Although Ford refers to this as the fourth-generation Focus, it's more of a development of the third-gen model introduced back in 2011. It is a comprehensive update however, with a bold and handsome new look courtesy of narrower headlights, a more upmarket grille and a decluttered interior.

New features include a choice of semi-autonomous systems to help you in and out of tight parking spaces, improved Active City Stop and more responsive satellite navigation. The current Focus also gets the updated SYNC 2 infotainment system, along with adaptive front lighting which automatically adjusts to the car's speed and steering angle.

Other noteworthy additions include improvements in refinement and noise reduction, plus sharper steering, more capable traction control and a general improvement in both fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Finally, the engine lineup includes a new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, along with a powerful new 1.5-litre version of the award-winning EcoBoost petrol engine.

Performance

There's an engine to suit all needs in the new Focus range, with popular choices including the multi-award winning 1.0-litre petrol EcoBoost, along with the more traditional 1.6-litre diesel engine. Of the new additions, the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel is available with an output of 104bhp, which is good enough to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 11.9 seconds.

It won't blow your trousers off by any measure, but it comes with more than enough poke for day-to-day driving, and plenty of torque to execute overtakes with confidence and ease.

Performance fans will be better served by the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost, which is available in two states of tune with either 148bhp or 180bhp. The latter gives a decidedly more warm hatch feel and aims to bridge the gap between the regular Focus models and the full-bore ST, with a 0-62mph of just 8.6 seconds. Low-end pull is impressive for a turbocharged engine, but the 1.5-litre EcoBoost really comes alive above the 2,500rpm range, catapulting the car at an impressive lick and with a reasonably enjoyable thrum too.

Ride and Handling

Reputation for building cars with class-leading handling

Ford has always had something of a reputation for building cars with class-leading handling, and despite the fact that many of its rivals are quickly catching up, they still can't quite hold a candle to the likes of the Fiesta and the Focus. Grippy and happy to dive through corners with aplomb, if there's one criticism we'd make about the Focus it's that the steering is responsive but definitely lacking something in terms of feedback. Still, even the standard Focus model feels quite sporty, but Zetec S and the special edition Red and Black versions come with lowered, stiffer suspension for a more sport-oriented feel. The Red and Black Editions also come with a quickened steering ratio and shorter gear ratios to accelerate quicker, though the harder suspension does struggle with filtering out bumps and irregularities in the road surface. On standard wheels it's liveable, but upgrade to the larger 17- and 18-inch wheels and comfort will deteriorate somewhat. Compared against rivals like the Golf and the Astra, the Focus can sometimes feel a little less comfortable and refined, but on the whole it's engaging and also impressive hushed even at motorway speeds.

Interior and Equipment

After thirty years of building Escorts, Ford introduced the Focus in 1998. It's currently the UK's second most popular car, behind the Fiesta.

Ford states that its pared-back interior design comes as a result of customer focus groups and market research, with buyers stating that they wanted a sleeker and less cluttered cabin. The result is a much more use-friendly and handsome layout, with a large centrally-mounted touchscreen and ergonomic air-conditioning controls. The SYNC 2 infotainment system packs in features like Bluetooth phone connectivity, DAB digital radio and voice-activated functions, along with sat-nav which for £300 is a worthwhile addition. However, many brands offer screens which are decidedly more responsive than Ford's, which is prone to a bit of lag particularly when trying to punch in address details. Overall, however, it's more or less par for the course. Unlike previous generations, the Focus is no longer available with three doors, with all models including the ST and RS getting five doors as standard. This means that there's easy access to the rear, particularly handy if you're travelling with children. Space is good all around with enough leg and headroom to keep most passengers happy, plus twin ISOFIX attachments in the rear for child seats. Where the Focus falls short against its competition, however, is with its luggage capacity. With the 60:40 split rear seats up, space clocks in at a fairly middling 316 litres if you specify the space-saver spare wheel, less than both the Golf and the Astra. With the seats down, maximum cargo capacity is 1,215 litres, which isn't amazing but the boot is at least well proportioned. If you need more space, there is also the estate version, which ups the boot capacity to 476 litres with the rear seats up, and 1,500 litres with them down.

Cost

The top-seller is likely to be the Zetec, which accounts for 55 per cent of UK sales.

The entry-level Focus studio trim starts from £14,000 and is the only one that doesn't come with DAB digital radio, but in honesty it's unlikely that many buyers will opt for it, particularly with its rather feeble 84bhp engine option. Instead, the top-seller is likely to be the Zetec, which accounts for 55 per cent of UK sales and costs from £18,000 upwards. For more equipment, there is the £19,000 Titanium, while the Red and Black Editions will set you back £22,520. The lowest CO2 rating across the board is 88g/km with the 1.5-litre diesel, which means free Vehicle Excise Duty. The highest is 137g/km for the 1.5-litre EcoBoost, though specifying start/stop technology will drop this by around 10g/km.

Our Verdict

There's always been a good reason that the Ford Focus has been the most popular car in its class for many years, but with its latest update it's now even better and every bit as refined as it looks. With plenty of equipment and an option to suit all drivers, the Focus may now have tougher competition than ever, but it's still more than competitve when it comes to comfort, performance and practicality.