Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Focus review - Reliability and safety

The Ford Focus gets top marks for safety and should prove to be a reliable family car

Reliability and safety rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£28,500 - £42,905
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 is built on an all-new C2 platform, although we’re led to believe it shares knowledge and some technology with the underpinnings that have proven such a hit under the Fiesta in recent years. Even so, the new architecture does bring some risks on reliability – but at least the majority of the engines in the line-up are reasonably well-proven.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Focus didn't feature in our 2022 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, although Ford was well represented on the 75-car list with appearances from the Puma crossover, EcoSport small SUV, Kuga mid-size SUV and the ever-popular Fiesta supermini. The Blue Oval will be disappointed with a 25th-place finish (out of 29 manufacturers) in the best brands poll – only just ahead of Fiat, Dacia, and MG.

The new Focus has been tested by Euro NCAP’s crash-test team and scored a full five stars. It achieved 85 per cent for adult protection and 87 per cent for child occupant safety.

You can spec the optional Driver Assist Pack which brings adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane centring and automatic main beam headlight functions. Other kit on offer includes evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, inflatable seatbelts and pre-collision assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Warranty

The Focus comes with Ford’s standard warranty, which is over an industry standard of three years but does stretch to 60,000 miles during that period, which is on the generous side. Ford also offers the chance to extend cover to four years/80,000 miles and five years/100,000 miles.

Servicing

Ford offers its Protect Service Plan, which includes payment plans for scheduled services, along with extended Ford Assistance roadside cover. The Ford Protect Service Plan can be purchased any time before the first service is due.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV Titanium 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £28,500

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV Titanium 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £28,500

Fastest

  • Name
    2.3 EcoBoost ST 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £39,155
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

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