What’s new: Ford is pinning big hopes on its new Ecoboost petrol engine technology, predicting it could drive many of the lower-mileage users back to petrol power.
Excellent: Drivers in the 20% tax band save £10 a month compared with the 140hp TDCi diesel as the Ecoboost is cheaper and in a lower BIK band, and the Focus has a better mpg despite having 20hp more than the rival Renault Megane.
Good: While not as potent or having the same aural excitement as the 180hp version, the Ecoboost engine is a decent return to form for petrol power after being beaten up by diesel’s torque.
Average: The Focus as a whole is now a more refined drive, but it’s lost some of the enthusiast’s qualities, particularly with the steering set-up, that made it so popular. The boot’s also small for the class.
Poor: Although the BIK equation stacks up against a diesel Focus, that’s not true for fuel economy, which at 47.1mpg is 20.2mpg behind the diesel, which also wins the cost-per-mile head-to-head.
Verdict: Lower-mileage drivers should seriously consider saving on the P11D price and go for the Ecoboost.
