Ford Focus 1.4-Litre Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Ford Focus 1.4-litre range
Prices: £14,645-£14,945 - on the road
Insurance Group: 4
Emissions: 159g/km
Performance: Max Speed 102mph / 0-60mph 14.1s
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 42.8mpg
Safety: Twin front airbags, ABS with brake assist
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4342/1840/1447

SHARPLY FOCUSED

Our Rating: 7.4 / 10

The entry-level models in Ford’s Focus line-up use 1.4-litre petrol power. Steve Ghosley takes a look at their credentials…

There wasn’t very much wrong with the original Ford Focus, so it must have been a daunting task for the designers to come up with an improved model. Having set the bench mark for the sector with the first Focus, the competition didn’t take long in responding, so Ford needed to move the game on with the current generation. That car has since been facelifted and today’s Focus certainly looks the part but does the entry-level 1.4-litre model we look at here have enough about it to cut the mustard?

This Focus certainly looks good value for money. The 78bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine is not going to set any land speed records but then purchasers of this entry level model have other priorities when selecting their cars. What they do get, is a class-leading family hatchback that drives with nearly all the refinement of any luxury saloon and certainly handles a lot better. Ford have also paid close attention to safety with the new Focus as it features their Intelligent Protection System.

This comprehensive package of safety measures includes ESP stability control as well as front and side airbags for both driver and front passenger. There are also front seat belt pre-tensioners, front seat belt load-limiting retractors and a foot pedal intrusion prevention system. It is amazing how far we have come over recent years with regard to safety. It is not that long ago that technology like this would only have been offered on a top of the range executive model whereas now it is standard equipment on an entry level family hatch.

Ford’s tried and trusted 1.4-litre petrol unit will get the new Focus to 62mph in a leisurely 14.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 102mph. More importantly for this car though is the fuel consumption that returns a healthy 42mpg on the combined cycle and the reasonable emissions figure of 159g/km.

This 1.4-litre model is only offered in three or five-door Hatch form with prices starting from around £14,500 for the Studio trim level 3-door model. This features electrically-operated front windows with one-touch lowering on the driver’s side, Ford’s Intelligent Protection system, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, an immobiliser and central locking.

Benefiting from Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ approach to styling, the latest Focus takes its inspiration from its larger Mondeo stablemate. Trapezoidal grilles, swept back headlamps, bolder wheel arches, re-shaped rear glass, a contoured tailgate and smarter tail lamps are the key changes. Higher trim grades benefit from chrome detailing and a stylish, body-coloured upper rear spoiler.

Inside, the more upmarket aura continues. Nicer soft-touch plastics now cover the instrument panel as well as the upper front door trim and this is complemented by plusher seat fabrics plus a variety of more attractive fascia finishings. The instrumentation has been re-designed too and, along with all other interior controls, is illuminated in red. Controls for the upgraded audio equipment and two-zone air conditioning have also been ergonomically improved.

Ford were the first of the major manufacturers to realise that people were growing in size – both out and up – and designed the original Focus to suit drivers of all sizes with wider opening doors and more headroom than the class norm. This latest Focus expands on this theme, offering an optional electrically adjustable pedal set. The multi-adjustable steering column helps in ensuring a comfortable driving position and Ford have integrated a number of practical aspects from the C-MAX mini-MPV including a glove box big enough to house a 1.5-litre bottle, a sunglasses holder, a dash-top cubby and class-leading luggage space.

Although it seems hard to believe given that almost coupe-like silhouette, the MK2 Focus design actually improved on the rear seat accommo