Ford Focus ST-Line Wagon 2019 Review

The doors of the all-new 2019 Ford Focus thud softly shut as I settle into the cabin. There's no gear lever because it's been replaced with a compact dial.

Start-up is the push of a button. And even after a short suburban cruise it's clear this car is more refined.

On the freeway the pre-emptive attitude of its semi-autonomous steering (a $1250 option but well worth the coin) is up there with the best luxury brands from Germany.

Indeed, Ford’s small car has clearly gone upmarket and the transformation is considerable although it's offset by a higher sticker price. The Ford Focus ST-Line wagon on test starts at $30,990, and goes higher with options. But more on that later.

The Australian-market 2019 Ford Focus is now built in Germany and, while it's true the small Ford has always been known for its engaging drive, spending time in this fourth-generation Focus is like devouring a greasy kebab after a big night out -- unforgettably satisfying.

Unless you don’t eat meat. Then it's like Portobello mushrooms sautéed in cold-pressed hemp oil with sustainably grown non-GMO garlic.

What I'm trying to say is the new Focus responds to driver inputs with intuitive ease. You always feel in complete control, whether blazing along a sun-drenched coastal road that zags and zigs its way gently around undulating hills, or simply navigating the suburbs or the shopping centre carpark.

It's the kind of car you look forward to driving, with plenty of charisma and dynamic flair, and it makes you feel good just getting into it. It's the opposite of dull. It's vibrant.

The power steering is spot-on, a pleasant balance between lightness and luxury for everyday duties, and the turning circle isn't bad at 10.6m (kerb to kerb). There's a fair bit of steering feedback thrown in for those who appreciate an apex, too.

The vehicle on test here is the Ford Focus ST-Line wagon. Its sports suspension means it’s 10mm closer to the bitumen and rides a bit firmer. Road holding is excellent, grip levels are good and overall this car is well balanced and charming to drive. It delivers ride comfort and dynamic response in equal measure.

We’re confident the 2019 Ford Focus is an impressive car to drive across a range of scenarios and part of this praise has to go to the new C2 platform underneath it, which will underpin a whole swag of new Ford cars over the next decade.

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine that is the Focus’ beating heart also contributes. As far as turbo triples go, it’s a goodie, generating 134kW of power at 6000rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1600rpm for a liberal spread of thrust across the rev range.

BMW makes a similarly-sized unit, but it's not as polished, nor responsive. True blue, the power delivery in this machine feels more like a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, only with a more sonorous exhaust warble…

This characterful engine is also shared with the new Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch the only version of the new Fiesta for Aussie consumption) but doesn't sizzle quite as much at that model's 147kW and 290Nm outputs.

This engine is more efficient, smoother and more tractable at low speeds, so you'll never have to pump the throttle to get a wriggle on. At the other end of the scale, the three-cylinder engine is keen to rev and its top-end, between 5-6000rpm, provides the car with plenty of hustle.

The Focus gets an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard and it’s a big improvement over the controversial (and ultimately flawed) six-speed dual-clutch PowerShift transmission. Indeed, in terms of operation, the new gearbox pairs well with the lively engine.

All new Focus models feature paddle-shifters that deliver rapid shifts but, the car's computer brain does such a good job of selecting the right gear for the job that you'll rarely need to engage the manual override.

Fuel consumption during our test was okay at 7.9L/100km, given a bit of lead-footing. Ford claims 6.4L/100km for the standard Combined test cycle.

On top of its refined, sophisticated feel, the new 2019 Ford Focus has excellent semi-automated driving aids. You'll need to pay $1250 for the driver assistance pack that adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go (useful in traffic congestion) but you also get a savvy speed sign recognition system and (my favourite) lane-centring steering.

During a 45-minute freeway cruise at night time, I didn’t touch the throttle or brakes at all and only nudged the steering wheel every 30sec or so, as the automated steering did an outstanding job of keeping the car in the middle of its lane.

It's one of the most sensitive, proactive systems I've used and is a sign of things to come.

The automatic high-beam LED headlights were pretty good too, working a little like Audi's LED matrix system by illuminating overhead traffic signs in the distance without dazzling other drivers.

The 2019 Ford Focus’ improved levels of sophistication and refinement don't come cheap, even if the automatic is included as standard (there is no manual option).

At this stage the most affordable 2019 Ford Focus, the Trend, is pegged at $25,990 plus on-road costs (you can add another $1500 give or take).

Rivals like the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf are officially priced from $20,490, $22,870 and $24,990 respectively, so the new Ford Focus needs to be pretty special, because that's a decent premium.

