by The new, fourth-generation Ford Focus is a complete modernization of the model, designed to provide a new level of technology, refinement, efficiency, and spaciousness while retaining the comfort and sporty spirit of the previous three iterations. 
The appearance of the Focus combines features of the outgoing car with design elements from the smaller Fiesta
Ford Focus is one of the best-selling cars in the world: over 16 million units of the model, the successor to the Escort, have been produced in 20 years. Right from the start, it earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic cars in the compact class. This strong point of the Focus helps the model stand out in a market segment that is more competitive than ever. Alongside long-time rivals like the VW Golf/Jetta, Opel Astra, and Honda Civic, the Focus fends off attacks from the Renault Megane, Peugeot 308, and SEAT Leon.
Additionally, there is the spacious Skoda Octavia, the global bestseller Toyota Corolla, as well as the Mazda 3, Kia Ceed, and Hyundai i30, while expensive models like the Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1 Series, and Audi A3 are also on Ford’s radar. As always, the Focus is available as a five-door hatchback, sedan, or station wagon. In the format of our test specimen, the competition is already smaller – among sedans, we only have the Opel Astra, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Fiat Tipo available. 
The Focus has great proportions, although there is nothing revolutionary here
Ford was cautious regarding the style of Focus #4. It is clearly an evolution of the old car with design elements from the smaller Fiesta at the front.
In profile, the extended wheelbase by 50 mm is striking – the distance between the axles is now the largest ever available for the Focus. The power in the versions supplied to Ukraine comes from 1.0- and 1.5-liter gasoline engines or a 1.5-liter diesel. Units with 1.5 L are standardly equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, while a 6-speed “automatic” is available for the gasoline engine, and the 1.0-liter is offered by default with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All Focus models feature front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel-drive modification is also expected to appear. In the future, there will also be a 48-volt “mild” hybrid, whereas there are currently no plans to replace the previous generation Focus Electric.
In dealer showrooms, the model range is represented in four trims: Trend, Trend Edition, Business, and ST-Line. The pseudo-crossover Focus Active is available in two versions, and the sporty Focus ST will be released soon. Trend versions (from 448,400 UAH) are equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, automatic halogen headlights, air conditioning, driving mode selection, electric windows and mirrors, while the dashboard has a small 4.2-inch color display. It increases to 8 inches on the Trend Edition and gets the Ford SYNC 3 multimedia system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto protocols. The Trend Edition package (from 518,000 UAH) also includes alloy wheels, climate control, heated steering wheel, front seats and windshield, and cruise control.
For Business (from 546,400 UAH), there is additionally a start-stop system, cruise control, automatic wipers, keyless entry, and a rearview camera. 
The Focus has two rear suspension configurations, depending on which engine is chosen. Relatively simple torsion beams are used in the models delivered to us. The multi-link system will have to wait for the sale of the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, 2.0-liter diesel, or ST version. It is worth reminding that some of the main competitors of the Focus (especially the Golf) also have a similar split in the model lineup.
In any case, this should not worry buyers too much because, regardless of the suspension configuration, Focus is once again the most dynamic family car among its kind. Start your journey in the city, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the car responds to steering. But that doesn’t mean it’s nervous on the highway – Focus doesn’t deviate from its trajectory randomly and almost doesn’t require steering adjustments to maintain course. 
The steering control is exemplary direct, which, combined with a stiffer chassis and reinforced suspension mounting points to the body, gives the drive of the Focus incredible excitement. You simply direct the nose in the desired direction, and the car cuts corners with undisguised pleasure.
And when you find a more winding section of road, the Focus throws out its strongest cards. The settings of the electric power steering are some of the best you’ll find in family cars, so you’ll very quickly learn to rely on the front axle of the Focus. 
The body doesn’t sit too low to the ground, so the dynamic ride isn’t achieved at the expense of suspension travel limitations. In addition, Focus absorbs comfortably and only the optional 17-inchers roll hard. Meanwhile, although the 8-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter is not without flaws, it operates very smoothly and is a much more comfortable unit than the predecessor Powershift with its two clutches.
