Ford Focus Active estate review: it's time to ditch that SUV
The Ford Focus Active estate is all the family car you'll ever need. This is why we think the rugged Focus combines the best of an estate car with some of the style and capability of an SUV.
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Ford Focus Active estate long-term test review: aex.ae/3Yzq7zZ
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It’s true that ride and handling balance aren’t top priorities for many family-car buyers, but don’t underestimate the value of a model that feels right on the road. The Ford Focus Active estate inspires confidence, making you more connected to what’s going on, and everyday driving becomes less of a chore as a result.
The estate bodystyle costs £1,160 more than the Focus hatchback and if you value extra space in the rear, it seems a sensible option. The big, uniformly shaped load space has a few little tricks up its sleeve, too. You can remove the roller-blind parcel shelf and store it under the main boot floor.
When that underfloor space is empty, it serves as a waterproof storage area, with the lid becoming a dividing wall that clips into place to separate your muddy boots in the front part of the boot from the stuff you’d rather not get grubby at the back. It’s not a bad device when you’re loading the boot with supermarket shopping bags, either, because it provides a bit of support to stop them spilling their contents all over the load bay on the way home.
So the Focus Active estate really does prove to offer the best of both worlds. Another example of why the fanciest option isn't always the one to go for.
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Get one of these while you can. It's going to be far more affordable and probably practical than what's coming down the track in terms of unaffordable EVs.
I will look into it
There is not going to be a complete EV market. There will be hybrids though.
Estate or Wagons, make more of them please.
Having holidayed in a 3 series touring and a Qashqai, I'm happy to confirm I got all the luggage in the boot of the 3, but in the Qashqai, bags on the back seats with the small people. I'd go tourer all day long, and they're often cheaper.
Station wagons are great cars, cos they offer you car like driving dynamics which I think are better than SUV dynamics, they’re a bit more fuel efficient than SUVs, and you get all the trunk space that you can ever get from an SUV as well. However, station wagons are disappearing in many areas around the world as we speak, due to many buyers suffering from a condition called anti stationwagonism.
SUVs are the biggest con going. Well done to the advertising markets. The majority aren't even 4WD/AWD. They don't have as much space as an estate and don't handle as well or are as efficient. I'd get a Freelander 2 for towing. (They're actually reliable, in land rover like. Check the customer reviews and polls!) I'm not sure what the crack is with EVs and towing.
@@stefanmaddock5516 I know. The Ford Focus Wagon Nicola reviewed has more space than the equivalent crossover, the Küga / Escape. Also, I much prefer 4WD in an SUV, even if I have to sacrifice gas mileage.
The only negative with a wagon vs. a CUV is height in the cargo area. I think that is why people buy them. But with a wagon you get better fuel economy and handling. Personally I like wagons and compact hatchbacks. I had a 2012 Mk3 Focus hatchback here in the states and loved that car. I was so 😡at Ford when they announced that they would no longer be selling it here in the states. The Subaru Outback which is just a lifted station wagon sells well here so the argument that wagons won't sell isn't valid. We can't get the neat compact/subcompact cars here in the states anymore. Guess the only advantage we have in the states is that we can get the Ford Maverick pickup (my current ride) here and you can't in Europe/overseas. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for a New Focus hatch though.
@@Snake-ms7sj I think it’s a shame you don’t get many wagons in the states, even though you can still find them on the roads. One wagon I believe should be sold in the states is the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.
@@DaveDVideoMaker Last wagon I had was a 2006 Dodge Magnum. It was more a midsize based on the LX platform. It was a money pit though. And the kicker was that it was the Mercedes parts that were the problem as it had a Mercedes front suspension, transmission, etc. because Daimler at the time had bought part of Chrysler. Got sick of replacing front bushings. I had the 3.5L V6 not the 5.7L Hemi but even so the best I could manage on the highway was about 25 mpg (U.S). Yeah we can't get much of anything here in the states besides SUV's/CUV's. Miss the 80's and 90's when we could get a simple compact or subcompact with a low price and some punch and a manual also. I have a turbo Maverick pickup that has some get up and go, but it won't carve corners.
Foci are great cars, love our ST! Shame their being phased out by CUVs, as evident with the Ford Explorer EV that just debuted.
I’ve had the MK4.5 ST for nearly a year now and it’s simply brilliant. It’s most likely the last new car I’ll ever own, nothing on the horizon is appealing to me, I’ll be enjoying it for as many years and miles as is possible. You know you’ve got a good car when you look for any excuse to go for a drive the long way round.
