• Home
• Car Reviews
  • Ford Focus TDCI Review
  • Honda Civic CTDI Review
• Contact Us
• Sitemap

You are here: home  Ford Focus tdci reviews

Ford Focus Review - 1.6 TDCI Diesel Hatchback

In this car review, we road test a new Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Zetec Climate diesel assessing handling, mpg, practicality, reliability and running costs - qualities that have made the new shape Ford Focus TDCI the UK's most popular small diesel car. Big enough for a small family, it's refined, cheap to buy, has excellent fuel economy and is rewarding to drive.

Our reviews relate to the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Zetec diesel car. If you're looking to buy a new or used Ford Focus TDCI, you'll find the buyer's guide below offers useful 'before you buy' advice provided by UK Ford dealers and details of where to find a cheap used Ford Focus car.

Ford Focus Car Review Conclusion	Overall Rating : Ford Focus Car Reviews < Worse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Better >
Fuel economy, handling, road holding, driver appeal, comfort, cheap to run and insure.
Road noise intrusive, some interior trim rattles, diesel Focus expensive to buy.

Ford Focus Buyer's Guide

The new Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI diesel was UK launched in January 2005, so used car prices to buy diesel cars can be high and Ford Direct offer few (if any) very cheap deals for prospective buyers. That said, you do get an unlimited mileage 2 year warranty and Ford main dealer service.

However, some of the used Ford Focus cars sold by Ford Direct are actually ex hire cars or lease vehicles, so check the previous keeper on the vehicle documentation before you buy!

Our tip is to shop around for the cheapest deals on a used Ford Focus TDCI and buy a car which is between 6 months old and 1 year old. We bought our car from Peter Stirland in Hungerford and got excellent service as they are one or the UK's smaller main Ford dealers with exceptionally helpful staff.

Trade Sales car supermarket in Slough also offer cheap deals on new and used diesel Ford Focus cars with large discounts available, but always check the car's previous owner. They can offer poor part exchange deals, so before you buy compare Ford Direct dealer prices and their best part exchange trade in price.

Before you buy a new or used Ford Focus, here are two useful tips from a UK Ford dealer:

1. Some new Ford Focus cars are supplied with a space saving spare tyre and some have a full size spare. It's worth noting that a Ford Focus with a full size spare has a significantly smaller boot than the equivalent car with a space saving spare tyre. Always check this as it makes an important difference to the amount of luggage you'll be able to accommodate in the boot.
2. If you intend to buy a used Ford Focus, try to pick a car with the dark interior as this doesn't show the dirt. Some models come with light carpet colours and these are prone to looking tatty very quickly, especially if you have a family.

Ford Focus Road Test

A road test of the 1.6 TDCI Ford Focus reveals the car's refined gear change and its precise, nicely weighted steering. The handling and road holding of the new Focus are exceptional with little body roll around corners. According to the motoring press, the Ford Focus sets new standards for small car handling, being 'best in its class'. We agree wholeheartedly!

Driving position is good too, and the seats are verycomfortable with excellent side and lumbar support. The only thing that takes some getting used to is the position of the handbrake, which is the other side of the centre console, closer to the passenger seat!

The ride quality of the Ford Focus Zetec is very firm as it is fitted with the improved Sports suspension, although the effects of road bumps and potholes are always well suppressed and the car remains very comfortable on all road surfaces.

During the Ford Focus road test we found that road noise at motorway speeds was quite intrusive, resulting in the need to turn up the radio. This could be better controlled by Ford improving sound insulation inside the cabin.

Ford have equipped the new Focus diesel with decent engine soundproofing. So much so, that you'd never guess that a diesel engine was under the bonnet unless you get the engine revs up for overtaking or rev the engine hard in the lower gears. Then, and only then will you hear the diesel engine noise.

Ford Focus Zetec Equipment Review

The Ford Focus Zetec Climate model comes as standard with remote central locking, anti-lock brakes, perimeter alarm, air conditioning, 5 spoke alloy wheels with 205/55Rx16 low profile tyres, electric front windows, electric mirrors (heated), electric quickclear windscreen (helps to clear frost) and heater washer jets, front fog lamps and a drivers information computer.

Driver's Information Computer

The Ford Focus Driver's Information Trip Computer provides outside air temperature, range until fuel tank empty, average fuel economy (see picture left) and average speed. It's a shame that the driver's information computer has such a small display on the dashboard (between the speedometer and the rev counter) and that only a single piece of driver's information can be displayed at any one time. For example, if you display average fuel economy, then you can't see the outside air temperature or the odometer. We also miss the instant mpg display offered by our Vauxhall's driver computer and the better display system. We are baffled why instant mpg wasn't added to the Focus Zetec trip computer, when the owner's manual shows it listed!

