Pricing for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost Focus mHEV 125PS variant we're looking at here is a touch higher than you might expect because with this engine output, it can only be had with Ford's Powershift 7-speed auto gearbox. Prices start from around £25,000 and run up to around £29,000 for the top-spec mHEV 125PS Powershift model. The estate body style attracts a premium of £1,200 over the equivalent hatch. You could save around £1,800 and get a 1.0-litre Focus EcoBoost 125PS without the mHEV tech and with a manual gearbox. Alternatively, provided you're able to avoid entry-level trim, you could find around £300 more than is required for the 125PS auto mHEV model and get the mHEV engine in perkier 155PS form with a manual gearbox - at that level, auto transmission is around £1,200 more.
The trim range kicks off with the base 'Trend' variant, before progressing through 'Titanium' and 'ST-Line' variants, both of which are also available in plusher 'Vignale' forms. An SUV-style 'Active' version (also with a 'Vignale' variant) is also available. Equipment levels reflect the fact that many customers will be paying upwards of £25,000 for this once very affordable compact family hatch. Even the base Focus 'Trend' comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlamps, navigation, drive modes and air conditioning. Avoid base trim and you get Ford's latest 13.2-inch 'SYNC 4' touchscreen incorporating navigation, 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, a DAB digital radio with Bluetooth and Emergency Assist. Plus there's an electronic parking brake, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist and a Lane-Keeping Aid.
For sporty drivers, the 'ST-Line' variant offers unique body styling, including unique upper and lower grille, rear spoiler and polished twin tailpipes. Inside there's a flat-bottomed steering wheel, black headlining, an aluminium gear knob, alloy finish pedals and red stitching.
New safety systems added across the range include 'Blind Spot assist', 'Intersection assist' and 'Local Hazard Information' (which can warn drivers of hazardous situations on the road ahead). Plus there's 'Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go', 'Speed Sign Recognition' and 'Lane Centring' (which helps to ease the strain of driving in stop-start traffic). 'Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking' helps drivers avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, while 'Active Park Assist' operates gear selection, acceleration and braking to enable fully automated parking manoeuvres simply by holding down a button.