Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Focus 2015 review – Is the tech-loaded new-look Focus a Golf beater? - Prices, specs and rivals

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

Prices, specs and rivals

While the Focus’ new lines and cleaned up dash mean it’s more attractive than ever, it’s impossible to ignore the desirability of VW’s Golf and Audi’s A3. Where the Focus trumps the pair is on value for money, because a top-spec Titanium X 1.5 EcoBoost commands £23,820, where as the equivalent Golf would set you back several thousand more. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Examples include the Golf GT TSI (the latest of which comes with 158bhp and can hit 62 in 8.4sec), which is priced at £27,405, and the similarly specced but less powerful 148bhp Audi A3 1.4-litre TFSI Sport starts from £23,645. 

More closely matched to the Focus is the Vauxhall Astra. Though the Vauxhall offers similar levels of value and day-to-day practicality – the 158bhp 1.6-litre CDTi diesel can manage a claimed 70.6mpg combined – it lags behind the Ford with a less punchy engine range. Placed alongside the Focus, we think it’s a little bland looking too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Puma review – the best-seller that’s still no patch on the Fiesta
Ford Puma
In-depth reviews

Ford Puma review – the best-seller that’s still no patch on the Fiesta

The Ford Puma melds some of the Fiesta’s charm with big-selling crossover form factor, but we still miss a proper small Ford hatch
21 Aug 2026
Lotus Exige V6 (S3, 2011-2021) review – a mini supercar for Golf GTI money
Lotus Exige S V6
In-depth reviews

Lotus Exige V6 (S3, 2011-2021) review – a mini supercar for Golf GTI money

For the S3 generation the Lotus Exige got a lot brawnier, trading the four-cylinder engines it had hitherto utilised for a supercharged Toyota V6
21 Aug 2026
Lotus wants to save its Norfolk factory by developing and building other company's sports cars
Lotus factory
Features

Lotus wants to save its Norfolk factory by developing and building other company's sports cars

The Emira will live on and there's an Esprit supercar on the way, but Lotus has another plan to keep Hethel active
18 Aug 2026