Ford Focus Active Review 2023

Our Ford Focus Active review comments that the vehicle “makes excellent use of the standard Focus as a base, adding denser styling and a hint of ruggedness to make it more suited to urban jungles than the regular model.”

How does it sound? Although it may not seem much, the Ford Focus Active’s 30mm larger suspension allows you to pass over even the most challenging speed bumps without fear of hearing a scraping noise as the bumper kisses the Tarmac.

Even the heavier body kit of the Active has its benefits, dispersing scratches and scrapes without causing harm to the painted panels. It’s not so much what’s changed as what hasn’t that makes Active appealing – it’s a joy to drive, just like any other Focus. It turns quickly and directly, glides straight on the highway, and is simple to go in town.

This impressive skill set requires a great motor, and Ford’s 1.0-liter petrol with 125hp fills the bill nicely. Its compact size results in excellent petrol fuel efficiency, but it’s also turbocharged for thrilling performance. It’s a tad raucous under acceleration, but its strong engine tone complements the Focus’s athletic, driven personality.

Do you want to save money on gas? Then, convert to the 1.5-liter diesel with 120 horsepower, which consumes less gasoline and is quieter on the highway.

This outstanding fuel efficiency is achieved because, contrary to appearances, the Focus Active does not have all-wheel drive. Instead, you get two distinct driving modes (accessible through the driver selection located between the front seats) that assist the front wheels in gaining a grip on slick roads.

The flashes of blue on the upholstery are the only other indication that this is an Active Focus rather than a casual vehicle. All Active variants include Ford’s premium 8-inch head-up display, while Active X models add a glass roof and half-leather seats.

Whatever model you pick, getting a comfortable driving posture is simple, and tall adults in the rear will be pleased even if you and your front-seat passenger are tall. Even the boot has improved from my pitiful size on the previous Focus.

So, if you’re searching for a car that can manage the ups and downs of city life while still keeping you going on slick roads and tracks, the Focus Active should be just up your alley.

Is the Ford Focus Active the right vehicle for you?

If you want a rugged family vehicle that drives like a hatchback, the Ford Focus Active is your model. It won’t handle off-roading like a regular SUV, but it laughs at speed bumps and finds traction on the slickest of highways.

Forget about rolly-polly SUV handling; the Active feels as sharp in corners as the conventional Focus, and its operating costs won’t drain your bank account like an SUV’s.

The Focus Active has a sensible cabin with good electronics and a comprehensive list of safety features, making it a safe pick in more ways than one.

Which Ford Focus Active model and engine should I get?

The 125 PS 1.0-liter petrol engine from Ford is a great all-around performer. It costs money to operate, but because of its turbocharger, it has plenty of zip around town. Are you planning a lot of lengthy journeys? Then go for the 120PS diesel, which feels more powerful on the highway and is even more economical.

The Focus can be had in two trim levels: Active and Active X. Even on the base model, the equipment is adequate, but Active X vehicles are worth the extra cost. X vehicles add an opening glass roof, half leather seats, and keyless entry to the essential car’s four electric windows, air conditioning, and top-of-the-line electronics.

All variants are available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Still, it dulls acceleration and is unnecessary when the Ford Focus Active’s six-speed manual is so fast and straightforward.

What other vehicles are comparable to the Ford Focus Active?

Finding a direct competitor to the Ford Focus Active isn’t easy. Scout and Alltrack versions of the 2019 Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf are expected, but they will have four-wheel drive, making them heavier on gasoline than the Focus.

Due to their aerodynamic, boxy forms, even two-wheel-drive versions of classic SUVs will cost more to operate than the Focus. Perhaps the finest option is available at a Ford dealership in the guise of the smaller but no less capable Ford Fiesta Active.

Ford Focus Active’s interior design and comfort

Suppose you believe the Ford Focus Active looks almost identical to a regular Focus on the exterior. In that case, you won’t be shocked to find that it seems nearly similar on the interior, either.

How do you tell them apart? Ford Focus Active cars receive blue flashes on their seats and a handful of additional driving modes on the drive selector between the front seats, and that’s all. Does it make a difference? The simple answer is no. There is so little wrong with the Focus’s interior that Ford would be impulsive to adjust it.

With the Active’s superb driving posture, things get off to a good start. The steering wheel and driver’s seat can be adjusted to fit practically anybody; with the supportive driver’s seat set to its highest position, the Active’s formal suspension provides a little better perspective of the road than the primary vehicle.

