2023 (23) Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV 155 Active X 5dr Auto

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

The fourth generation Ford Focus Estate was given a proper working over in this final post-2022 updated form, with greater practicality, sleeker looks, a much improved 'SYNC 4' infotainment system and extra technology. There was also impressive efficiency beneath the bonnet thanks to the higher-tech range of petrol and diesel engines. It's not the biggest or the cheapest estate in its sector from this era, but it might be the most appealing all-rounder.

History

Such is the pull of small SUVs that the estate car seems to have had its last rites read time and again, yet still they struggle on. The reason why they refuse to die? They're a good idea. What's more, if people were honest about why they really needed a vehicle, an estate car would make more practical sense. They carry just as much as many SUVs, yet they're better to drive, they're lighter and more aerodynamic which means better efficiency - and they're usually cheaper to buy too. Ford's brought us some brilliant estates down the years but as much as customers have warmed to the Focus hatch, the five-door estate never occupied a huge slice of the overall Focus sales pie chart. Here, we look at the final version of Ford's combustion Focus Estate, a car introduced for the 2022 model year. By then, a lot had changed in this segment since this fourth generation model had first arrived in 2018. Estate versions of Vauxhall's Astra and Volkswagen's Golf had become more avant-garde, Hyundai's i30 and Kia's Ceed station wagons were better value and Skoda's Octavia Estate was more spacious. On top of that, quite a few rivals by 2022 offered much more efficient Plug-in Hybrid or full-Hybrid options in this class, technology that this fourth generation Focus still did without. What it did have was less effective 48V mild hybrid tech, which for this MK4 model update could be matched with the company's improved 7-speed dual clutch Powershift auto gearbox, plus a raft of new camera safety and driver assistance features were available. And the estate body shape got a more practical load area. The biggest change across the range though, could be found inside, where quality improved and most models got a class leadingly-large 14.2-inch central infotainment screen. Which with plush trim could be paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. So back in 2022 we wondered whether all that and a bit of a visual update would be enough to rejuvenate this model's fortunes in this segment. It had after all, been such a definitive car for Ford since the original arrived back in 1997, which was followed by a second generation version in 2005 and a MK3 model in 2011, seven years before the MK4 version first arrived in 2018, a car which sold right until mid-2026. But was at its best in this 2022-onwards-era facelifted form. In this guise, this was the highest quality Focus Estate model ever - so should it still be high on your compact family estate shopping list if you're looking for a used model from the 2022-2024 period?

What You Get

With this updated MK4 model, the styling usefully evolved but still looks a touch conservative in this station wagon guise. Versions of this improved C519-era Focus Estate are marked out by smarter LED headlamps with built-in fog lights. plus the brand badge was moved from the bonnet to the front grille. And the darker rear tail lamps gained a smarter 'loop light' illuminating signature. Bigger changes were reserved for the cabin, which with most versions gained a larger 13.2-inch 'SYNC 4' central touchscreen. In a controversial move, Ford decided that this monitor should incorporate the ventilation controls, giving the dashboard a cleaner, less cluttered look. We're not sure that this was actually a step forward but the infotainment system's ability to in this form accept over-the-air updates certainly was; as a result, you'll get into your Focus Estate one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before - which is rather cool. As before, rear seat space isn't exemplary, but there's decent room for a couple of adults. Since this is an estate though, the emphasis needs to be on the luggage bay, which really is a lot bigger than it is in the hatch, plus plusher versions gained a gesture-controlled powered tailgate. A typically-specified estate model fitted with a mini-spare offers up to 575-litres of capacity - or as much as 728-litres if you load to the roof. As part of the changes made to this revised version of the MK4 model, Ford enhanced this station wagon's cargo area for greater practicality, responding to customer feedback. The luggage space gained a high-quality cropped carpet which not only delivered a premium feel but used short fibres that made it easier to clean. An additional side load net is ideal for storing smaller items that could otherwise move freely around the load space while travelling, and twin LED lights provide clearer illumination in low-light conditions. The adjustable load-floor became twin-hinged with this update, allowing it to be folded to create a vertical divider that locks into place at a 90-degree angle, creating two separate spaces to keep items more securely in place. The load area also gained a lower wet zone, with a waterproof plastic load-floor liner inserted into the space to provide water resistance against items such as wet suits and umbrellas. The water-resistant liner can be removed from the space for easy draining or cleaning, and the area can be enclosed from the rest of the boot with floor folded down, or separated with the vertical divider to create wet and dry zones. If you need more room and want to push forward the 60:40-split rear bench, then you'll be pleased to find that auto-folding 'Easy Fold' rear seat backs came as standard (operable via cargo sidewall-mounted catches). With everything flat, up to 1,653-litres of space is on offer, thanks to the 175mm of extra loading length and extra 43mm of roof height that was incorporated from the beginning into this fourth generation model, an increase apparently calculated so as to enable owners to comfortably accommodate a dog crate.