Nice. Which engine did you go for if you dont mind me asking? Hoping to buy a new ish focus this week
@@willtomowen the 2.3 litre ecoboost, manual.
I spent a week on a Focus ST-line as a hire car. The handling never a disappointment. I just wished they made the active or the Estate version come with AWD. That can really replace an SUV.
I think the Active model has a Quaife limited slip diff.
agreed Nicola, can't beat a good estate, hate all these SUV's, and i do drive a AWD estate daily. But Ford need to sort the feeble 1L engine they put in everything. I'm big Ford fan, had many Focus's over the years, shame they are killing it off next year, ah well I'm sure their rivals will be happy to fill the void.
They will stop making the Fiesta not the Focus.
@@MRT.1977 nope, both are being ceased, Fiesta this year and Focus next year. new EU emissions and safety tech laws are being blamed, plus poor sales.
@Iain MacMillan I never knew, crazy. It's a bad move stopping two of the most popular cars in the UK.
Are they still using that Power shift Dual Clutch , Class Action Lawsuit, transmission?
SUV cars are completely pointless. Without a PCP most car buyers wouldn't be able to purchase them. Smaller sensible price cars are what the UK needs.
It is a great looking car and Ford are stopping making them which is a shame
Estates are just better than SUV's for normal roads. Better handling, lighter weight means roads are better preserved and that's actually better for the environment
Also safer for other road users because they’re lower to the ground.
For them to get rid of the Focus, when Vauxhall have the Astra and other manufacturers still have their normal hatchbacks, it’s really weird. Think they are sore from the focus not being in the top 10 sellers anymore. I have a MK1 Focus as a runaround and it’s a great car. Guess jacked up hatchbacks are the next thing below SUVs, at least these are worth considering over them.
They just want everyone to buy there more expensive more profitable suvs and upcoming evs it will bite them if theres no true replacements to the fiesta and focus everyone will go to hyundai kia vauxhall etc for there hatchabcks not be forced into spending an extra 5-10k for a big suv that there treating as the replacements for fiesta and focus
Live for Nicolas reviews man! lol
just got one of the 1.5 diesel versions, first impressions, its great, i use the sport mode about 50% of the time and still getting 50 miles to the gallon
Great looking car - would have it over a Kuga any day (or whatever else they call their SUV/Crossover type things these days!)
Bought my wife the hatchback active here in New Zealand. Super happy with it. Runs on the smell of a oily rag, quick and punch round town. Paid $36k NZD for it brand new. Cross shopped it against VW Golf, VW T-Roc, Mazda 3 and CX-30.
I got one instead of a boring SUV after watching your review ❤. Brought back the love of estates in me
You can also fit a flat pack ikea double bed in it with the back seats folded down
Another Nicola video! 👍 I'd be very happy if there was just a stand-alone Nicola channel, with her talking about anything! 😂👍❤️
My dad has a ford C-max and loves it
I've have a pre-facelift one in that colour in a 70 plate as my company car. I love it. Unfortunately it's due for change this year and I want to resist it as much as I can because I will be gutted to see it go. I'll be forced in to getting some cramped over priced dross instead.
How much is this one
Sounds sad, but I've always wanted one, I've had a fiesta, but my dad had a mk1 estate, we went on holiday and it was fully loaded, boot, roof and bikes on back, proper family car vibes, I suspect Ford will be killing it off like the Fiesta though, I like the engines (Ecoboost) but they don't seem very torquey!!
This film could be crudely summarised as statin' the bleedin' obvious. Anyone who knows cars realises that a medium sized estate (Focus, Astra, etc) gives you almost everything you need at a fraction of the cost of prestige buys. But that's not why people buy cars! The majority buy them to show off, to look flashy/important/wealthy/powerful whatever. I've now passed the age of wanting to impress anybody so I drive an Astra diesel estate. It has a 1600cc, all-alloy engine, chain-cam, 134 bhp with 236 lbs of torque from 1750 rpm. It's fast, handles well and tows well too. It's arguably the best small diesel engine in the world, a peach, but no journalist has ever commented on this because none of them appreciate engineering anymore. It's a shame diesel is being phased out: these small turbo petrol engines will not last as long. In the US some of them are proving uneconomic to repair long-term because the seals are going, requiring a complete re-build.
