Ford Focus Estate - Tiny Engine And Large Carrying Capacity Prove A Hit

Our junior photographer ponders life without faithful carrier

Don’t be fooled by my youthful appearance, because I prefer the sensible option with my cars.

As Auto Express’ junior photographer, I cover thousands of miles a year snapping pictures of the newest models. And when you spend as much time behind the wheel as I do, it’s the practical little touches that make all the difference. As a result, I get more excited by well-engineered cup-holders and clever seat-folding mechanisms than I do about heavily bolstered seats, uprated sports suspension or highly tuned engines.

And that’s why I’m so upset that our Ford Focus is leaving the fleet. For the past six months, our bright orange model has proven there’s still not much that can beat a compact estate for everyday versatility.

As you’d expect, the Focus’ 476-liter boot has easily swallowed all the photographic kit I can throw at it. The low loading lip and wide opening mean I’m never in danger of putting my back out when lifting heavy items in and out, while the quick-fold rear seat means I can throw my mountain bike in the back without having to remove its wheels. Better still, on the rare occasions that there hasn’t been enough space in the back, I’ve simply pushed a button to deploy the $900 optional electric tow bar and hitched up a small trailer.

Yet there’s so much more to Focus than its ability to act as a removal van. For instance, I love the car’s perfect driving position and supportive seats, which combine to leave me free of aches and pains, even after spending hours on the road. And, as a music fan, I’ve come to really appreciate the Sony stereo. Admittedly, the scattergun approach to the unit’s button layout means you often have to take your eyes off the road to select the right function, but the system syncs effortlessly with my phone to give me instant access to all my favorite tunes.

The car’s perfect driving position and supportive seats, which combine to leave me free of aches and pains, even after spending hours on the road.

Other highlights include the standard heated windscreen, which proved invaluable during the cold winter months, as well as the optional reversing camera.

What’s really impressive, though, is that the Focus combines space, practicality and ease of use with sparkling driving dynamics. Few family cars can match its brilliant ride and handling balance. Direct steering, strong grip and excellent body control make it fun in bends, yet the suspension is supple enough to shrug off the worst potholes.

Other highlights include the standard heated windscreen

Of course, special mention goes to the three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which ash helped disprove the old American saying that “there ain’t no substitute for cubic inches.” Despite its small size, the 123bhp motor delivers eager performance, plus it’s smooth and refined. And while I never managed to get close to Ford’s 55.4mpg fuel economy claim, my return of 40.1mpg isn’t too bad when you consider how often the car has been loaded up with kit.

Finding a replacement that’s even half as good as the Focus will be a difficult job.

“Tiny engine and large carrying capacity prove a hit”