• Sync 4 infotainment system works well
• Logical, high-quality cabin design
• Head-up display available

How is the quality and layout?

Ford seriously improved the quality of the Mk4 Focus’s interior – and the 2022 facelift model further narrowed the gap to more premium rivals such as the latest Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308.

The 13.2-inch infotainment system – standard across the reduced range available in 2025 – is worlds apart from the old 8.0-inch unit in terms of quality and performance, and the refreshed dashboard looks cleaner and feels sturdier.

Ford’s decision to move the climate controls onto the touchscreen works better than in many alternatives, too. Unlike some rivals, they’re always accessible from a fixed narrow menu at the bottom of the screen, rather than being buried deep in a sub-menu. That makes them relatively easy to operate on the move. But still not as easy as a set of conventional buttons would be.

Infotainment and tech

The larger 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system is excellent. It loads almost instantaneously and the graphics are crystal clear, even with the sun shining on the screen through the sunroof. As it’s now placed higher up on the dashboard, you barely need to divert your eyes from the road to read navigation instructions.

Ford’s Sync 4 software has also reduced the amount of inputs required to do simple tasks like change radio station or alter navigation instructions. Now, nearly everything is just a couple of prods away – an if you don’t want to fiddle with the screen on the move, you can use Ford’s natural voice recognition system instead.

There’s also an optional head-up display available on some models, including the latest X Editions. This displays items such as speed, sat-nav instructions and information from the traffic sign recognition system onto a small screen right in the driver’s sightline, meaning you never really need to take your eyes off the road.

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Comfort

• One of the best in class for comfort
• Supportive, well-shaped seats
• Rear passengers have lots of room

There’s plenty of adjustment in the Focus’s seat and steering column, meaning even the tallest of drivers should be able to get comfortable. The ST-Line’s sports seats are also very supportive, with a particularly good lumbar setting.

We found the Active variant a little more difficult to get comfortable in, as Ford has raised up the seat mounting to suit the car’s SUV-esque appearance. The lowest setting on the Active variant’s seat is a couple of inches higher than the standard car’s, which means tall drivers will be constantly craning their necks under the roof to see through the windscreen.

For guidance on the suspension comfort, see the driving section on the next page of this review.