The only thing i don't like is the screen in the middle of the dash.
90% of SUVs aren’t 4 wheel drive
Most people round my way are probably buying SUVs to comfortably ride over the abundance of potholes!
@@zaandam0172yeah there awful we pay road tax on our cars thats meant to pay towards fixing the roads yet most of our city/town and country roads are full of potholes
Ironically some of the crossovers actually have stiffer suspension than hatchback equivalents to account for body roll so even with the raised height the bumps are just as bad if not worse in some suv models
Spot on. SUVs have ruined the world.
I've got mine for roughly a year now, put 50.000 kilometers on it, driven it from the Netherlands to the south of France and full speed on the German Autobahn. It's a nice car, but it does feel a bit cheaper compared to it's German competitors. The "squishy" material is only in the front though, it does feel very cheap in the back. Plus, I always rest my elbow on the door and I have a very visible dent on the spot where my elbow rests because of the soft material. But that's my only real complaint I guess.
Long live the estate
We call them station wagons here in the states. The name was derived because the early ones were made on a Ford model T chassis to take passengers to and from train stations and the stretched cargo area was needed for the luggage especially when some people were still using large trunks instead of suitcases. I'm guessing the term Estate came from Estate car?
Having a 4x4 only normally means that you can get closer to the guy that is stuck. It would only work if everyone had the same capability. Also note that 2WD and good winter tyres will be as or more effective that 4wd and summer tyres. Don't forget that 4WD and 2WD all have teh same number of brakes and wheels, so 4x4 grip is only better for going straight, better tyres are better at going, stopping and cornering. Ford Focus Estate is the best car Ford make (IMHO)
Any well spec estate gets a thumbs up from me a practice car.
Always been time to ditch an SUV 👍🇦🇺
Telling people to by a ford estate instead of an suv when ford have announced they will stop making anything other than suvs....
Too bad I can't get this in Canada.
It's been said for a long time that a 3 touring is all the car you'd ever need. Well they're massive now. Arguably, it's been replaced by this. No one will buy this obviously. Shame. This and the Fiesta are brilliant. I feel sad now.
I love it how car journalists praise estate cars, because that's the choice of the true car enthusiast and what not...but they decide to buy SUVs for themselves. Just like she did with her new Kia Sportage 😂
I really wish we had wagons in the US. The only real offering is the Outback. Everything from European brands is very expensive and if you can't afford them new, you can't afford to maintain such fragile cars. So the budget just isn't there. I was really hoping the Corolla Cross would be given the Outback treatment but nope just a crossover. People genuinely find wagons ugly here or unappealing. We had several show up in the 2010s and they sat next to crossovers. People went for the crossover. People do not care about driving dynamics and never had. I see some people use that as a argument for wagons when that's rarely a selling point. People who need that much space and want something sporty kinda don't mesh into a selling product. I know here personally our roads are getting so bad that a crossover really does make sense. We aren't going offroading but the bigger tires and few inches of ground clearance are better than sedans. Which have progressively gotten lower and lower to be sporty or to meet regulations. If you look in the past, like the 70s cars like that had a ton of room to mess around. Not anymore. You see where they plowed into the pavement everywhere. Sedans got lowered from the crossover things of the 30s as roads got better and smoother. Now roads are crumbling and people moved to higher sitting cars again. Coincidence? Not a absolute reason. But I think it's one
I had a Mk3 Focus hatchback. When they axed the Focus here in the states after the 2018 model year I went to a FWD Escape which was just a bigger Focus. I REALLY wanted a Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon S 4Motion but the local dealers weren't offering deals like Ford. I bought the Escape for about $5k cheaper than the Volkswagen would've cost me. Don't know where you live but the roads I drive (mostly suburbs and surrounding) aren't bad. The next big thing in the states is going to be compact pickups. I have a Maverick currently. Toyota, Chevy and Ram are said to be coming out with thier versions soon.
@Snake 1776 I never really wanted a truck, but if Toyota makes a small truck I might make it on my list. I kinda have a plan to try all types of different body types in my life. I currently looking to buy a Scion tc. A coupe liftback seems pretty unique these days. I really don't trust Ford. Family friends escape transmission died at 70k miles and a friend's mustang had that go out before 50k. I like the look of many Fords but just ain't worth the risk. I am glad they started the Maverick. Tbh maybe killing cars was what let them do this. So a small positive if you are a fan of it.
