What is it?
The Ford Focus Active is the brand’s attempt to claw back territory for the conventional hatchback – territory lost to an onslaught of SUVs, including its own mid-sized option, the Ford Kuga.
And it might have hit on something, because there are good reasons why you might buy a Focus Active instead of an SUV. Without four-wheel drive, a towering frontal area and beefed-up bodywork, it's respectively less expensive to buy, more fuel efficient and easier to manoeuvre, but a 30mm increase in ride height over the standard Focus still makes it easier to slide into and gives occupants a bit of a perch. Because this is a Focus, it should also be far better to drive than any comparable ‘sports’ utility vehicle.
To make up for the fact that the Focus Active is ultimately not an SUV are lots of rugged-looking styling additions. Black plastic conspicuously adorns a new front bumper, from where it flows down the sides of the car, looping over the wheelarches in a style you’ll find on everything from the Fiat Panda 4x4 to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain. The grille is also blacked out, because chrome just doesn’t look very tough, and naturally the skidplates are false.
Mechanically, the Focus Active is almost identical to the standard hatchback, offering a choice of three-cylinder turbocharged petrol and four-cylinder diesel engines driving the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. The trim levels, Active and Active X, slot in at Zetec level, only with sat-nav and privacy glass as standard. Both come equipped with independent rear suspension, while Active X adds 18in alloy wheels and a panoramic roof.
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Hybrid/PHEV
Would have been nice to launch with Hybrid/PHEV option but no word on this.
Think Ford going down the 48v mild hybrid route with the Focus though there is rumour of new Kuga being PHEV.
I'd much rather people bought
I'd much rather people bought vehicles like this to satisfy their SUV lust, at least they don't block my view in the same way at junctions. I've seen quite a few Fiesta Actives on the road, and I think they look good, far better than the Ecosport, though that's probably selling them very short.
My previous car was a Focus ecoboost
This should drive pretty similar - even though mine was the previous gen. - never reckoned the ecoboost underpowered - found economy reasonable if not great - it wasn't powerful, but I never found over-taking tricky -- easy I would say. Nothing at all broke down, only needed to replace brake pads. The sole disappointment was when I sold it - I discovered twin rust stains on the rear wings, both stains on exact same spots on each rear wing. On the whole I reckon I can recommend a Focus ecoboost -- however, the owner needs to watch for that rear wing rust. The car was only 5 years old, meaning I felt it was rusting sooner than I expected. Except for that, no complaint at all. My current car - latest gegn Honda Civic. Thought to try a Honda this time.