Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Focus Estate

We check out a range-topping luxury Focus to see if it can justify its £21,000 price tag.

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Ford Focus
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Focus estate is still the family wagon to beat. Factor in the upgraded kit and luxurious leather of the Titanium X and you have an extremely desirable vehicle. However, at £21,095 it is expensive compared to the competition, and nearly as pricey as models from the class above. We’d recommend a lower spec, which will be much better value.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Great to drive, spacious and with revised good looks, the Focus Estate seems to have all the bases covered. But now, the blue oval has added a little ‘X’ factor to its latest load-lugger – and the emphasis is on luxury.

Based on the already well equipped Titanium model, this new range-topper is fitted with a special X Pack, which boosts the equipment and the price – the latter by £1,650 to £21,095.

On the outside, you will notice the xenon headlights set into the restyled nose, while at the rear, distinctive LED lamps replace the standard items.

Also included are powered folding door mirrors, as well as a special solar-reflective windscreen which helps to keep the interior cool and cuts down glare from the sun’s rays.

Inside, the cabin has a more opulent air, courtesy of stitched leather upholstery for the seats and door trims. The front seats are heated and electrically adjustable – although the taller mechanism does restrict headroom for the driver and passenger.

Elsewhere it’s business as usual for the Focus. The recent revisions to the range in general mean that quality in the cabin is excellent – the soft-touch materials and solid build come close to matching those of premium brand competitors. There is plenty of legroom for occupants front and rear, and five adults will be comfortable, even on long journeys.

They will find ample space for their luggage, too. With the rear bench in place you’ll have access to 503 litres; fold it flat and the capacity jumps to 1,546 litres – a figure that matches models in the class above.

On the road the Ford really excels. Refinement is good, handling entertaining and the steering accurate and nicely weighted. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is smooth and punchy, and should return wallet-friendly economy of 50.4mpg. Only an occasionally fidgety ride in town lets the car down.

The new X Pack is available on all versions of the Focus Titanium – the hatch-back, saloon and estate. Yet while there’s no doubt that it gives the family Ford a luxurious lift, it doesn’t offer enough over the standard version to justify the extra £1,605.

Variants lower down in the Focus range offer the same space, practicality, quality and driving fun – but at much more competitive prices.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024