You can lower your chair onto the floor, just as in the ordinary model, creating a sporty sensation that complements how the Focus (even this Active edition) adheres to corners.

And the way the dashboard is built reflects this underlying simplicity of usage. Yes, you get the standard enormous infotainment screen, but you also get big knobs and buttons for the radio and ventilation system, so you don’t have to rip your hair out searching through on-screen menus to crank up the warmth.

The disadvantage of this method is that the interior seems fussy and even obsolete. There are a plethora of buttons that you won’t find in the beautifully clean interior of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. However, if you’re willing to compromise on looks for usefulness, the Active will be ideal. It just works.

Finishing and quality

If you want to replace your old Focus (discontinued in 2018) with a new model, you’ll notice a significant improvement in interior quality. Plastics that were hard and brittle in the previous model are now squishy and squidgy.

However, it is not without flaws. The center console between the front seats is still constructed of harsh and scratchy materials, and you get the impression Ford couldn’t decide which plastic texture to use, so it used a little bit of everything. If we’re being brutal, it does seem a little sloppy.

This is especially true compared to the new Volkswagen Golf’s interior design, which looks and feels like a case study on how to make a cabin friendly.

On the plus side, the Ford Focus Active variant does not have Ford’s small primary infotainment screen seen on entry-level Style models. Instead, it starts with Zetec models, which means you get a bigger screen, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, and a front center armrest.

Active variants add distinctive flashes of blue to the seat fabric, and the windows behind your seat are shaded to keep the interior cool in the scorching heat.

The Active X variants seem slightly more upscale, with heated front seats and a glass top that floods the cabin with light. It features a solar-reflective coating to keep heat out and, unlike other glass roofs, opens with a little spoiler to lessen wind noise when driving.

The Ford Focus Active’s infotainment system includes a touchscreen, a USB port, navigation, and a radio.

The top-of-the-line 8-inch infotainment screen is standard on both the Ford Focus Active and Active X, and it is supplemented with a 4.2-inch color TFT display snuggled between the dials on the instrument binnacle.

The way the large infotainment screen stands prominently on the dash makes it seem like an afterthought, but there’s no denying it reduces the amount of time you need to take your eyes off the road while using it.

When juggling down the road, the touchscreen may be a bit hit-or-miss, but Ford makes it as simple as possible by organizing its menus into big tiles that are reasonably straightforward to tap. It’s a dynamic system with colorful visuals and a comprehensive suite of linked services included in the purchase of the automobile for a two-year subscription.

It means your navigation system receives real-time traffic updates and may navigate around them. The problem is that your smartphone already accomplishes this, and it’s simple to utilize its navigation on the car’s massive screen since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Ford also includes a three-month Vodafone subscription for onboard wifi, allowing you to connect with your vehicle remotely through your phone’s FordPass app. You may use it to set the sat-nav and check your remaining fuel and range from the comfort of your couch. It’s ingenious but also a gimmick you don’t need.

Your money would be better spent on the optional Convenience Pack, which includes auto parking, front and rear door edge guards, and a high-definition reverse camera with a crystal-clear image that few vehicles on this budget can match.

Ford Focus Active luggage space and functionality

The wide variety of upfront adjustments makes getting comfy behind the wheel a breeze, and lumbar support is standard on Ford Focus Active versions.

ActiveX versions provide an additional level of comfort. Their front seats are heated, and your front passenger’s seat now has height, lumbar adjustment, and luxury leather upholstery. Meanwhile, your driver’s seat includes a six-way electronic adjustment, eliminating the need to crank levers and twist knobs to find a comfortable position.

The rear seat lacks frills—it doesn’t even have its air vent—but it’s nonetheless fundamentally comfortable. If you’re six feet tall, another six-footer can sit comfortably behind you, but they’d have much more space in a Skoda Octavia. Despite the hump on the floor, three people may fit in the rear of the Ford, and there’s plenty of room for everyone’s feet.

Fitting a child seat is straightforward since the ISOFIX points are visible when the easy-to-lose plastic covers are removed, and there is plenty of space to maneuver the baby chair behind the front seats. Storage areas are also thoughtfully designed. The glove box is spacious, as are the four-door pockets; there’s a spot to stash small items under the front center armrest, and a pair of cupholders are concealed behind a sliding-covered recess.

