Key facts:
Models tested: Ford Focus 161bhp 2.0-litre TDCi
Price range: £15,995 - £25,095
Date tested: January 2011
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

The all-new Ford Focus five-door family hatchback goes on sale in March with an estate version to follow in the summer.

The Focus will go up against the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf and builds on a 12-year heritage which has accounted for 1.4 million UK sales and built an enviable reputation as a fun-to-drive car.

The 2011 Focus includes an evolutionary updated design, an impressive raft of new technology and a selection of new and revised engines offering improved economy and reduced CO2 emissions for cheaper tax.

Appealing wraparound rear light clusters help give the Focus a sleeker, more contemporary look which works best from the rear and in profile, while the new face is more assertive.

It is 1-2cm lower, longer and narrower than the outgoing model while the interior moves upmarket with better detailing and higher quality materials.

Where the Focus moves things forward is through an impressive selection of driver aids. Adaptive cruise control is ideally suited to UK roads as, in addition to maintaining a constant speed, it also adapts that speed to maintain set distances from vehicles ahead.

Automatic park assist steers the car into parallel parking spaces, as you dab the brakes and accelerator, while technology will keep you from drifting across lanes, minimise the impact of low-speed crashes, enable you to monitor the view behind the car when reversing and prevent you filling up with the wrong fuel.

Ford's engineers have built on the Focus's reputation for driving pleasure by fitting electric power-assisted steering, stiffening up the body and updating the suspension systems. Also key is the introduction of Torque Vectoring Control which, by optimising the amount of power delivered to each front wheel, increases stability through corners.

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There will be four diesel and three petrol engines at launch (automatic options, where available, in brackets):

• 1.6-litre TDCi: 94bhp, 67mpg, 109g/km CO2, 112mph, 12.5sec 0-62mph
• 1.6-litre TDCi: 113bhp, 67mpg, 109g/km CO2, 120mph, 10.9sec 0-62mph
• 2-litre TDCi: 138bhp, 57(53)mpg, 129(139)g/km CO2, 129(122)mph, 8.9(9.5)sec 0-62mph
• 2-litre TDCi: 161bhp, 56.5( 53)mpg, 129(139)g/km CO2, 135(134)mph, 8.6 (8.9)sec 0-62mph

• 1.6-litre TiVCT: 104bhp, 47.9mpg, 136g/km CO2, 116mph, 12.3sec 0-62mph
• 1.6-litre TiVCT: 123bhp, 47.9mpg, 136g/km CO2, 122mph, 10.9sec 0-62mph
• 1.6-litre EcoBoost: 148bhp, 47.1mpg, 139g/km CO2, 130mph, 8.6sec 0-62mph

The upgraded 161bhp 2-litre diesel engine seems a little noisy at tick-over but offers a compelling package of pulling power which makes overtaking easy and motoring economical. The EcoBoost, which debuted in the C-Max is expected to woo those who prefer petrol.

The Focus will be available in four trim levels:
• Edge: Starting from £15,995 and including air-con, electric front windows and electronic stability programme.
• Zetec: Starting from £16,995 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather-trimmed steering wheel and sports style front seats.
• Titanium: Starting from £18, 745 adds automatic headlamps and wipers, keyless start and cruise control.
• Titanium X: Starting from £21,245 adds 17-inch alloy wheels , park assist and daytime running lights.

Ford has come up with a compelling argument to make the Focus the first port of call for many family hatchback buyers. It's certainly taken the fight to what most perceive as the more premium Golf.