New Ford Focus 2018: presentation and road test of a benchmark compact

Twenty years ago, back in 1998, the first generation of the Ford Focus arrived, a compact that was a revolution within the oval brand and that remains to this day a true benchmark in the market. But after three generations the American firm has decided to change radically in this fourth generation, creating a completely new Ford Focus: with aesthetic changes, a new platform and a huge array of technology.

If you are looking for a compact with a restrained price that doesn’t give up anything, with a proven range of petrol engines and technology more typical of other segments, then this Ford Focus 2018 is without doubt worth your attention.

Design: New exterior and interior design language, much more spacious

Outside, the new Ford Focus debuts a new design language in line with what we have already seen on the Fiesta, with a more aggressive, more muscular front and totally redesigned headlights that can feature LED technology for all lighting functions. The rear also stands out for its angular lines, with the “Focus” name prominent between the headlights, which stretch out to outline the side of the car.

That said, the dimensions barely change compared with the current model, but what does change is the platform — called C2 — which, besides being stiffer and lighter, also offers a greater track width, de facto increasing interior space.

Inside, without doubt what stands out most is the sense of space. It is surprising how well the new platform suits it, especially the rear seats, which have nothing to envy from a saloon in legroom. The dashboard has also been completely redesigned, now with the touchscreen in an elevated position and the controls concentrated, eliminating much of the buttons the previous generation had and creating a much simpler yet functional design (a real success once we are behind the wheel). We were also pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the finishes, with quality materials in most areas and good fit.

As already happens with other models from the brand, there will be several versions with differentiated exterior finishes: Vignale (the most premium finish), Active (arriving at year end and is the SUV finish with 30 mm more ride height), ST-Line (the sportiest) and Titanium (an old acquaintance in the range). The novelty in the lineup is that for the first time there will be a Ford Focus SUV, with front-wheel drive, but with an SUV look and even greater ground clearance.

Engine range: Three diesels and four Ecoboost petrols. We tested the 1.5 Ecoboost 182 CV

The engine range of the new Ford Focus will consist of three diesel engines and four petrol engines, plus the option of a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. The diesels will be the 1.5 ECOBLUE with 95 CV and 120 CV, plus the 2.0 ECOBLUE with 150 CV.

In petrol, the Ecoboost range starts with the 1.0 Ecoboost 100 CV or 125 CV, plus the 1.5 Ecoboost 150 CV or 182 CV. We specifically tested this last version, the 182 CV petrol in a Ford Focus SW, surprising with the smoothness of the powertrain, revving freely and delivering power in a smooth and linear way, while also being a quite performance-oriented engine.

The response of the Focus SW also surprised us: although it is not a sporty bodywork, it behaved nobly on a route full of bends that Ford Spain had prepared for us. The combination of the engine’s smooth yet forceful response, together with the stability of the bodywork, results in a car with noble, comfortable reactions. What does stand out above average is the level of interior soundproofing, even on the motorway, more typical of a higher-segment vehicle.

Technological arsenal and commitment to safety

Besides debuting the platform, another of the most notable changes to the new Ford Focus is the safety equipment it incorporates, many systems previously unseen on the brand or even in the Focus segment.

On safety it has achieved the famous five EuroNCAP stars under the current standard, but it also incorporates the Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of systems with level 2 autonomous driving. Systems such as automatic emergency braking, also capable of recognising pedestrians and cyclists, also fit rear cross-traffic alert (with braking function in case of collision) and adaptive high beams (Full-LED).

Another element of the Ford Co-Pilot 360 is the traffic sign reader, which combines with adaptive cruise control, being able to automatically adapt speed to road signs (for example, on the motorway travelling at 120 km/h, if it detects a 100 km/h zone it automatically adjusts the speed). These systems are completed by lane keeping assist that actively keeps the car within the lane lines. The cruise control even has a stop-and-go function in traffic jams, allowing it to resume driving only when the car ahead moves off.

Finally, in terms of technology it incorporates the new Ford PassConnect, an in-car modem responsible for monitoring and alerting emergency services in the event of an accident, in addition to providing wifi to occupants and real-time traffic status. These functions are complemented by the Ford app, which offers all kinds of information about the car.

Prices of the Ford Focus 2018

The price of the new Ford Focus 2018 starts at 19,575 euros (without campaign or discounts) for the 100 CV petrol engine, while the 95 CV diesel starts at 21,075 euros. Although it is always advisable to ask at an official dealership about the current discount campaign, which will undoubtedly considerably reduce the Focus’s starting price.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and Ford Spain

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackFord Focus19 versions · from 31,034 €