Beyond the base Trend hatch auto, prices extend to the ST-Line hatch ($28,990), the Titanium hatch ($34,490) and the $30,990 ST-Line wagon tested here (there’s no word yet of a new Focus sedan for Australia).

Ford will also offer the high-riding Focus Active to Aussie buyers – with its crossover stance and add-ons.

But the new Ford Focus has not only panache but a long list of standard features to justify its price premium, beyond the automatic transmission.

Standard across the range are alloy wheels and a high-res 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and SYNC3 voice control.

There’s also climate control, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights and wipers, six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Factor in safety features like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist, car and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, reversing camera, post-impact braking function, a full suite of airbags front and rear, plus hill-start assist, and the high asking price starts to sting a little less.

Check out our Ford Focus pricing story for the full rundown on all models and their equipment lines.

The vehicle we tested ahead of the official Focus launch was the Ford Focus ST-Line wagon, which goes for $30,990… The high-spec version we drove sported all the options, hiking the price to $36,590.

The ST-Line wagon costs $2000 more than the ST-Line hatch and standard equipment includes a body kit with roof spoiler, side skirts and sporty front and rear bumpers, not to mention sports suspension with a 10mm lower ride height.

LED brake lights, tinted windows, chromed tailpipes, dual-zone climate control, tyre pressure monitor, keyless entry/start plus 17-inch alloy wheels and wireless phone charging are also included.

Our test car had optional extras such as the driver assistance package ($1250) (which is my pick if you can only stretch to one option pack) along with the panoramic glass roof ($2000), which I never opened once. Prestige paint ($550) and the design pack ($1800) which adds fancy-pants 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights and automatic high-beam, completed the build list.

The ST-Line interior also has a more sporty ambience with a chunky flat-bottom steering wheel, metal pedals and red stitching everywhere. The seats are comfortable and driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment for the seat and wheel.

One area in which Ford is trying to build its brand is after-sales customer service and loyalty. To this end it offers free loan cars while servicing, along with free auto club membership and roadside assist.

There’s also a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price service plan as part of the deal too. The service intervals are 12-months or 15,000km, whichever come first, and will cost $299 per service for the first five years.

Longer and wider than its predecessor, the new 2019 Ford Focus wagon measures almost 4.7m long (4668mm) and close to 2.0m wide (1979mm) including the wing mirrors, which is similar to some large cars and SUVs.

Sitting on a longer 2700mm wheelbase, the new Focus has scads of room inside and I'd be inclined to call the wagon more of a ‘family’ than a ‘small’ car. The boot, for example, is pretty spacious with 608 litres of cargo up to the window line, expanding to 1653 litres with the rear seats folded.

The rear seats flip down easily from the tailgate end plus there's top-tether and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. Two shopping bag holders in the boot are handy, as are four tie-down points and a secret boot compartment.

Other things I liked about the new Ford Focus wagon include the sense of space up front, thanks to the removal of a traditional gear lever, as mentioned above.

Incidental storage is good with lots of little cubbies for your odds and sods. The trip computer is excellent. Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system keeps getting better (it’s now very good) and the climate control system is intuitive.

The new Ford Focus wagon weighs 1388kg and although small cars used to weigh a lot less, the extra mass these days is due to electronics and safety. More high tensile strength metals and extra safety tech add weight, but the upside is a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

For a start, the new 2019 Ford Focus has too many buttons on the steering wheel -- although they do become easier to use over time. The spare wheel is a space-saver, the engine runs on an exclusive diet of premium unleaded petrol (95RON minimum) and the wing mirrors are a bit small.

Selecting reverse seems to take an eternity too (roughly 2sec), which saw the car roll forward on a slope a few times when trying to back up. Oh, and the driver’s seat tilt adjustment is via a dial. Give me a lever or give me nothing! Otherwise, the new Ford Focus is well worth the wait and won’t disappoint any potential buyer.

Bigger, roomier, more high-tech and eight years in the making, the 2019 Ford Focus ushers in a new era for the Blue Oval.

There's no hiding from the fact the new Focus is a more expensive proposition than its Thai-made predecessors (and, more importantly, its Japanese and German rivals) but I reckon it's well worth the extra dosh.

That said, Ford has never excelled at selling Focus Down Under. At this price it may prove an even tougher sell.

If it was priced under $25K, it would finally give the VW Golf a run for its money. But as good as the new Ford Focus is, Australia’s small car segment is too price-sensitive for it not to be judged accordingly.

How much does the 2019 Ford Focus ST-Line wagon cost?
Price: $30,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 134kW/240Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star Euro NCAP