Ford Focus Pre Model Titanium 1.6 TDCi 115ps (Start-Stop) 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The grip delivered by the Focus is exceptionally good, and this contributes to an overall handling experience that makes the car great fun to drive. Cornering is a wonderful experience that drivers will find really empowering, and the body roll is kept to a minimum which will be appreciated by the passengers in the car. The driving position is very good, and the fully adjustable seat and steering wheel means that everyone will be able to get the position that is best for them.

The Focus is not going to be breaking any speed records, but it does perform rather well for a family hatchback that is much more aimed towards fuel efficiency rather than speed. This Ford Focus can go from 0-62mph in a competitive 10.9 seconds, and the top speed of 120mph is quite typical of what can be expected from this kind of family hatchback.

The angular lines of the original Ford Focus have been smoothed and curved in the current model, and this brings the Focus more into line with the competition and the style in cars at the moment. The Titanium specifications mean that alloy wheels come as standard, and this makes a big difference to the stylish image that is projected by the car. This level of trim also means that interior of the vehicle is upgraded, particularly the entertainment console which has a high quality look.

The specifications of this version of the Focus provides a well equipped car, with cruise control, climate control and heated electric mirrors all included as standard. The Bluetooth connectivity is a very useful feature, and the rain sensing wipers are a nice thing to have.

The interior of the car is reasonably spacious, and those sitting in the back seats won't be troubled with cramped surroundings. The boot space isn't the largest in the class, but it can still carry a few cases or other items of luggage without having to squeeze anything in. The car is very security conscious, and the locking wheel nuts and secure spare wheel are all part of the package.

The safety of driver and passengers is also a very impressive area of the Ford Focus, and the Euro NCAP tests delivered a five star award and an excellent adult safety rating of 92%. It also posted some very good scores in terms of pedestrian safety should they become involved in a collision. The usual range of airbags and driving aids all contribute to a family car that will really help to look after the driver and passengers.

The Titanium trim and this engine doesn't come at the entry level of the Focus, and the list price is £19,845. This isn't the cheapest of the range, but the running costs are quite reasonable, and the Titanium trim is a significantly better proposition than that of the standard features. Ford offer a standard three year or 60k mile warranty along with a one year roadside breakdown policy.

One area where this incarnation of the Ford Focus does particularly well is in the running costs, and the fuel performance of the TDCi engine with the stop-start feature delivers an excellent 67.3mpg. This is truly very good for a car of this size that isn't the smallest of vehicles. The insurance group is also very competitive, meaning that running this Focus will not break the bank.