FORD continues to dominate the UK car market and its Ford Focus Estate is an excellent example of the reasons why.
Engineered to a very high standard with an excellent range of engines and loads of space within a versatile and practical package the Ford Focus Estate is also reasonably priced and inexpensive to run.
All Ford Focus Estate models have remote central locking, air conditioning, electric windows and CD sound systems with the single exception of the entry-level Studio version which does not have air con and makes do with non-remote central locking.
There is, however, the convenience of split-folding rear seats and manual height adjustment for the driver’s seat on all. Most models come with alloy wheels and there are extra-cost options of metallic paint, cruise control, electric sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation and parking sensors. Automatic transmission is a £1,000 option on 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol models.
The Ford Focus Estate gets top marks for safety from EuroNCAP with a five-star rating for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection. There are front, side and curtain air bags, ESP Electronic Stability Programme and three-point seat belts all round. Sensors to aid safe parking are available as an option on all models at £200. Emissions of CO2 are as low as 114g/km in the case of the 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic and are just 118g/km and 119g/km for the standard 1.6 TDCi 90 and 1.6 TDCi 110 models. The petrol models have CO2 figures ranging from 159g/km to 167g/km whilst the figure for the 2.0 TDCi is 147g/km.
The Ford Focus Estate petrol and diesel engines are 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6-litre petrol unit develops 98bhp for a top speed of 112mph, a 0-60mph time of 12.2 seconds and economy of 42.2mpg. The figures for the 1.8 are 123bhp, 123mph, 10.5 seconds and 40.3mpg. Those for the 2.0 are 143bhp, 128mph, 9.4 seconds and 39.8mpg. The 1.6-litre diesel unit comes in two stages of tune with a choice of 90bhp and 110bhp power outputs. The former has a torque figure of 158lb/ft, a top speed of 110mph, a 0-60mph acceleration time of 12.9 seconds and economy of 62.7mpg. In the case of the 110bhp version the figures are 177lb/ft, 117mph, 11.1 seconds with identical economy of 62.7mpg. Torque rises to 206lb/ft for the 1.8 TDCi, which has a power output of 113bhp, a top speed of 118mph, a 0-60mph time of 10.9 seconds and economy averaging 53.2mpg. The most powerful diesel model is the 2.0 TDCi, which generates 138bhp and 236lb/ft of torque, or pulling power. This translates into a top speed of 126mph with acceleration to 60mph in 9.5 seconds and economy of 50.4mpg. The towing capacity ranges from 1200kg to 1500kg and the cargo area is 503 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,546 litres with them folded flat.
The entry model is the Focus Estate 1.6 Studio, which also comes in Style and Zetec guises with progressive price increases of £500. There is also a Titanium version costing £17,445. The 1.8-litre Style is £16,445 followed by the Zetec and Titanium costing £17,195 and £17,945. Three 1.8-litre Flexi Fuel models are offered – the Style, Zetec and Titanium with prices of £16,445, £17,195 and £17,945. The final petrol model is the 2.0-litre, which comes in a choice of Zetec and Titanium trim and equipment levels with prices of £17,695 and £18,445.
There are three diesel units and four power outputs starting with the 1.6 TDCi 90, which costs £15,445 rising to £16,945 for the Style model and £16,895 for the high-efficiency ECOnetic model. There is then a more powerful 110bhp 1.6 TDCi costing £17,445 in Style guise and £18,195 as the Zetec. The ECOnetic version is £17,695 and the Titanium is £18,945. Prices of the 1.8 TDCi start at £17,445 for the Style, with Zetec and Titanium models costing £18,195 and £18,945. The 2.0 TDCi costs £18,945 in Zetec trim and £19,695 as the Titanium.
There are three diesel units and four power outputs starting with the 1.6 TDCi 90, which costs £15,445 rising to £16,945 for the Style model and £16,895 for the high-efficiency ECOnetic model. There is then a more powerful 110bhp 1.6 TDCi costing £17,445 in Style guise and £18,195 as the Zetec. The ECOnetic version is £17,695 and the Titanium is £18,945. Prices of the 1.8 TDCi start at £17,445 for the Style, with Zetec and Titanium models costing £18,195 and £18,945. The 2.0 TDCi costs £18,945 in Zetec trim and £19,695 as the Titanium.