Ford Focus Trend TDCi Sedan 2012 Review

Price Guide: (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $30,500
Options fitted: (not included in above price): None
Crash rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 5.5
CO2 emissions (g/km): 144
Also consider: Holden Cruze Diesel, Mazda Mazda3 MZR-CD, Renault Megane dCi, Volkswagen Jetta 103TDI

A long time ago, Ford’s Laser ruled the Australian small car class. Its latter-day equivalent, the Focus, is today just another player in a segment so competitive that there is very little room to move, except maybe for discounted retail pricing.

But Ford is giving itself every chance with the latest LW Focus, introduced in mid 2011 to hopefully act as something of a game-changer, bringing technology normally reserved for cars a little upmarket of a range of hatchbacks and sedans that opens at a tad over $20,000.

Indicative of the levels car-makers must go to in order to offer a credible competitive advantage, the LW Focus offers adaptive cruise control, bi-Xenon headlights and automatic parking in an extensive options list that would have been inconceivable in this category a few short years ago.

These days it’s almost a given that any all-new car will achieve a five-star ANCAP rating and naturally the Focus doesn’t disappoint. It features a full complement of safety gear including six airbags, anti-lock brakes, “Torque Vectoring Control”, stability control, traction control, Emergency Brake Assist, Hill Launch Assist and emergency brake lights that flash during panic stops.

But that is not what the Focus is all about. Perhaps more importantly, the small Ford has stepped up a notch or two in refinement with a noticeable air of class about the cabin to match the aspirations of its creators.

With its cosy, feature-laden cockpit and attention to fit and finish, the overall impression is anything but a budget small car – hardly a surprise given the segment’s role in overall car sales – and the Focus is a likely alternative to members of the Euro pack, spearheaded by the Volkswagen Golf.

The front seats of the Focus are particularly cosy and supportive, and the controls, apart from a bit of visual overload, are laid out logically. The jaunty angles on the sound system’s control pad seem to demand a little more concentration than you’d normally expect when changing stations or selecting from the radio/phone/CD buttons. At least volume is regulated by a simple, twist control.

A surprise was the rather tight rear seat legroom where not a lot of space is left if taller passengers (who are provided with good legroom) are travelling up front. The Focus hardly seems any more generous in this respect than the smaller (and narrower inside) Fiesta. The Trend doesn’t get a centre rear armrest either.

The boot, quoted at a capacity of 421 litres for the space-saver equipped, second-rung Trend, is pretty generous for a small car, although the opening could be bigger and the primitive hinges intrude on space at the sides.

Our test Trend sedan, fitted with the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel, was, at $30,500 pre on-road costs, more than eight grand above the entry 1.6-litre petrol Ambiente hatch. Focus sedans (petrol and diesel) are only available with Ford’s six-speed dual-clutch PowerShift transmission.

The Duratorq unit is the third engine up from the normally aspirated 92kW/159Nm 1.6-litre and 125kW/202Nm 2.0-litre petrol engines. At 120kW, its power is within 5kW of the 2.0-litre petrol engine but, in the manner typical of turbodiesels, torque is what really brings it alive with a decent 340Nm between 2000rpm and 3250rpm. Its fuel consumption slips in well below the petrol engines with a combined fuel figure of 5.5L/100km, while the 144g/km CO2 figure is equal to the 1.6-litre petrol and better than the 2.0-litre which alternates between 154g/km and 167g/km depending on configuration and transmission.

By all environmental measures, the Focus diesel is ahead of its keenest rival, the Holden Cruze diesel. A small weight advantage conspires to equalise the slightly higher torque output of the Holden (it manages 360Nm at 1750rpm) in terms of performance.

The bottom line is that Focus and Cruze diesels have distinct drivetrain similarities that would not swing buyers clearly one way or the other – but for one thing. Where the Holden uses a regular six-speed auto, the Focus is gifted with an efficient twin-clutch gearbox that contributes not just to economy and emissions figures, but also to its crispness on the road.

PowerShift manual gear selections are made via small, shift-lever mounted rocker switch which is neither intuitive, nor easy to operate. Why Ford hasn’t simply gone the route of a simple side-shuffle to activate manual mode isn’t easy to figure. We also found the system reverted quickly to full-auto mode after a manual selection had been made.

Our test car returned an average 6.2L/100km during a week of driving in a variety of conditions. Not untypical of any test car, this didn’t equate with the official combined figure of 5.5L/100km although more time with the Focus would have probably pulled the real-world average down a bit. Still, the 60-litre fuel tank (strangely bigger than the petrol versions’ 55 litres) augurs well for long distances between fuel stops. Single-tank trip distances of 1000km could be on the cards for frugal drivers.

The PowerShift transmission ensures the diesel wastes none of its already generous torque, either on takeoff, or when pulling out to pass slower vehicles. There’s a distinctly sporty nature to the Ford with its controlled, comfy ride and quick (2.5 turns from lock to lock), if slightly under-weighted steering.

An initial surprise, particularly in a sedan (which is normally quieter inside than a hatchback), was the noticeable tyre noise. Maybe this impression was partly due to the other aspects of the car – drivetrain and wind noise – being proportionately less intrusive.

Typically diesel, the TDCi engine emitted some clatter on start-up, but disappeared into the background once under way. On the road, it’s virtually impossible to detect apart from the strong mid-range responses.

With its equipment levels (standard on Trend sedan are voice-controlled Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, trip computer, air-conditioning, cruise control, six-speaker audio and 16-inch alloy wheels), and options including auto wipers and headlights, electro chromatic rearview mirror and follow-me-home headlights, not much is left wanting in the Focus Trend sedan.

And if you yearn for more high-tech, you can specify the topline Titanium sedan (and hatch) that comes with self-parking, climate control, 18-inch alloys, heated seats and sports suspension, while offering bi-Xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control and a power sunroof as optional.

The Ford’s crisp new looks, with its hatchback-style, tapering rear deck, slick profile and aggressive front end are merely icing on an already ingredient-rich cake.

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