@@baronvonjo1929 I am not a CUV or pickup person but my last 2 vehicles have been both only because I bought a house. When I sell my house I will probably go back to a car. If you get a Scion Tc go for the second gen with the 2.5L Toyota had oil consumption problems with the 2.4L engines. Right now the Honda Civic hatchback is really a sedan with a liftback.
Way better looking than an SUV too
Suv's are just not needed by most it's just a fashion, their prices will plummet
Most SUVs I've driven were less pleasant to drive than most cars I've driven. Used more fuel. Were harder to load into the unnecessarily high boot. Were more awkward to climb in and out. Were more awkward to drive on the UK's narrow, over-congested roads. Other than fashion, I can't understand why anyone who doesn't go offroad would buy one. (Apart from the odd poor driver who's scared without an artificially raised viewpoint.)
@@zaandam0172 Precisely my points.
Why would you buy a bloated hatch (Opps! sorry an SUV), when you can get an immense boot space with the jacked-up ride joy this thing gives you?
sad thing is that ICE Focus has date to end
Ford Ka - Gone Ford Fiesta - Gone Ford Focus - Almost gone Ford Mondeo - Gone What are Ford playing at ?
The seating position is too flat for me, that why I have an SUV for the more van like seating position
The main reason why people buy SUV's isn't to off-road. It's because they're easier to get in and out of. Taller ride height and cabin greenhouse allows older people to get in and out much easier than a lower slung estate.
SUVs are also more flashy and bigger and generally make you look important, which people care about these days
How did people cope before ,, poor luvvies.
@Pablo - KFP Software Architect Crossovers are everywhere. The make up thr majority of car sales in many markets. If everybody is flashy and important nobody is. I disagree with your statement. So common most don't even bat a eye. You only look impressive if you step out of a body on frame SUV cause they dont make many if them and their size and presence alone. But again however they are sort of common in the US. Even if you still think they are is that a bad thing? Being flashy and self important is the whole point of many cars like sports cars or brands like Mercedes and BMW.
I've only found them to be incredibly more difficult ot get in and out of. Where's the added ease from the climb?
@John Moore Crossovers are just a few inches taller than a sedan. We aren't talking about a big 4x4, more like a Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4 or Ford Escape. There is no climbing involved.
And great value at only £52k. Maybe
Problem is car manufacturers withdrawing vehicles like this from sale ( thanks Ford ) due to electrification. It's easy to electrify an SUV. Big, heavy things already. Harder to do it to a small hatchback or estate ( as it either alters dynamics or becomes expensive ). MG5 is £30k plus ( that's not what they pay in China ) and Corsa, 208 and Mini e's expensive as well for what you get. So the car makers go with the lazy, safe EV SUV option
Just as Ford releases details of a new electric Capri
@@dashcam2417 Sticking legacy names on cars that most cannot afford. Thanks Ford. As a loyal customer it's nice to be ( probably ) shafted
Yep, and because it costs much more to build electric cars they have to sell them at £40k. No one will pay £40k for a Focus but they are happy to pay that for an SUV, hence the switch.
I do prefer an estate to an suv but I think the focus is just looking a bit old and bit dull now
Go on Ford, make an ST performance version!
They have a normal estate ST no need for an ST on this version
I don't know if the 17cm ground clearance it's enough to tackle the Stone roads, or even to jump a curb in the city, what do you think? I have the titanium x version and its not enough for me, the ground clearance it's really low...
Test drove a few Focus Actives (HB and Estate) for few thousand km - tried it on gravel roads, forest trails, heavy snow (30cm +) - of course you have to keep in mind its not a lifted offroader - no damage for the vehicle (front bumper, sideskirts, underpanels) when you drive with your eyes on the road. HB can easily do 5l/100km with cruise control set 100kmh. Hypermiled with estate for few hundred km and returned with 4.3l/100km. If driven hard on winter - you will see 8l/100km on average. Great value especially for a company car.
You shouldn't be jumping curbs. Pavements are for pedestrians.
That's far more like it. Best make the most of these before Ford goes all EV and prices get stupid.
EV's are a lie. They simply can't make enough batteries for everyone to replace thier petrol vehicles with an EV. And even if they could, the demands for the materials needed to make batteries will drive the prices up ten fold so many people wouldn't be able to afford an EV.
Where does the dog go nicola 🤔👍
Crossovers are a con.
