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Road Test
A firm favourite from Ford

We review the Ford Focus Eco Boost from price to economy and all its features

STOP the presses - the Ford Focus is better than the Porsche Cayenne.

Well, the heated seats warm up quicker than the Porsche's and that's about as far as it goes.

 All-rounder... The Focus appeals to all, and with good reason
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All-rounder... The Focus appeals to all, and with good reason

But it got your attention, right? Obviously it would be entirely unfair to compare the two cars.

As the Porsche was driven away last week, I wiped away the lone tear rolling down my cheek to see the 1.5-litre Focus, in gun-metal grey, turning the corner.

I felt sorry for it. How can a car worth £20,000 follow the mighty Cayenne, which I count as one of the best I've ever driven? But you know what, I needn't have worried.

There's a reason the Focus is the UK's second best-selling car — beaten only by the Fiesta. Touché, Ford. It's because those boys in Brentwood have created the ultimate catch-all car.

Aside from families with eight kids, or weirdos who live out of their boot, there's a Ford Focus for everyone.

This one here, the 1.5-litre Turbo EcoBoost, has been the perfect machine to have parked outside — ready to run to the shops, pick buzz about town.

On the motorway the modest turbo is more than enough to deliver comfort and stop the German outside-lane hoggers from getting their bully on.

 Smart... The heated seats were impressive, as is the rest of the dash
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Smart... The heated seats were impressive, as is the rest of the dash

The engine itself is interesting, being an unusual 1.5-litre turbo, which Ford says outperforms the traditional 1.6 across the board.

It's nippier and more fuel efficient, boxing off 0-60 in about eight seconds and boasting a combined MPG nudging 52.

It certainly doesn't feel slow, even after my Porsche adventure.

Inside, it's the quality you would expect from such a trusted brand.

Touch-screen navigation and entertainment, dual climate, rear park assist ... and those heated seats, man they're quick.

I thought I'd had an accident at first, as my trouser area superheated in seconds.

 

 Special?... Trouble is, they're so popular everyone drives one
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Special?... Trouble is, they're so popular everyone drives one

The problem with the Focus, and any car which sells in the region of 85,000 units a year, is it's not going to make you feel special.

From the inside, sure it's a great car, fun to drive and ticks all the boxes. And it looks great, after a cheeky nip, tuck and facelift here and there — Aston Martin grill included.

But try finding where you parked it in Asda at 8 o'clock on a Friday evening, especially when you can't remember the number plate.

Ford has thought of that, though. As I say, there's a Focus for everyone. If you want some street-cred on Basildon high street, the new and improved STis a sure-fire hit.

You'll be the toast of McDonald's car park.

If you really want to stand out, you're going to have to wait until the mighty RS arrives next year.

Key Facts

  • Price: £26,150
  • Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
  • Economy: 51.6 mpg (com)
  • 0-62mph: 8.6 secs
  • Top speed: 138mph
  • Length: 4.4m
  • Turning circle: 11m
  • Other: 127g/km
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