The USB connection on the Ford is visible rather than concealed under the dashboard, as it is on the Honda Civic, and there’s a nice rubber-lined tray resting underneath it, so you can leave your phone charging without it going under a seat the moment you hit the brakes.

Ford has also given the boot many considerations. When you open the door, you’ll see a tremendous square aperture, a level floor, and recessed rear-wheel arches, all of which make loading a breeze. The increased suspension means you won’t have to bend your back as much while loading.

The 375-liter trunk of the Ford Focus Active is just slightly smaller than that of the Volkswagen Golf, and two big suitcases should fit easily. However, the massive boot on a Skoda Octavia would allow for at least one extra case.

Do you need extra space? Then, by tugging on a pair of levers at the front of the boot, you can free up a total capacity of 1,354 liters to fit an adult’s bike with its wheels on. You will, however, need to hoist it over the step on the floor where the seats fold away.

Any additional observations? It’s a pity the rear seats only split 60/40, rather than 40/20/40, as in a Volkswagen Golf, but it’s nice to see Ford’s concealed space-saving spare wheel beneath the floor, so you won’t be stuck if you get a flat. Active vehicles have roof rails, so roof racks and the like may be installed.

The Ford Focus Active has more significant proportions than the conventional Focus model due to the robust body cladding, measuring 4397mm long, 1844mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1483mm high.

What’s the ride and handling like in the Ford Focus Active?

“Don’t be fooled by the Ford Focus Active’s chunky styling, raised ride height, and off-road driving settings; this Ford likes off-roading about as much as a cat likes swimming.”

However, that 30mm increase in ride height is still valid. In town, you’ll be able to drive over large speed humps without fear of damaging your front bumper, and the long-travel suspension reduces the sting of potholes.

Anything more daring than that is dangerous without four-wheel drive. However, the car’s intelligent Slippery and Trail driving modes gently distribute power to the front wheels, allowing you to find traction even on snow- or mud-covered roads and trails. It’s pretty effective and might be helpful if you live in an area prone to severe storms.

The Ford Focus Active’s ace is that it can accomplish this without affecting how it handles conventional driving. Sure, the suspension is a touch finicky over bumps at lower speeds—especially in Active X cars with 18-inch wheels rather than 17-inch—and it rolls somewhat more in curves, but this is still a fun vehicle to drive.

The steering on the Ford is fast, precise, and direct, and there’s enough grip that you can correctly set up for bends without having to change your inputs halfway through.

The same factors that make driving enjoyable and swift also make it simple. The excellent steering eliminates the need to modify your lane position continually, and the progressive weight of the clutch pedal and the accurate gearbox make driving pleasantly simple. In Focus, everything seems perfect.

What engines and transmissions are available for the Ford Focus Active?

The Ford Focus Active takes engines from the standard lineup, so you may select between 125 PS 1.0-liter or 150 PS 1.5-litre petrol engines, or two diesel engines, 120 PS 1.5-liter or 150 PS 2.0-liter.

The most common model is the 125PS petrol, which has a three-cylinder engine like the 1.5-liter petrol. It’s easy to understand why people appreciate it since it’s highly economical on gasoline. According to recent testing, the Focus can return a little less than 50 mpg on various roads, and you can expect to get close to 40 mpg in everyday driving.

So it’s inexpensive to operate but also quick, reaching 62mph in 10 seconds with a snappy thrum that complements Ford’s engaging driving style. If you plan on making lengthy trips in your Ford Focus Active, we suggest the outstanding 120 PS diesel.

It’s smoother than the three-cylinder petrol vehicles and has a surprising amount of power for highway overtakes—more than its 10-second 0-62mph time would suggest. The finest part is the fuel efficiency; this automobile will return 50 mpg daily.

Surprisingly, adding Ford’s optional smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission (available throughout the range) reduces fuel efficiency and performance.

Noise levels and refinement

Another benefit of selecting a jacked-up family vehicle like the Ford Focus Active over a typical SUV is that it will be significantly quieter on the highway.

Why? Because the Active has the same slippery form as any other Focus, it won’t receive the wind noise around the windshield as boxier SUVs do, and its tiny wing mirrors allow air to flow past them without creating wind noise.

Especially the 18-inch wheels on the Active X model (the Active cars have 17s) aren’t huge in the context of an SUV. Thus neither Active model suffers from excessive road noise, especially on poorly paved highways.