I like Auto Express reviews generally speaking but it's obvious you are running out of review topics - not just AE but all car review sites because it's quiet on the new car front currently.
Great cars the focus and Fiesta but Ford are going to axe them and replace with a Tourneo while they go all premium. There is going to be a massive gap in the market with only Dacia making value for money cars. Watch the Chinese take over from Ford, Vauxhall and the other European brands that have decide to build cars to compete with the German brands. So look forward to your £60,000 Ford.
Exactly right, there seems to be a huge gap appearing between affordable cars for the masses and EVs
An estate car is supetior to an SUV (Stupid, Ugly Vehicle) in every way.
It may be a brilliant touch screen but these cause more accidents than you imagine. Looking at & trying to navigate these complex infotainment systems while driving is asking for trouble! Just take a look at Nicola Hume's attention to the road when she is prodding away at the screen. See now?
Because of the obsession with the SUV . CARBON DIOXIDE levels in Europe are on the rise again. Stop making these cars and feeding peoples egos.
Bollocks
@@brianhume4743 read the reports in auto express and Autocar . Do the research before opening your potty mouth.
And if you actually happen to have 'real' dogs, as opposed to 'designer carry on' dogs (pugs, bijons, French bulldog freaky things), they'll much appreciate the lower 'jump in/out' height of an estate car also: meaning I'll stick with my 3 litre A6 Avant quattro thanks, and not a stupid Q7 (which with 2 ageing German Shepherds, would be animal cruelty trying to make them jump in and out of!).
Ford in the USA have phased out cars for SUVs and 4x4
So has Chevy and I think Chrysler has also.
I like her
Touch screen climate controls... Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Most suv are not four wheel drive.
Get one whilst you can Ford are axing this in 2025 Seriously overpriced but a shame it’s going I don’t get what Ford is playing at
Problem is, with an aging population (me included!) getting in and out as well as loading/unloading is way easier (literally) with and SUV. For that reason I will keep it.
Loading and unloading is incredibly more dificult into an artificially raised boot. Where is the ease when all that extra heft is needed to put them in?
@@johnmoore2342 It can be harder for older people with arthritis or joint problems to get in and out of a lower car.
@@Snake-ms7sj I guess that would outweight the difficulty of raising items the extra height into the boot. I use my boot most days - when I was loaned a Mercedes GLS a trip to the tip became an unplanned gym workout.
I don't get thr SUV craze they are just bigger lumps of metal with no practicality
It would be even better if it would be a bit lower and wouldnt have that hideous plastic wannabe offroad stuff
Not when I’ve just seen the new Explorer coming to Europe 😊
which is a generic abomination
you are so small, even a Reliant Robin looks like a SUV when you are in it 🙂
I fail to understand the perception of scale that led to this comment.
Won't tow my 1.6 tonnes caravan, me thinks!
Or just buy a Subaru with actual 4wd.
Bla bla bla... What about the engine ? Ecoboost is awful because of its timing wet belt. Problems in sight !
All these useless toys ,please some body give us a car focus size with basic safety stuff and a radio reduce the weight and a clean hybrid for long days miles 70 plus mpg speed limit is 70 so why do we need any cars to go over 90?
My guess is you’re over 70 years of age
No thank you. I will keep my SUV.
I feel sorry for you.
Hybrids are a joke.For most journeys,you're carrying a redundant electric motor and a heavy battery which reduces fuel efficiency and produces far more CO2 than my diesel using AdBlue.
Yet a Toyota Yaris Hybrid can easily do 69mpg.
Sorry but totally disagree. My Toyota Yaris does 71mpg which is in excess of the quoted figure.
@@hondamonkeyboy No it doesn’t.Manufacturers figures are inflated but you’re telling me,you exceed the inflated figures.
@@smcgeminimustang Wasn't it VW and their diesel vehicles that did that?
@@smcgeminimustang I don't lie actually. So yes it does. Car bought April 2021. It's done 10133 miles on 142.33 gallons which cost me £966.99 at an average of £1.496 a litre. That works out at 71.19 mpg.
1 litre engine 😂😂😂 utter garbage
An ecoboom engine too no less
@@reececollison5101 did you ever tried this ,,ecoboom" which it's superior to the 1.0 from VW? This drives really nice and it doesn't feel like a 1.0 engine due to the 210nm torque.
@@MrRobi10ECOBÒOM! Only engine is 2.3 litre monster. That's the one to get 👍