10 May 2012 by Parkers Team

  • Energetic engine offers decent performance
  • Promises 58.9mpg, 109g/km CO2 emissions
  • Will cost £35 a month for 20% tax payers 

Ordinarily, a medium-sized hatchback with a one-litre petrol engine under the bonnet doesn’t sound like much fun.

Indeed, it sounds like downsizing too far, but the latest Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost is not what you might expect. With a turbocharger, a six-speed manual gearbox and 99bhp to play with it’s entirely enough for most jobs: cruising on the motorway, zipping around city centres and snaking along a twisty B-road. Okay, the performance isn’t stunning - 0-62mph takes 11.3 seconds - but it feels energetic enough when you are putting your foot down. You might even call it entertaining.

This version of the Ford Focus is entirely welcome in the current climate. Petrol’s around 6p cheaper than diesel and with a claimed average fuel economy of 58.9mpg, the fleet manager shouldn’t be too disappointed with the running costs.

Like all Ford Focuses in the range, it handles well and it’s comfortable too. In terms of the ride you’ll only feel the harshest of potholes, while poorly surfaced roads are dealt with admirably. It’s another fine-riding Ford Focus after all.

Inside, corners have not been cut – the dashboard is made from soft-touch plastics, the seats are well bolstered and the switchgear is robust. The layout is a little arcane, particularly in the higher-spec trims, but you soon get used to the vast array of controls.

If there is a criticism, it’s that the steering is devoid of feel but that’s a minor problem particularly when you consider the rest of the car’s impressive handling abilities. It corners well and with that slightly vocal yet torquey three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the absence of proper feel coming through the wheel is soon forgotten.

In order to achieve the impressive fuel economy and the relatively low CO2 emissions of 109g/km, Ford has included a range of technologies that are usually found on its diesel Econetic models. Stop/start, regenerative charging, an active grille shutter to improve aerodynamics, a gearshift indicator and low-rolling resistance tyres are all included.

So what's it going to cost you per month to run the EcoBoost Focus as a company car?

This version has a P11d value of £17,390 and it falls in to12% Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rating. That means you’ll pay £35 a month if you are a 20% tax payer and £70 a month if you are in the 40% bracket. That is hardly a king’s ransom and it's much cheaper than say a Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI S that’ll cost you £49 a month if you are a 20% tax payer.

So a nice car to drive with affordable monthly costs - all a company car driver needs.

For the full Ford Focus review click here.

Also consider:
Volkswagen Golf

Great 1.2-litre engine that defies its 84bhp power output. Might please those where a more premium badge is important.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

The 1.4 Multi Air Veloce TCT emits 121g/km of CO2 and returns a claimed average of 54.3mpg. It’s a left-field choice.

Honda Civic

The 1.4-litre petrol version is the direct rival but there's nowhere near as much torque as the Focus. It’ll be bulletproof though.