Louth Motors: Ford Focus review

There is nothing so rewarding as sinking into a pair of old slippers or sitting onto the sofa in your parents' home. The familiarity enhances the experience and brings joy. And so it was with the Ford Focus that I drove recently. The familiarity began with the gear stick, it was a manual. Next it was a hatchback and not a crossover, SUV or pseudo-SUV.

It had a petrol engine and associated tank that I didn't have to think about how and when I'd replenish it. When I started it and drove it away for the first time my motoring muscle memory was on a high and I savoured the pure joy of just driving.

The Ford Focus is a perfectly honed family car that at this stage is about as good as it gets. You can get it in petrol or diesel, with different power outputs and you can also go automatic or choose an estate body.

There is a combination for every family's / business person's needs. It is the epitome of an all-rounder and you don't have to make compromises if you buy one. Word is that the Focus might not be replaced with the ever higher seating demands of buyers cited as the cause. That's a real shame as you get so much more enjoyment in the hatchback.

And I wonder what powertrains will be in any new Focus with the relentless drive to electrify all our transport?

The Focus manages a very neat trick. From the very first model back in 1998 to this 4th generation version, it has always been a good-looking car. The best angle is from the side and the squat down look of the rear communicates a sense of potency. The interior is quite sharp nowadays with the dominant central infotainment display grabbing all attention.

In a good way mind, as the graphics and clarity are probably the best you can get at this price level. The driver's all display is equally as impressive again with that clarity and a beautiful blue hue.

In my ST-Line X version you get wonderful leather seats with beautiful stitching and the layout and touch and feel of everything is top quality. The accountants must have been kept away from any decision on spend for this car as there isn't an area where I saw a quality shortfall. Not that there should be in a car with a price tag of €36,347 – the entry model is €32,541.

That all-round appeal is dented at these prices and the Focus is now not an option for a lot of people that it was for before. Passenger space is generous, and my backseat passengers had no complaints when they were in there. The boot is 375 litres which I'd classify as adequate.

I took it out for a long spin on my own around the Dublin Mountains just to experience that wonderful chassis. The Focus has always excelled in the driving dynamics department and continues to do so. Under the bonnet was a 125PS 3-cylinder ecoboost engine that tries its best to deliver its best at every rev setting.

You have three power settings Eco, Normal and Sport. I admit I could not resist using the Sport mode most of the time for that added immediacy of power. Normal is fine and for in and around town driving this should be the default setting.

The power feels readily available, and is. The joy you get when dropping a gear for a sharp bend to be perfectly placed to drive out if it is so, so good. The steering feel is so communicative, and you never have any doubts about how the car is performing with feedback that fells hardwired into your hands and arms. This is the same regardless of exuberance or sedateness. I recorded a fuel return of 8.1l/100km mainly due to the Sport setting, I'm sure - the long term average was 7.1l/100km.

The Focus is one of those cars that is kind of classless. There is a version at the entry level that is relatively affordable, or you can go up through the trims and get the bells and the whistles as well with the associated euro premium.
What everyone will get though is a car that is a joy to drive, is very comfortable, smooth and rewards like those slippers and sofa. But for how long will we have it and how long will it have an exhaust pipe? Interesting times ahead.