cruise control and a heated windscreen.

The next rung on the ladder, ST Line, is also worth considering, because this has all of the above plus keyless start, aluminium pedals, sports seats, 17in wheels and more aggressive exterior styling.

Our pick, though, would be Titanium, which is still reasonably priced and extremely well equipped, getting power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control.

ST-Line X also has the majority of these features, along with sports suspension, 18in alloy wheels and the same sporty styling as the ST-Line. However, models even further up the range don’t look such good value.

According to our most recent survey, Ford’s reliability record is only average. The data – compiled from information supplied by you – placed the brand 18th out of the 31 represented, even if this current version of the Focus was too new to feature.

Ford’s standard warranty, meanwhile, lasts for three years or 36,000 miles. That’s on a par with what you get from Skoda, Vauxhall and Volkswagen, but nothing compared with Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited mileage warranty or Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile scheme. If you want that level of cover from Ford, you need to pay extra.

The crash-testers at Euro NCAP gave the latest Focus five stars, although if you look at the adult and child occupant protection scores, they weren’t quite as high as some of its rivals’.

You do, however, get lots of active safety aids, including automatic emergency braking (which recognises cars, pedestrians and cyclists) and lane-keeping assistance on all trims, while the reasonably priced Driver Assistance Pack adds traffic sign recognition, automatic main beam assist and adaptive cruise control.

The last of these systems is particularly clever, including steering assistance that works at motorway speeds and a function for automatic versions that can bring the car to a halt and move it off again in stop-start traffic. But it’s disappointing that you have to add a second pack to get blindspot warning as well.

All Focus Estate models come with a Thatcham Research category one alarm and immobiliser, mean the car is good at resisting being broken into and stolen.

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