REVIEW: The Ford Focus gains one last update before it leaves us in 2025 - the 123bhp 1.0-litre Ecoboost variant is as good as ever
Disappointingly, every petrol Focus bar the ST now comes with a twist-beam rear axle; the 1.5 Ecoboost used to come with a fully independent double-wishbone backside. However, it doesn’t make it feel rudimentary, like you might imagine. In fact, a senior Ford executive told us at the original launch that the only real difference between the set-ups was more noticeable impacts over potholes, and I can’t really argue with that.
It never crashes alarmingly or becomes harsh, though – certainly not compared with something like a Mini Cooper. It means that after a while you get used to the way the Focus makes steady progress and the perception of those slightly rougher edges quickly fades into the back of your consciousness. Equally, it’s nothing like the supremely wafty new DS 4, being noticeably firmer than even the Skoda Octavia, although the payoff is of course sporty handling.
Dive into an inviting corner and the chassis responds without hesitation, thereafter keeping to your chosen line obediently, making B-road blats a real blast. Plus ça change – pour de bon. Unabated too is the slight over-sensitivity when you’re trying to effortlessly track straight on the motorway, but hey ho. Modern Ford’s hallmark elasticity in the steering motion also remains; you will either love this or find it too caricatured.
In fact, tactility is the crux of my main – and very significant – criticism of the facelifted Focus. Previously, beneath the touchscreen existed a panel of dials and buttons for controlling the fan speed, temperature and direction of the air conditioning system. Alas, no more, here instead just a dial for the audio volume, four buttons for rarely used tech functions and the engine stop/start button.
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