The basis of the EcoBoost gasoline lineup is the 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, installed in the test specimen and offered in a 125-horsepower version. The unit has earned many awards for its combination of performance, refinement, and practicality, and it leaves nothing to be desired in the latest version of the Focus. It might not be stunningly fast, but it noticeably picks up at low revs and unleashes all its power somewhere after 2250 rpm, rewarding with decent progress in most driving requests, and it sounds quite cheerful. It shows its best qualities in city rides and highway trips, where it discreetly retreats to the background, immersed in the depth of sound insulation along with most road noise. 
EcoBoost is standardly equipped with a system for disabling one cylinder at low loads to save fuel.
The process of reactivation is so smooth that this transition cannot be felt. But it can be seen on the fuel gauge – the start-stop system, eight speeds in the transmission, and cylinder deactivation, as well as the lightweight body collectively squeeze the appetite to 7.2 L/100 km in urban mode and to 5.4 L – on the highway. 
The interior also reflects the new models of the brand and looks less cluttered, with a less protruding center console. The build quality, appearance of the materials, and tactile sensations are pretty good to compete on an equal footing in its class (possibly without delivering a crushing blow to the VW Golf and Mazda 3), although the plastic in the lower part of the cabin and on the rear doors is hard and looks cheap. The Focus dashboard is simple and not cluttered with buttons and controls.
The controls for climate and radio, to the owners’ pleasure, have not transitioned to virtual buttons on a touch screen, which often get lost in the depths of the multimedia system menu. 
The latter is available in two screen sizes – 6.5 inches or 8 inches, but only a larger version is delivered to Ukraine. The screen is installed directly at the top center of the dashboard. Its style of a floating tablet no longer looks like the latest fashion trend and may not appeal to everyone, but its location is such that the driver doesn’t need to look too far away from the road to read key information or change radio stations. The Sync 3 system responds quickly to commands and also has a fairly simple interface with large buttons.
Importantly, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, even if your Focus specification doesn’t have navigation, you can connect your smartphone’s system via a USB port and get voice search and real-time traffic updates. 
One of the biggest issues of the predecessor was the lack of interior space, so Ford went back to the drawing board and increased the wheelbase by over five centimeters. This and some changes in cabin configuration are meant to improve space inside, as well as luggage space. As a result, there is a living space that is quite suitable for 1.80-meter passengers even for long journeys. In the center of the rear seat, there is even room for a third passenger, and their legs are quite comfortable on the sides of the compact tunnel in the floor.
Under the floor of the trunk is a compact spare wheel
Ford Focus has a length of 4647 mm, meaning it is 1 mm short of the Honda Civic (4648 mm), shorter than the Mazda 3 (4660 mm), but longer than the Toyota Corolla (4630 mm). Ford used this extra length so that the addition of space in the cabin didn’t affect trunk capacity, because at 511 liters, the Focus falls just 8 liters short of the Honda but significantly exceeds the Toyota’s capacity, and by a whole 61 liters the Mazda. The price for the new Focus is kept in a competitive range but also by the exclusion of expensive equipment from the stock cars’ configuration. For example, it does not have Bang & Olufsen audio, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic high beam, lane-centering system, head-up display, and even park pilot, including automatic. All these options need to be ordered separately, which means you’ll have to wait quite a long time for your Focus.
Conclusion
Ford Focus is one of the best cars in its segment, and it’s easy to see why. A well-thought-out chassis with polished, best-in-class dynamics provides balanced, comfortable, and enjoyable driving, with excellent body control and responsive steering. Its 1.0-liter EcoBoost is a compact, robust, and highly efficient unit. The new Focus has more cabin space than its predecessors, plus it offers quality that matches the class standard.
Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost AT6 Specifications
- 3-cylinder gasoline with turbocharging, transverse front
- Volume 999 cm3
- Power 92 kW (125 hp) at 6000 rpm
- Maximum torque 170 Nm at 1400-4500 rpm
- Front-wheel drive
- Front suspension McPherson struts, rear torsion beam
- 8-speed automatic
- Maximum speed 198 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h 11.1 s
- Length/width/height/wheelbase 4647/1825/1454/2700 mm
- Ground clearance 160 mm
- Turning diameter 10.7 m
- Tires 205/50 R16
- Trunk volume 511 l
- Curb weight/load capacity 1375/485 kg
- Fuel consumption normalized, city/highway/mixed 7.3/5.3/6.6 l/100 km (A-95)
- Tested consumption 6.3 l/100 kmPrice (Business) from 627,218 UAH
