Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost review

Fast, quiet and as fun to drive as most hot hatches, yet easy to live with, this range-topping petrol Focus is simply brilliant. And while it’s a strong performer, it’s efficient and cheap to tax. Factor in the roomy, classy and solidly built cabin, and you have to admire how Ford has exceeded expectations in every area. The trouble is, this variant is destined to be a small seller. Few people need a 180bhp engine, and at around £21,000, it’s out of the reach of most family buyers. We look forward to driving the 125bhp 1.6-litre Zetec, which costs a more sensible £17,495. Perhaps that will be the star of the Focus petrol line-up.

We’ve tried Ford’s latest direct-injection EcoBoost turbo engines in the C-MAX, Mondeo and S-MAX – but this is our first taste of the new 180bhp 1.6-litre, which debuts in the Focus and goes on sale in November.

On paper, it’s impressive: as well as the headline power output, there’s 240Nm of torque, which peaks at 270Nm during full-throttle overtaking moves. All that translates to a 0-62mph time of only 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 138mph – performance figures most hot hatchbacks wouldn’t be ashamed of.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Ford Focus

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Amazingly, while this flagship petrol model isn’t billed as a hot hatch, it’s faster and more powerful than the MkI Focus ST170. Yet that scorching pace doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency. Ford claims 47.1mpg economy and 139g/km emissions, for £110-a-year road tax.

On the move, the engine is a real peach. It’s super smooth, linear in its delivery and hugely flexible, and happy to pull hard from low revs, sit quietly on the motorway – thanks to a long sixth gear – or race to the 6,000rpm red line, showing no let up in punch. 

The petrol Focus is 128kg lighter than the 161bhp diesel, at 1,333kg, and you notice that in corners. The nose is more eager to turn in and the steering is even smoother. What’s more, the torque vectoring system has no trouble sending all of the EcoBoost engine’s punch to the road.

Throw in a snappy six-speed manual box, a taut yet comfortable ride and that premium cabin, and it’s a great all-rounder.

The one fly in the ointment is the price. In Titanium trim, this 180bhp model is expected to cost around £21,000. Yes, it is the range-topper (at least until the 247bhp ST arrives later in the year), but that’s a lot to pay for a compact family car. 

More worrying is the fact that the cheapest EcoBoost-powered Focus you can buy is the 148bhp version – available only in Titanium trim, at £19,745. There’s no doubt the Ford is a great car, but the prices are hard to swallow.