The engine you pick will make a difference. The three-cylinder engines in the 125 and 150 PS petrol variants create more excellent vibrations via the pedals and steering wheel than the four-cylinder engines in the Volkswagen Golf. However, it is never irritating.

The four-cylinder diesel doesn’t sound as sporty as the patrols. The 120PS diesel can be a touch harsh if you stomp on the throttle—but both are quiet when you settle into a cruise.

Safety features:  How secure is the Ford Focus Active?

Although Euro NCAP has not inspected the Ford Focus Active, the conventional vehicle was granted five stars when crash-tested, and the jacked-up variant should do just as well.

Beyond the test findings, it’s evident that Ford has gone to great lengths to make the Active as safe as possible. Okay, so you don’t get big, flashing LED headlights, but you do get LED fog lights that light up the sides of the road as you travel around turns and LED taillights that make the vehicle more visible at night.

Automatic emergency brakes are also standard, and they are a sophisticated system that can detect not just automobiles but also bikes and pedestrians.

If you do not respond, the system will warn you of the imminent crash before applying the brakes aggressively. If you collide with another vehicle, the Ford will lock its brakes to prevent you from colliding with another car.

Intelligent Speed Assist is also included. It detects speed limit signs and will halt the vehicle if it exceeds the limit. If you don’t like the sound, don’t worry; it can be turned off.

Of course, you may increase safety by selecting from Active’s (reasonably priced) solutions. The Driver Assistance Pack is a fantastic place to start since it includes modules like auto-dipping headlamps and adaptive cruise control, which can accelerate, stop, and steer the vehicle on the highway.

Do you often drive at night on pitch-black rural roads? The optional Adaptive Front Lighting system is also worth considering; however, it is only available on ActiveX versions. It has dynamic LED headlights that provide a bright white full beam that may be utilized even in approaching traffic.

How much does it cost to operate a Ford Focus Active?

“All Ford Focus Active models have low operating costs, with even the thirstiest 150PS 1.5-litre petrol achieving nearly 50 mpg in official fuel economy tests.” The 125PS 1.0-liter improves on that by a few MPG, but both should reach close to 40mpg.

Ford equips its gasoline engines with sophisticated cylinder deactivation technology, which allows the engine to turn off one cylinder to conserve fuel when more power isn’t required.

Diesel cars lack this technology yet are still the most cost-effective to operate. The 120PS 1.5-liter model can get up to 60 mpg, but it won’t go below 50 mpg even on congested city streets, while the 150PS 2.0-liter vehicle is scarcely much thirstier.

Diesel engines have a comparatively tiny 47-liter fuel tank, giving them a range of more than 500 miles. The giant 52-liter petrol vehicle tank distorts the estimates somewhat; anticipate them to go just around 500 miles per fill-up.

How trustworthy is the Ford Focus Active?

In the most recent HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, Ford was ranked fifth out of five automobile brands. However, contemporary automobiles are typically quite dependable, and the fact that Ford sells so many cars means that faults are more likely to be reported.

Costs and insurance groups

Fitting safety features like automatic emergency braking, which should protect against low-speed shunts, has helped keep Ford Focus Active insurance premiums low.

The base Active with the 125 PS petrol engine is the most affordable, qualifying for Group 13E insurance. The 120PS diesel (14E) comes next, followed by the 150PS petrol (16E) and the 150PS diesel (18E). In contrast, the 130 PS petrol in Insurance Group 17E is the cheapest Volkswagen Golf to cover, while the 150 PS diesel in Insurance Group 23E is the most costly.

Trim levels and standard features

It’s simple to understand why you’d choose a Ford Focus Active X over a regular Ford Focus Active. They include a more upscale interior with half-leather seats, heated front seats, six-way electronic adjustment for the driver’s seat, a glass roof that opens, temperature control, and bigger 18-inch wheels.

The X variant also has keyless entry and functional puddle lights illuminating the vehicle’s surrounding area so you don’t step in anything wet (or worse).

That is in addition to what is included in the standard Active. It has a rugged appearance thanks to its 30mm higher ride height, chunkier bumpers, black-plastic wheel arch guards, and black-painted roof. Inside, you’ll find Ford’s top-tier navigation system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two distinct driving modes—Slippery and Trail—intended to keep you moving in low-grip conditions.