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Ford Focus 2015 review – Is the tech-loaded new-look Focus a Golf beater? - Ride and handling

Ford’s best-seller returns in its sleekest form yet

Evo rating
RRP
from £16,245
  • Composed chassis, refined ride, strong engine performance
  • But those engines are thirsty

Ride and handling 

Once rolling, the new car’s firmer bushes and tighter setup are immediately obvious – the car feeling taut but pliant over cracks and drain hole covers. 

When pressing on, the suspension does a good job of flattening out uneven surfaces but avoids going so far as becoming wallowy, instead allowing a communicative amount of body roll. Naturally the car pushes into understeer, and takes a safe, predictable line through corners. Really attack a corner and the rear of the car does begin to hint at play, but unlike the more dynamic Fiesta, the Focus remains planted. 

A welcome arrival is more responsive steering, the EPAS having been finely tuned so the wheels react more rapidly to inputs, and the result is a feeling of added agility. Whilst the electric system lacks feel, it’s consistent and precise enough to effectively combine with that sure-footed chassis. 

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The heavier estate (admittedly it’s only 40kg heavier) is almost indistinguishable from the hatch, despite its 198mm longer body. Even when fully loaded, the Focus estate’s body control impresses.

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