Ford Focus Edge

Until the arrival of the Studio model, the Ford Focus Edge was the cheapest model in the range. Not that you would ever have called it cheap with a starting price of around £16,000. The Studio version is £2,000 cheaper, so Edge spec looks even more expensive, and you don’t get a great deal more for your money. The biggest difference is found under the bonnet. Studio offers just one petrol engine, while Edge gives you the choice of a 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol or 94bhp and 114bhp 1.6-litre diesels. There’s a £1,000 gap between the petrol version and the least powerful diesel, and another £500 to the other diesel. The key equipment differences are that Edge has a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connection with voice control, a socket to plug in a digital music player and a trip computer. There’s also more choice in terms of paint. And you can have the Edge as an estate, which isn’t possible with the Studio.

Good points

We’ve always loved the way the Ford Focus drives, but the latest model is more grown up than before. It’s quiet and smooths out the bumps, but it hasn’t lost any of the steering and handling sharpness that’s always been a Focus trademark. It’s roomier than the previous model, and the interior is comfortable for four people. Everything in the cabin is just where you want it (although the sheer number of buttons on the dash can be confusing), and there’s plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. There’s a good level of equipment, especially when it comes to safety.

Bad points

The Focus Edge is fairly priced against most European hatchbacks, but the introduction of the Studio model has made it look expensive, especially against some rivals from Japan and Korea. We can’t help thinking it looks a bit unexciting, too. The increase in cabin space comes partially at the expense of boot space, which is less than in the last Focus. At least there’s the estate if you need to carry big loads. Because the Focus is frequently the UK’s best-selling family hatch, secondhand values will inevitably suffer due to the fact it’s so common.

What you get

• Alloy wheels
• Folding rear seats
• Alarm
• Passenger & Driver airbag
• Front side airbags
• Curtain airbags
• Manual air conditioning
• Height adjustable driver's seat
• Single CD player
• AUX stereo input
• Stop/Start

Recommended optional extras

• Family Pack - rear seat belt minders, electric childproof rear locks and all-round electric windows

Our choice

The 103bhp 1.6 petrol engine is best for low-mileage private buyers, but business users might fare better with one of the diesels.