Rental cars. Not what they used to be. So when I touched down in Italy on my recent summer holiday, imagine my delight when my cheapest-possible-small-estate package turned out to be the new 2011 Ford Focus Estate – one of the few cars I've not driven. Ours was the popular 1.6 TDCI Focus in Studio trim, roughly equivalent in spec to an entry-level UK Edge.
This was doubly good news: firstly, my wife owns an old-shape Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCI and it’s a car I rate as zero-image but great-to-drive and cheap-as-chips family transport. Secondly, I have been impressed by the new Focuses I’ve driven, but come away wishing I could drive a more boggo version with a lower price and fewer techno toys clouding its talents.
This navy blue Avis rentacar Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCI could be just the ticket, then. Here’s CAR’s first drive review.
Ford Focus Estate: what’s new
The new Focus wagon is a bit bigger than the outgoing estate, at 4556mm long, 1858mm wide and 1482mm high. It gets the same modish new look as the hatch at the front, but the rear has quite a different character – looking more like a baby Mondeo estate, albeit one whose back lights owe more in design to runny eggs than conventional illuminations.
Inside the cabin takes a big step forward. The Mk2 Focus has many strengths, but perceived quality was not one of them. I think the new Mk3 Focus can safely say it’s corrected that: the materials are smart and feel more German than Korean, and it’s a much more lavish cabin than the lashed-together, shiny shod cockpit of my wife’s Focus.
It’s just as roomy inside with plenty of room for a family of four, or five at a push. The boot is similarly large, at a roomy 476 litres with the seats up, 1502 when in removal lorry spec. It easily swallowed our holiday luggage and there's no annoying lip for hauling prams and family clobber in.
What’s the new 2011 Focus Estate like to drive?
It’s another similar step up in quality. The Focus feels more grown-up with an admirable refinement to the engine and chassis. Riding on standard 16in alloys, ours rode well with that traditional Ford plump quality to the damping; enough control to keep the body in check when driving on Alpine roads but with plenty of pliancy to soak up Italian back road disasters. I guess that means I disagree somewhat with Anthony ffrench-Constant's assertion in the new August 2011 issue of CAR Magazine that Ford has ruined the ride quality on the new Focus wagon.
The steering – now electro-mechanical – has perhaps lost a little feel, but it’s still admirably direct and fast to act. That you can throw a sensible diesel Focus Estate around on mountain roads and actually quite enjoy it speaks volumes about what Ford has achieved with its Golf rival.
Previous new Focus models I’ve driven were weighed down with electro gizmos, such as lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and tiredness monitors. This Italian Focus was refreshingly pared back – just enough to keep it comfy, but without distractions.
And performance?
Ah yes. Where the Mk2 Focus wagon feels brisk, the Mk3’s growth spurt blunts the speed somewhat. Ford quotes 11.1sec 0-62mph and 120mph top whack, and I think we can safely blame the swollen 1368kg kerbweight for that more slovenly performance. That said, it's a few kilos lighter than the rival Astra.
This might explain why we averaged low 40s mpg in our fortnight with the car, where my wife’s Focus with the same engine regularly tops 50mpg. In mitigation, we were loaded up with a fortnight’s luggage and driving in some mountainous areas. And the engine had few kilometres under its belt.
Verdict
It's hard not to be impressed by the new Focus wagon. It's answered my main criticism of the old Focus – lack of image and cheap build – with a svelte new style and a quantum leap in cabin quality.
It's perhaps not quite as razor sharp to drive, but that's the modern motoring market for you. Where the Focus Mk1 blazed a trail for drivers everywhere, the Mk2 largely kept the dynamics intact but added a degree more sophistication. The new Focus Estate Mk3 nudges yet further towards the Golf benchmark, but undeniably sacrifices some of the fun on the way.
For most people, that'll be just fine. And they'll love the added practicality.
