Ford Focus Active 1.0 Ecoboost 2019 review

The Focus Active conducts itself much like a normal Focus, which means its steering is light, precise and nicely geared but a little keen to self-centre. Meanwhile, the manual gearshift has a gentle, accurate throw but not much in the way of feel. They make a nice pair, each being satisfying and effortless to use – traits indicative of the whole Focus driving experience. 

In order to fit longer springs and dampers, Ford had to alter the Focus's suspension geometry. At a push, you could say the chassis now fidgets a touch more over rougher surfaces and the compression damping is more abrupt, but it's marginal, and in general this remains among the more supple yet controlled chassis in the class. On smooth surfaces, the extra height in the sidewalls of the high-profile tyres makes for a conspicuously plush ride; long-distance motorway runs would be swept up easily. 

The 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine we tried is well-mannered but not the most responsive or potent. When you're carrying passengers and luggage (particularly in the case of the estate, which raises boot capacity from 1354 to 1653 litres), its 123bhp and 148lb ft won't make for easy overtaking. You might therefore want to go for the 148bhp 1.5-litre Ecoboost or one of the Ecoblue diesels, both of which have usefully more torque. Further down the line, Ford might offer the 179bhp petrol so far reserved for the Focus ST-Line and Vignale, but don't count on it.

In lieu of four-wheel drive, the Focus Active gets two extra driving modes that supplement the Normal, Eco and Sport of the standard car. Slippery mode tightens the reins of the stability control, cuts wheelspin earlier and, to that end, deadens throttle response, while Trial mode reduces ABS intervention to allow greater wheel slip on softer surfaces, thereby maintaining momentum. 

While the Focus Active sits taller than its rangemates, it's no longer, but the Focus already has a spacious interior, if a plain one. The Focus Active gains leather on its steering wheel and gearknob and model-unique scuffplates and seat cloth. It has a nice enough ambience and feels tough but not particularly cosseting.