#Back in focus review upgrade#

As for its rivals, spec for spec the Ford is more expensive than an equivalent Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai i30 or Kia Ceed by a few hundred pounds, sits just underneath the Honda Civic and Peugeot 308, but is a fair way below the Volkswagen Golf. Model for model, Estate versions cost $1400 more, and are available in all model variations, including the high-riding Active, making it a sort of miniature Audi A6 Allroad.

The crux is that it’s entirely possible in this day and age to specify a standard Ford Focus beyond $38,000, which is a lot of money to part with without a premium badge on the nose. Some of these features are also available as options on lesser models, but only the Vignale can be optioned with proper big-car tech like adaptive LED headlights and double-glazed front windows. Topping the range is the Vignale model, adding a heap of equipment, including LED headlights, leather interior trim, a head-up display, heated steering wheel and an upgraded B&O sound system. From here, both ST-Line and Titanium models can be upgraded to ST-Line X and Titanium X models, integrating partial leather trim and new alloys. Titanium models keep the standard styling, but add lots of convenience features like all-round parking sensors, heated seats, climate control and keyless entry, amongst other things.

#Back in focus review upgrade#

Upgrading from Style to Zetec will cost $1720 or so depending on the engine, adding alloy wheels, front fog lights, a heated windscreen, leather steering wheel, cruise control and that all-important dash top-mounted 8-inch touchscreen that keeps the interior from looking like a TV cabinet without a TV in it.Ī further $3520 over the Zetec will upgrade you to either ST-Line or Titanium models, both of which offer even more kit, the former adding sportier exterior styling, wheels and interior trim. The larger 1.5-litre, 150bhp and 184bhp options are also available further up the range, but aren’t available in entry Style or Zetec grades. An extra $450 will get you the friskier 99bhp model, and a further $640 will add another 25bhp to the total, taking it to 124bhp. Prices start at $23,400 for the entry-level 1-litre petrol five-door hatch model with 84bhp, but it’s sparsely specced, not to mention a lot of car to move around with not a lot of power. A hot ST model will follow next summer, and eventually an RS too, but for now let’s focus on the standard car, no pun intended (got it out of the way there). To approach this, the Focus has been stretched in every direction of the hatchback genre, with entry cars joined by sporty ST-Line, luxury Vignale and even pseudo SUV Active models. Four generations later, the all-new Focus may have the same mantra, but the market space it finds itself in has never been tougher.

The Ford Focus has been a family hatch stalwart for over 20 years now, replacing the iconic Escort with the sharp-looking and sharp-to-drive hatch that took the class by storm. Less clarity to the steering than the old model, odd styling Classic Focus ‘togetherness’ in the ride and handling, much better interior and ergonomics too