Used Ford Focus review: 2011 to 2018 (Mk3) - Practicality and boot space
The Ford Focus is roomy enough for families but some rivals are much more spacious inside
There’s enough space inside the Ford Focus for a typical family, but its boot is a little on the small side compared with certain rivals’. There’s also not quite as much legroom in the back as we’d like, but it’s fine for kids.
Responsive controls mean the Focus is easy to park, but visibility could be better. Look out for a model with the optional front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera. There was even a self-parking system that takes control of the steering to guide the Focus into a space, leaving you to just work the pedals. This system was upgraded as part of the late 2014 facelift, and can park in parking bays as well as parallel spaces. It will warn you of crossing traffic as you reverse out, too.
How big is the Ford Focus?
The Ford Focus is 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and 1.5m tall, so it’s average for the type of car. It’s hardly any different from a SEAT Leon or Volkswagen Golf when it comes to dimensions, although there are differences depending on trim level – certain models are lower thanks to sportier suspension, for example. It’s not by much, though, and all versions should be able to fit into a single garage.
How much space is there for passengers?
Front-seat occupants have plenty of space in which to stretch out and the driver is in no danger of feeling cramped behind the wheel – it’s adjustable for height and reach and finding a decent driving position is easy. Those in the back don’t have quite such a good deal – particularly in terms of legroom, which is lacking compared to that of a SEAT Leon or a Skoda Octavia.
At least there’s no shortage of places to stow odds and ends on a journey, with decent door bins, a deep armrest cubby and a big glove box, as well as two cup-holders and a 12v power socket. There are pockets on the back of the front seats and a reasonable amount of space for rear-seat passengers, but small windows mean it feels a little claustrophobic back there, while the middle rear seat is a squeeze for adults.
How big is the boot?
A seats-up capacity of 316 litres is only 17 litres more than you’ll find in the smaller Ford Fiesta, and the Focus trails its main rivals, the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, by 54 and 64 litres respectively. Folding the seats increases this to 1,215 litres.
There are some plus points, though. The boot floor is flat, the wheelarches don’t intrude on the space, the 60:40 split-folding back seats lower easily and the tailgate has a wide opening. But the reality is that if you want a practical Ford, the Focus Estate or the Ford C-MAX MPV are better.
