Ford Focus hatchback (2011 - ) six month test: practicality
22.09.2011 - Adrian Higgins
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Practicality is one of the biggest requirements of a small family car and this month Web Editor Adrian Higgins has been focusing on this aspect of our Ford Focus Long-Term Test.
The boot may be smaller than those of its rivals but the Focus remains a very versatile car. Perhaps, above all else, the family hatchback has to be practical.
The 316-litre boot space offered by the Ford Focus does not compare favourably with the 350 litres offered by its key rivals, the Vauxhall Astra and the Volkswagen Golf.
This is partly down to the car's styling but also reflects that within Ford and across car makers in general there is a greater choice available to cover people's car needs than ever before.
The choice between supermini, small family car and large family car has been blurred to include people carriers, 4x4s, crossovers and everything in between.
So those looking for greater interior space from their Ford can now consider the C-MAX, Grand C-MAX and their big brothers, the S-MAX and Ford Galaxy.
And while the boot space might be smaller than that of its rivals it's very easily accessed and still offers plenty of space for most purposes, while flipping down the back seats is easy, creating load space of 1,100 litres.
It certainly hasn't put off new car buyers, who have made the Focus the second most bought car of the first half of 2011, with only its Fiesta stable-mate finding more homes.
This view is endorsed by one driver whose Owner Review reads "roomy enough for a family, good luggage space".
The bulky central console intrudes within the cabin more than it does in the Golf and Astra, but over my first two months ownership I have become used to this fairly quickly.
Storage solutions within the car are well thought-out and effective. From the roomy door wells, to the armrest area to the nooks which nestle beside the rear passengers, you won't be short of places to store coins, keys, mobile phones and more.
The Focus has coped with the demands of family motoring very well so far and the reduced boot space compared to rivals has passed pretty much unnoticed.
Key facts:
Model: Ford Focus
Price: 19,745
Mileage: 1645