In addition, any driver information warning displayed removes the ability to display any other data on the driver's computer screen. For example a warning about low washer fluid would stay on the screen until the problem was solved.

Stereo Radio / CD Player

I must admit to have been disappointed that the Ford Focus Zetec came with just a standard stereo radio / CD Player and 6 speakers (not a CD changer) and that the CD player fitted would not play MP3 CD's.

The Ford 6000CD radio reception is poor. Whilst my Vauxhall radio would happily pick up London's Heart 106.2 on my drive here in Newbury Berkshire, the Ford 6000CD radio failed miserably with its poor sensitivity or bad aerial. Incidentally, the Ford 6000CD CD player does play CD-R and CD-RW media without problems.

Sony MP3 CD Player

If you need an MP3 compatible CD player, then consider a Ford Focus Titanium which has a Sony CD sound system capable of playing MP3 CD's and 8 speakers. An extra cost option of a Sony 6 CD changer is also available on all Focus models.

Build Quality Review

Our Ford Focus diesel hatchback (55 registration) already has a few internal trim rattles, indicating some build quality problems. In addition, the car's interior has far from a 'quality car' feel about it.

Although there has been an attempt to smarten the car's interior with decent satin finish metal trim, some of the plastic materials used on the door handles, illuminated driver's mirror cover and glove box, look and feel cheap. Some flimsy plastic mouldings and trim panels look like they will break with time. An example is the flimsy Ford badge on the bonnet release which is lifted to expose the bonnet release lock.

1.6 TDCI Performance Review

The refined Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 16V diesel DPF engine accelerates the new shape hatchback car to 62mph in around 10.9 seconds, with 31 - 62mph taking an identical time. The new all alloy diesel powered 1.6TDCI engine is of French origin and has DOHC (twin overhead camshafts) and 16 valves which represents an improvement on the 8 valve 1.8 TDCI diesel engine. Common Rail Fuel Injection is used for improved fuel economy and power output and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is fitted to meet stringent Euro stage 4 emissions standards.

Tied in with a variable geometry turbocharger, the 1.6 DPF engine delivers a high power output of 109PS at 4000rpm and an equally healthy 240 - 260NM of torque at 1750rpm.

The 1.6 TDCI Ford Focus has reasonable performance and class leading diesel engine refinement, pulling strongly from low revs probably helped by the torque curve peaking at just 1750rpm. This translates to good mid range acceleration with enough power to pull up quite steep hills without the need to continually change down the gears. This is even more creditable when you realise that 5th gear is set at around 31mph / 1000rpm allowing a top speed of around 117mph (where legal). This means that the car's engine is turning over at a mere 2000rpm at 62mph.

Whilst the diesel Focus 1.6 TDCI is hardly a boy racers car and can feel slow off the mark, it still performs better than our other diesel car a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2DTI particularly up hills, when the ridiculously high gearing of the Vauxhall becomes all too apparent, needing to change down the gears due to lack of engine torque.

The all-new French designed Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI engine is incredibly quiet too, even when starting it from cold. Gone is the familiar diesel rattle of my old Direct Injection 2.2DTI Vauxhall Vectra, as the clever Common Rail Fuel Injection System delivers small charges of vaporised fuel over a longer period to increase combustion efficiency and to significantly reduce engine noise, which was one of the problems of older, less refined TDI direct injection diesel engines.

To achieve greater engine efficiency the Diesel Common Rail Injection system runs at very high pressures of up to 1000 bar, using solenoids that release just the right amount of fuel to each cylinder at precise computer controlled timings. For more technical information on Common Rail Injection click here.

Ford Focus MPG Review

The fuel economy (mpg) of the new 1.6 TDCI Ford Focus Diesel is amongst the best in its class. The book figures claim 45.6 mpg Urban, 70.6mpg Extra Urban with a combined figure of 58.9 mpg and these bear out quite well with the actual figures attained during everyday use. We manage between 55 and 58 mpg on a mixture of 50 mile motorway journeys and the school runs, often through traffic congestion in Newbury.

With steady speed UK A-road or motorway driving at 60mph the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI hatchback delivers over 70mpg (our best fuel economy is 75.6mpg on a journey to Nottingham and back from Newbury).