What to Look For

The main reported issues with this 'MK4.5' Focus Estate relate to things like wet-belt wear (caused by neglected oil changes), loud rear brakes (caused by missing pad shims) and electrical or infotainment issues (the SYNC 4 centre screen can be prone to freezing). MHEV EcoBoost models can throw deep-sleep warnings on the Fordpass app or drain the car's 48V/12V battery if the car sits unused for long periods. As usual with a family hatch, check the interior for child damage. And with top-spec versions, check the alloy wheels for scratches. Look for scrapes and scuffs in the load bay. And any dents, dings and scratches to the panelwork. And ensure that the clutch engages smoothly and that the car goes into gear easily. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter, but this may be clogged up if the previous owner hasn't completed too many highway journeys.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2022 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Estate - Ex Vat) An oil filter is in the £7-£15 bracket. An air filter costs in the £12-£25 bracket. A pollen filter costs around £15-£30. A front brake pad set is in the £30-£60 bracket; rears in the £25-£50 bracket. A front brake disc is in the £30-£60 bracket; a rear disc around £50-£90. Front shock absorbers are in the £55-£95 bracket. Wiper blades are £22-£40 for a front pair. An alternator / Integrated Starter Generator for the MHEV is in the £250-£450 bracket

On the Road

Very little really changed in terms of handling or engine choice with this facelifted MK4 Focus Estate - but that's because Ford had already introduced engineering updates to this car as recently as 2020. These were mainly based around the introduction of 48V mild hybrid tech for the brand's core 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, though back in 2022 you could still have the base 125PS version of that unit without it. Most Focus Estate customers though, will want a mild hybrid model, choosing between a base 125PS version offered only with the company's 7-speed Powershift dual clutch auto gearbox. Or the 155PS 1.0-litre mHEV variant, which can be had with either manual or automatic transmission. The only other mainstream Focus engine on offer was the brand's aging 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel, available only with 120PS and only with an 8-speed torque converter auto gearbox. Whichever mainstream Focus Estate model you decide upon, you should find on the test drive that this Ford still holds a decisive advantage over most of its segment rivals when it comes to the driving position, the feedback through the wheel and in particular, the way the car responds as you throw it into a corner. And you can tailor the way it responds thanks to the brand's standard Drive Mode system. This borrows the kind of technology we've long seen on premium-badged models in this segment, using 'Normal', 'Sport' and 'Eco' settings to alter steering feel, throttle response and, on auto variants, gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive. It can alter ride quality too if adaptive damping has been fitted, but original buyers could only have that - Ford calls it 'Continuously Controlled Damping' - on the top ST performance model, that later variant topping out the range with a potent 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol unit putting out 280PS. In a mainstream model, you'll be wanting to know about running cost efficiency. Well the figures are certainly competitive, the typical 1.0-litre EcoBoost 155PS mHEV manual hatch model managing up to 54.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 116g/km of CO2.

Overall

The Focus Estate always seemed a bit of an afterthought from Ford. It was neither big enough or buoyed by serious promotion. By the time of this final version's introduction in 2022, what was changing in this car's segment was customer perceptions of estate cars in general. Maybe it was a backlash against suburban SUVs that once smacked of active lifestyles but by then just screamed shopping and school run. In this period, it seemed that the estate car was quietly staging a revival. That rather stalled but if you're looking for a station wagon of this size, the fact is that in this improved MK4 form, the Focus became one of the very best. It's not the biggest and nor is it the cheapest contender in its segment from its era, but as an all-rounder it takes some beating. The smaller petrol engines are well worth a look and in the shape of the sporty 'ST-Line' variant, Ford offered a real Q-car station wagon to family buyers. A Focused estate - you might say.