Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £12,795 to £21,445
Excellent dynamics, comfortable, safe and good range of low CO2 engines.
Korean competition offers better value.
Leads the class for drive, but not for value.
For the 2008 revisions Ford thankfully left the underpinnings that contribute to the Focus being such an accomplished car well alone.
The revised model still offers the very best drive in the business: handling is sharp and grip levels high, with enough feedback and adjustability to satisfy an enthusiast without compromising the ride for those who care less about B-roads and more about a comfy commute.
A sport suspension is available as part of an optional Sport Pack, but expect it to compromise the supple ride - we would recommend avoiding it.
There's little weakness in performance in either the petrol or diesel engine range.
The majority of customers will opt for petrols: we would recommend you try the willing 113bhp 1.6-litre before you get seduced by the greater 143bhp output of the 2.0-litre, which is a little coarse when stretched and doesn't feel quite so enthusiastic compared with the smaller unit.
Ditto the diesel range: the vocal 134bhp TDCi 2.0-litre is a little quieter, thanks to more sound deadening, but still lacks the willingness of the excellent 108bhp 1.6 TDCi range.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Ford Focus
wrote on 05 10 2007
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