Verdict
The Ford Focus Estate is a good-looking addition to the line-up of Britain's best-selling car. It's also more practical and packed with equipment.

Expert rating: 3.7

Pros
• Refinement
• Great interior
• Engaging to drive

Cons
• Other rivals are more practical
• Some versions are pricey
• Up front can feel cramped

1. Exterior: 4/5
From the large trapezoidal front grille, to the zig-zag character line identifiable in profile, the Focus estate offers a more mature, class shape. It looks especially good in the Candy Red of our test car, with optional 18-inch five-spoke alloys. It's just a shame that the elongated body couldn't incorporate the hatchback's very neat integrated fuel filler.

2. Interior: 4/5
If contemporary is your thing, you'll like this cabin. There's a rich mix of materials with both smooth and angular surfaces that contrast confidently against the staunch conservatism of the Volkswagen Golf. But unfortunately, the wrap-around dashboard eats into driver and passenger legroom.

3. Practicality: 3/5
The estate has the same wheelbase as the hatchback, but it's 198cm longer. The boot has a very low lip, making loading and unloading incredibly easy. There are plenty of practical considerations in the back too, like the pair of chunky grab handles, 12v power lead, curry hooks, space-saver tyre and rear seats that fold flat. Unfortunately, the boot isn't actually that big. Standard capacity is 476 litres, extending to 1,502 litres, which is significantly bettered elsewhere.

4. Ride and handling: 4/5
The Focus estate is one of the most engaging cars to drive in this segment. The electric power steering is a little lacking in feel but it weights up nicely as you gain speed. Ride quality is impressive, while the body control and high-speed stability are commendable.

5. Performance: 4/5
A range of petrol and diesel engines with the best-selling oil burner expected to be the 1.6-litre unit. It needs a generous boot of throttle to get moving but has more than enough performance. More impressive is the 148bhp Ecoboost petrol engine, which has been turbocharged to offer the performance of a 2.0-litre petrol but with greater economy. Buyers seem to be heading this way too, with early indications suggesting that this could become the biggest seller. We don't blame them.

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6. Running costs: 3/5
The 1.6TDCi emits 109g/km of CO2, with a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg. However, it is priced a little above the Volkswagen Golf 1.6-litre TDi Golf Bluemotion Technology and is unlikely to achieve the same residual performance. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost emits 139g/km of CO2, pitching it into Group E, and does 47.1mpg on the combined run.

7. Reliability: 4/5
It's too early to comment on likely reliability but the amount of endurance testing this car went through should ensure dependability.

8. Safety: 4/5
All models come with ABS, electronic stability programme and traction control, as well as driver, passenger, front and rear curtain airbags. The optional Driver Assistance Pack provides automatic high beam, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning plus technology that detects if you're feeling drowsy and a low-speed safety system that will apply the brakes on your behalf if it detects a collision is imminent.

9. Equipment: 4/5
The entry-level Edge gets 16-inch alloys, air conditioning, DAB digital radio, roof rails and a tonneau cover, plus Ford's Easy-Fuel system to prevent refuelling mishaps. Zetec adds sports-style front seats, fog lights and some chrome detailing while Titanium gets an upgraded Sony stereo and hill start assist. Top spec Titanium X is marked out by the daytime running LED headlights. Zetec upwards benefit from the excellent Quickclear heated front windscreen.

10. Why buy? 3/5
The Ford Focus Estate has never been so stylish and refined, nor has it had such a compelling engine in the form of the 1.6-litre EcoBoost.