Road Test
Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT Zetec
Test Date 14 December 2004
Price When New £14,445
Verdict
There can be no doubt that the new Focus is a better car than its predecessor. Objectively it does just about everything better. It offers stronger performance, greater refinement, a more spacious cabin and, though we thought it wasn’t possible, an even livelier chassis.
Only three things detract. First is the steering: although this car uses a conventional hydraulic system (the diesels and 2.0 petrols use an electro-hydraulic system), it falls short of the previous car’s excellent rack. Second is the styling: this is in no way a bad-looking car, but it’s so much blander now, so unarresting. But the third is more difficult to overcome. There can be no doubt that the opposition has caught up with the Focus to the extent that it can no longer put clean air between itself and the opposition on the road. Yes, it remains the most competent and fun, but by nothing like the margin its predecessor enjoyed.
In light of that, we’d argue that this car is still quite some achievement. The competition has had its chance to beat the Focus, but it remains the best of the lot. By a whisker.
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