Overview

In late 2021, Ford facelifted the fourth-generation Focus hatchback – and the Estate model was dragged along in its wake. Updates to the car include a new front bumper, fresh LED headlights and redesigned grille with a big “Ford” badge in its centre, echoing the design tweaks that featured on the updated Fiesta supermini.

Inside, the revised Focus Estate also gained a new 13.2-inch widescreen infotainment system, which runs on the same SYNC 4 software used on the pure-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. Practicality remains the same as the pre-facelift model – there’s 575 litres of boot space with the rear seats up or 1,650 litres with the bench stowed.

The trim-level structure is near-enough the same as before, too. The range opens with Ford’s back-to-basics Trend model, above which sits the Titanium, sporty ST-Line and off-road inspired Active specifications. However, the pre-facelift car’s flagship Vignale variant has been repurposed as the badge for Ford’s option pack, which bolts-on items like a digital gauge cluster, electrically adjustable seats and rear privacy glass.

Since the Mk1 model was launched in the 1990s, the Focus Estate has garnered quite the reputation for its mix of practicality and driver engagement. Now, there are plenty of rivals eager to knock it off its perch, such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate, Hyundai i30 Tourer and the new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

Despite its extensive cosmetic and technology tweaks, Ford hasn’t made many changes to the Focus Estate’s engine range. Like pre-facelift cars, buyers have a choice of three 1.0-litre petrol engines (two of which feature mild hybrid assistance) and one diesel engine, while performance fans can have a 280hp 2.3-litre petrol with the ST model.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the Focus Estate’s engine range, but the decision to shy away from electrification might become a problem for the car. Rivals brands Skoda and Volkswagen are rapidly shifting towards electrification, with both offering plug-in hybrid powertrains in their mid-sized estates. That makes them a more interesting proposition for company car drivers than the Focus.

Read on for our in-depth review of the Ford Focus Estate. Over the next few pages, we’ll consider each aspect of the car in detail, starting with its practicality and moving through its safety, comfort, technology, running costs, performance and driving experience. We’ll then give our final rating in our verdict page.