What is it?
The Focus Active is Ford’s attempt to claw back territory for the conventional hatchback – territory lost to an onslaught of SUVs, including its own mid-sized option, the Kuga.
And it might have hit on something, because there are good reasons why you might buy a Focus Active instead of an SUV. Without four-wheel drive, a towering frontal area and beefed-up bodywork, it's respectively less expensive to buy, more fuel efficient and easier to manoeuvre, but a 30mm increase in ride height over the standard Focus still makes it easier to slide into and gives occupants a bit of a perch. Because this is a Focus, it should also be far better to drive than any comparable ‘sports’ utility vehicle.
To make up for the fact that the Focus Active is ultimately not an SUV are lots of rugged-looking styling additions. Black plastic conspicuously adorns a new front bumper, from where it flows down the sides of the car, looping over the wheelarches in a style you’ll find on everything from the Fiat Panda 4x4 to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain. The grille is also blacked out, because chrome just doesn’t look very tough, and naturally the skidplates are false.
Mechanically, the Focus Active is almost identical to the standard hatchback, offering a choice of three-cylinder turbocharged petrol and four-cylinder diesel engines driving the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. The trim levels, Active and Active X, slot in at Zetec level, only with sat-nav and privacy glass as standard. Both come equipped with independent rear suspension, while Active X adds 18in alloy wheels and a panoramic roof.
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adrian888
Ford Streetwise.....
Oh how i recall all the mocking of the Rover 25 Streetwise...... a Mondeo Active estate with 4wd would give the Passat Alltrack and Insignia Country a run for their money.
fadyady
Comparison with Porsche
xxxx
Will it sell?
Probably, especially to old school Ford buyers due to fact Ford doesn't have a THB (Tall Hatch Back/ SUV if you will ) model in this segment. Kuga is costs more and has a much bigger foot print than the Focus, ECOSport - need I say more.
Ford cut backs - This method is alot cheaper than developing stand alone models I suppose, Rover Streetwise Method me thinks.
The Apprentice
Don't Volvo do a lot of this
Don't Volvo do a lot of this stuff? jack it up a bit and stick some cladding on. Not sure its a great seller for them either.
mesumguy
XC Models are now Volvos bread and butter
You have to special order a normal V90 wagon in America. The dealers only stock cross country models.
Will86
Makes a lot of sense
Not everyone wants a bulky SUV but having a little extra ground clearance makes light off roading (think gravel track or a grass field) that little bit easier. Fit a decent set of tyres and this should do all that most people need.
xxxx
30mm Not quite as high as you think
Got this from the Autocar Mk4 Focus review "new Focus as tested right here is a five-door ..... and it’s 15mm lower"
Not scientific I know but you wonder just shows you best take a ruler to show rooms
michael knight
"instead of an SUV. Without
"instead of an SUV. Without four-wheel drive, a towering frontal area and beefed-up bodywork, it's respectively less expensive to buy, more fuel efficient and easier to manoeuvre"
Err..most of the compact SUV / X-over crowd are FWD and have a frontal area no bigger than a Focus. This is marketing trying to create justififcation for a segment.
Mini2
Less SUV, more hatch.
They are significantly more jacked up than this Focus, though. I'd argue that the points about fuel efficiency and easier manoeuvrability are valid - having just gone from test driving a Karoq to a Leon myself.
Peter Cavellini
Join the Gang?
Just another jacked up Saloon?
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