Aligning the autos
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The Ford Focus has been one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the UK since its introduction in 1998. Now in its fourth generation, the Focus is a more complete product than ever, and while it’s gradually slipped down the sales tables, it remains one of the best family hatchbacks you can buy. It’s still hugely popular too, and that means a wide choice of models on the used market.
Going head-to-head with cars like the Volkswagen Golf, Focus strengths include intuitive handling, a generous level of equipment, good value, and a sensibly-designed cabin. A facelift in 2022 made the Focus even better, so if you’ve got the budget, these models are well worth hunting down.
All those Ford Focus buyers can’t be wrong. Ford’s brand recognition and huge dealer network have no doubt helped the Focus sell so well over all those years, but it’s also just a great family hatchback, one that doesn’t cost a great deal to run, happily fits a family of four, and can even entertain the driver on a good road now and then.
The latest car has been around since 2018 and was facelifted in 2022. The facelift models are slightly more appealing than earlier cars, the main upgrade being to the car’s infotainment touchscreen, but otherwise it’s fundamentally the same car, with a similar engine lineup, and decent levels of equipment for the money.
For interior space and boot volume there are bigger and better cars in the class, but unless you’re home to a family of giants then most people shouldn’t struggle for head and legroom, and the 375-litre boot should be enough for most purposes. Later cars have interior quality improvements but the Focus feels nicely built, and all are good to drive - think slick gearboxes, punchy engines, and neat, intuitive handling with a suitably supple ride.
While SUVs are beginning to steal sales from conventional hatchbacks like the Focus, this is still a busy class: you could consider everything from the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, to the Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, Honda Civic, Kia Ceed, and Hyundai i30, among others. Few drive quite as well as the Focus but some offer better interior quality, more space, or a wider range of hybrid engines.
For maximum fun, the obvious answer here is the Focus ST, with its 280PS engine and uprated chassis - and it’s just as practical as any other model in the range. With our more sensible hats on, then you’ll be best served by a post-2022 facelift model, which got improvements to interior quality and the infotainment system, plus slightly classier exterior styling. There’s no hardship in going for an older model either, and either of the mild hybrid engines and mid-range trim (Titanium or ST-Line) are the sweet spot for performance, economy, and equipment.
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Ford offers the Focus in a wide range of trim levels. The company has also changed these trim levels over time so the list below is by no means comprehensive for what you’ll find on the used market, but should give you a good idea of what’s available.
The Ford Focus’ exterior dimensions are:
The Ford Focus’ boot size is:
The latest Focus arrived in 2018, which means all current Focus models are subject to a fixed rate of VED or ‘road tax’. For the 2024/2025 tax year, that means a bill of £190 per year for petrol and diesel models (including the ST), or £10 less for hybridised versions. On the off-chance you find a Focus that cost more than £40,000 brand new - so some very highly-specced Focus STs - that tax burden increases to £600 a year, until the seventh year of registration.
At the bottom of the range you’ll find the Focus Trend in group 13 with the Ecoboost petrol engine, or group 14 with a diesel engine. Upgrading to Titanium spec and the 155PS petrol and you’re up to group 16, while at the top of the range the Focus ST sits in group 34. This is very similar to other cars in the class, so insuring a Focus shouldn’t be much different to insuring a VW Golf or Peugeot 308, for instance.
£16,099
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How many Ford Focus cars are available for sale?
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