We review the Ford Focus Mk2 (2007) from price to economy and all its features
THE Ford Focus has been the best-selling car the UK from 1999 to 2006 - and it's expected to top the pile again this year.This phenomenal UK favourite has just been given a whole new look.
To understand the sales success of the Focus, you need to realise that more than one in 20 new cars sold in the UK is a Focus.
After just nine years it’s well on its way to overtaking Ford’s legendary Escort.
Ford sold 4.6million Escorts between 1968 and 2000 but the Focus has clocked up 1,160,496 - and counting - in just nine years.
And while the Escort reached 12million sales worldwide, the Focus has passed
5million in less than a third of the time, in a market that is much more competitive and crowded than when the Escort was in its prime.
This is why Ford have given the Focus something closer to open heart surgery than a nip-and-tuck midlife facelift.
Every exterior panel except the roof has been changed on the new version that goes on sale in January.
You only need to look at the front to realise where Ford’s designers got their inspiration - this is a Mini Me version of the new Mondeo that earned rave reviews for its styling. Ford design boss Martin Smith believes that giving the Focus the Mondeo treatment makes the new car the best-looking version yet. I have to agree with him.
It’s also the classiest and sportiest, with the bold double grille, swept-back headlights and flared wheel arches giving the Focus a much more athletic stance.
The changes at the rear are a lot more subtle, with new tail lights - including the option of LED - and a reshaped bumper and tailgate.
Ford were criticised for being too conservative when they brought in the second generation Focus, although the more subdued styling has proved just as popular with buyers. But there is no doubt that the latest version is a far sexier looking beast. It also takes a step up inside, with comprehensive changes that match those made outside.
Newly-designed instruments and a smart centre console adapted from the new Mondeo and S-Max not only give the Focus a much sportier feel, they are also easier to use as they are illuminated in red.
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The instrument panel and upper door trims are made of a new soft-touch synthetic material that raises the quality standard even higher. Ford have also developed a new range of contrasting colours for the trim to brighten the cabin.
Buyers will also appreciate additional premium touches such as a digital radio, a flat-tyre detector, a “power” starter button on some models and a very handy “easyfuel” cap-less refuelling system that stops you putting in diesel instead of petrol or vice versa. And it should be harder to tell if you are in a diesel because Ford engineers have been working on fuel economy and performance as well as boosting the sound insulation.
The new Focus will get an improved range of petrol and diesel engines with lower CO2 emissions, which will be particularly noticeable in the all-new ECOnetic diesel. This has class-leading CO2 of only 115g/km and excellent fuel economy of 65.6mpg.
The Focus has always been the family hatchback with the best handling and Ford say that, with the engine improvements, the new driving package is even better.So unlike the rest of us starting to feel we’re getting on a bit, the Focus will be actually enjoying its midlife crisis by enjoying a whole new lease of life.
That will be great news for the vast army of Focus fans in the UK when the car hits showrooms in January. I don’t expect to see big increases in prices. The new model could merit higher prices but the market is too competitive so they will start at less than £12,000 for the 1.4litre Studio version.
Three-door, five-door and estate versions will arrive first, followed in 2008 by the coupe/cabriolet, four-door saloon and ST performance models.
Ford’s European Boss John Fleming says the Focus is “a very special car for Ford”. For once, that’s a fact, not marketing hype.
What to look out for when buying a used Ford Focus Mk 2
Petrol-engined Focuses are more reliable than their diesel equivalents. The former can suffer from failed dual-mass flywheels, cracked intercooler pipes and troublesome particulate filters. Estate cars can also suffer from load bay leaks because of duff tailgate hinge seals – all versions can also be afflicted by leaky windscreen seals, so check for water in the footwells.
A tally of 16 recalls won’t inspire confidence, especially as none of them is for minor issues – although three relate to the coupé-cabrio only. Also, some recalls centre on specific variations on the Focus theme.
Potential glitches include leaking fuel pipes, overheating wiper motors and rear hub bolts working their way loose, while other problems centre on the cooling system, power steering leaks and failure of the brake servo.
The last four recalls, issued between August 2010 and November 2012, were because of the engine cooling fan potentially overheating and catching fire.