This gives the Focus TDCI a usable range of around 600 - 650 miles on a tank of diesel (52.7 litres). As with all diesel cars, the engine takes around 10,000 miles to loosen up and run in. Since our Focus hatchback has only done 5,000 miles, these excellent fuel economy figures are already improving with mileage.

The Ford Focus is one of the most economical diesel cars to run and amongst the cheapest small cars to own, helped by the fact that it is a low emissions 'green car', with low annual road tax duty of just £110 at the time of writing this article.

Emissions & Green Rating

The Ford Focus's refined 1.6 TDCI diesel engine meets the strict new Stage 4 (IV) emissions standard for diesel engines. Fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the engine powers one of the cleanest Diesel cars on the UK market. Gone is the cloud of smoke when starting the car from cold and under hard acceleration! The Focus is one of the best small 'green cars' available.

Most models offer CO2 emissions of 127g/km, which means that you save money on your car UK tax. Currently annual car tax on the Ford Focus TDCI 1.6 is £110 per year.

Practicality & Space

The Mark 2 new shape Ford Focus hatchback is larger than the car it replaces. It offers excellent practicality and interior space is pretty much best in its class. The car is wider and longer than the old Focus and there's enough room inside to accommodate 5 adults in total comfort.

The Ford Focus boot is a good size too. At 385 litres (volume) it's amongst the biggest boot in its class, with good depth and enough room for several large suitcases for weekends away. There's the added convenience of having a 60/40 split back seat too for extra luggage capacity in the hatchback.

The only practicality flaw lies with the glove box, which is ridiculously small and the front door pockets which are too small to take more than a few maps. However, alternative storage areas are provided in the centre console and either side of the 60/40 rear seat, as well as in the cloth seat backs.

Ford Focus Safety

All reviews of the new Ford Focus show it to be one of the safest cars in its class with a 5 star EURO NCAP rating. There are 6 airbags in most Focus models with a driver and a passenger airbag, side airbags in the seats and curtain airbags in the headlining for side impact. Remember that a child car seat should never be placed in a front seat of the Ford Focus as an airbag is fitted.

In addition, the Focus body uses advanced techniques to increase rigidity, which not only pays off in refined handling and road holding, but also under crash situations.

Running Costs & Depreciation

The main running costs of the Ford Focus TDCI diesel (in terms of cost of ownership) are likely to be due to the car's depreciation. It therefore makes sense to buy a used Ford Focus TDCI that has been pre-owned and is between 6 months and 2 years old. Servicing intervals are 12,000 miles on most models and the tyres are around £70 each to buy.

The Ford Focus diesel is a classic fleet vehicle and therefore depreciation is likely to be average at best. Estimates show that the car will be worth around 40% - 43% of its new price after 3 years at trade in. However, with the rising costs of fuel and car tax duty in the UK, the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI residuals are likely to improve with time as the car becomes an increasingly attractive used car buy considering its good mpg and low running costs of around 40p per mile.

The Insurance Group of the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI is 6E or 7E for the top of the range models. This means cheap car insurance is available for all Focus models.

Reliability & Problems

It's too early to accurately review the reliability of the new Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI, but Internet owner reviews of the car suggest good reliability with few problems. Our reliability rating is thus based on the views of around 50 owners. The local Ford garage did tell me that the 2.0 TDCI diesel engine had proved less reliable than the 1.6 and 1.8 TDCI. For more Ford Focus reliability reviews detailing mechanical problems click here.

Ford Focus Review Conclusion

The Ford Focus TDCI is one of the best small diesel cars with few reliability problems to report. It's fun to drive, has excellent handling / road holding and is cheap to run with good mpg. It is spacious too, offering the practicality and space of much bigger family cars, with a good size boot capable of accommodating several large suitcases. The new 1.6 TDCI diesel engine is refined and quiet, offering good performance and lots of mid range torque and acceleration. The fuel economy (mpg) of the Ford Focus diesel is amongst the best in its class, particularly on models fitted with the 1.6 TDCI (109PS DPF engine).

However, one area for improvement lies with the Ford Focus interior, where cheap plastic fittings ruin what would otherwise be a quality car. The Focus also has a problem with road noise at motorway speeds and the standard fit Ford 6000 CD radio is rather poor. It struggles to pick up all but local FM stations and won't play MP3 CD's. Ford should consider fitting a DAB compatible radio or the MP3 compatible Sony CD player in all Focus models.

Link to Us

If you found our road test and car reviews of the Ford Focus TDCI useful, please link to us from your web site or blog!

Back to top

© Copyright 2007 KSL Consulting Ltd, All Rights Reserved.