• Five engines are available
• No plug-in hybrid or electric option
• Excellent six-speed manual gearbox

Petrol engines

Ford has simplified the Focus’s engine range with the facelift. Now, there are just three versions of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine available, two of which feature mild-hybrid assistance.

The cheapest option is a non-electrically assisted version of the unit, which produces 125hp. Performance isn’t exactly sparkling but, because it’s turbocharged, you don’t need to thrash the engine to get up to speed. 

Above that, there’s a mild hybrid version of the same engine, which generates the same amount of power but has slightly better fuel economy. At the top of the standard car’s range, there’s a 155hp version of the engine which is quicker but slightly less responsive than the lower-power model.

Every 1.0-litre unit requires you to work the six-speed manual gearbox often to keep the engine spinning quickly enough to stay in its power band. However, this isn’t a bad thing, as Ford manual transmission is up there with the best in the business, offering a slick shift.

If none of these engines offer enough poke for your needs, you can step up again to the Focus ST hot hatchback. This is powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces a meaty 280hp and 420Nm of torque – enough to sprint from 0–62mph in 5.7 seconds.

Diesel engines

If you want a diesel-powered Ford Focus, there’s still one option available for now. It’s a 120hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit – and, while it isn’t as sweet as the petrols, it’s a little more relaxing if you let the 300Nm of torque do most of the work for you.

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Ford used to offer the Focus with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel unit, but that was killed off for the facelift. It’s responsive at low revs, but it starts to run out of steam when worked hard. Those with a heavy foot may find themselves constantly pinning the accelerator – even if there’s more than enough to get the Focus up to speed in a timely fashion.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Superb handling and driveability
• Easy to drive around town
• Ride quality is very impressive
  

Superb handling has always been a hallmark of the Ford Focus – and we’re happy to report that the latest model is no exception. There are two rear suspension set-ups to choose from, with a basic setup on the majority of the models and an upgraded multi-link one fitted to higher-spec ST-Line and ST models.

The standard set-up is excellent. There’s a beautifully judged balance between composure and stiffness in the chassis, meaning even the bumpiest of Britain’s B-roads won’t be able to unsettle the Focus during an enthusiastic drive. The steering is well weighted and it’s sharp and accurate, too.

The upgraded multi-link set-up makes the Focus one of the best-handling cars in the medium-sized hatchback class, with even better body control and ride quality. The steering on all models is well-weighted, sharp and accurate. You don’t feel an exceptional amount of what’s going on at the wheels through the steering wheel, but it’s no worse than in its rivals.

All Ford Focus models come fitted with a drive mode selector with three different settings – Normal, Sport and Eco. Cars fitted with adaptive dampers also feature Comfort and Comfort Eco settings, while the off-road focussed Active model gets an off-road function. Each mode tweaks the accelerator sensitivity, steering weighting, gearbox (automatic only) and adaptive cruise control (when fitted) settings.