IN THIS FEATURE Buying Guide Ford Focus Vauxhall Astra Ford Fiesta Mk4 and Mk5 Vauxhall Corsa Peugeot 206 Ford Mondeo Renault Clio Renault Megane (1996-03) Volkswagen Golf Vauxhall Vectra Citroen Xsara

Small family car
Introduced: 1998
Bodystyles: Three- and five-door hatchback, estate
Prices: from £3500; estates from £4000, upgraded 2002 models from £6000, TDCi from £7000

4car rating:

The Focus is: Britain's best-selling new and used car for a reason. Range spans workaday 1.4 and 1.6 petrol models to the high-performance ST170 and RS hot hatches, but even the entry-level models are fun to drive. Most buyers opt for the practical hatchbacks, but the estate is roomy enough to tempt family motorists away from a compact MPV. The Focus scored well in a Which? report on customer satisfaction and reliability, though it doesn't tend to do well in the JD Power survey.

For: Handling, road-holding, roomy cabin, smooth ride, easy to drive and own
Against: Cabin quality improved on newest cars, but lower-spec models still feel cheap; loads of them around; doesn't feel quite as solid as a VW Golf, low equipment levels on entry-level models
Sum up: Seems like an obvious choice, but you could hardly go wrong with a Focus

Model rundown and history
Entry-level CL models have driver and passenger front airbags, power steering, central locking, front electric windows, radio/cassette. LX models have upgraded trim and electric mirrors. Options include metallic paint, ABS brakes (a must-have), side airbags, air conditioning, and alloy wheels. Sporty-finish Zetec models have alloys; top-spec Ghia versions have air conditioning and plush trim, with the option of leather seats and satellite navigation. 2002- models have revised headlights and front bumpers, slightly upgraded cabins and were offered with more options, such as xenon headlamps, ESP and telematics systems, and twin airbags are standard on all 2003 cars. Popular special editions include Silver, Black and Flight.

Focuses to buy: Cars with full service history only - there's so many around you can afford to be choosy.
Focuses to avoid: High-mileage, scruffy ex-rental cars with missing history and/or lots of owners. Thrashed/trashed ST170s and - when they come on the market - RSs. Smoky diesels.
Look out for: erratic idling and stalling, which indicates engine management problems, poor brakes, chipped, scuffed and damaged paint, general quality niggles and loose/damaged interior trim.

Buying the best Focus: There are plenty of Ford-approved used cars at dealers, but they tend to be pricey. Instead, look at the car supermarkets and independents for cheaper cars, or if you're feeling brave, a lot of good ones come up at auction and in private classified ads.

Engines and performance:Petrol:1.4 (75bhp): 106mph, 0-60 14.1 sec, 42.8mpg
1.6 (100bhp): 115mph, 0-60 10.9 sec, 40.9mpg
1.8 (115bhp): 123mph, 0-60 10.2 sec, 37.2mpg
2.0 (130bhp): 125mph, 0-60 9.2 sec, 32.8mpg
ST170 (173bhp): 134mph, 0-60 8.2 sec, 31mpg
RS (210bhp): 144mph, 0-60 6.4 sec, n/ampg
Diesel:1.8 TDi/TDdi (90bhp): 114mph, 0-60 12.4 sec, 52.3mpg
1.8 TDCi (100bhp): 115mph, 0-60 11.6 sec, 53.3mpg
1.8 TDCi 115 (115bhp): 122mph, 0-60 10.7 sec, 51.4mpg