Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec

Public perception is a curious thing. It is the foundation upon which big decisions are often made. Holiday resorts, houses, schools and even cars are ranked on popularity alone. It stands to reason that if something is popular then it must be good. Since it was launched in 1998 the Ford Focus has regularly topped the UK sales charts with buyers appreciating a sensible and practical car at affordable prices.

Focus has continually grown since inception in 1998

The car in question today is from the third generation of the Focus family, equipped with a 1.6 petrol engine producing 105bhp and retails at just under £17,000. For that you get striking white paint and snazzy multi-spoke alloy wheels. Unfortunately these only go so far in disguising what is a pretty ugly car. Where the previous two Focus model were smart and eye-pleasing this latest model is a real monstrosity. Too keen to portray the car as some sort of mini-SUV, Ford has allowed the Focus to grow in length, width and height with some seriously deep flanks. By all accounts, another failed Ford Kinetic design.

Huge flanks lead rise to an unusually shaped fuel cap

The interior is familiar Ford layout and switchgear with the biggest misdemeanour being the stereo. Eventually I concluded that this model was equipped with DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and voice activation. By all accounts that is an impressive array of equipment but trying to navigate through the entertainment system via the scattered array of buttons was a real challenge. Once mastered, the toys did work well and I particularly enjoyed using the voice activation to dial a phone number, connect my mobile phone and even skip a song that was playing via bluetooth. Over a longer time period I think it’d be possible to become quite accustomed to the ways of Ford’s Sync system, enhancing the ownership experience throughout. Only a lack of cruise control really let down the Focus’ equipment levels. I must also mention the dials which featured lovely baby blue needles. This small feature actually left the biggest impression with me; it is all in the detail as they say!

Blue dials are perhaps one of the smaller components of the car but left a lasting impression

Once on the move the Focus did little out of the ordinary. Acceleration was positively pedestrian at times, particularly out of town, requiring frequent gear changes to maintain progress. Fifth gear ought only to be used on the flat. Recently I came away from the Fiesta with an immense amount of respect for Ford and their chassis engineers as they clearly know how to make a car handle. It would seem the Focus Zetec slipped their mind. The steering was so light and vague that it bordered on dangerous and ruled any enchanting handling characteristics firmly out of the equation.

In fairness the seats were very comfortable, the air conditioning worked well and the wind noise was minimal. The boot was a good size too. Although I didn’t test them, the rear seats did seem very cramped, but that would be the only chink the otherwise faultless practicality armour the Focus holds so well.

The Focus offers everything your average buyer is after, putting practicality and usability ahead of driver pleasure and sex appeal. I would recommend choosing a different engine as the 1.6 petrol brought little to the party with no discernible economical benefit either.

Rotund rear end

Henry Ford is famous for offering his cars in any colour the customer wanted, as long as it was black. Over the years Ford have relented and today offer a wide palette of colours, but essentially, if you just want a car and nothing more, Ford is still a good place to look; an ethos that would sit comfortably on Mr Ford’s conscious.  

Seat Leon 1.6 TDI

I am a VAG fan. There is little point denying it. I like lots of things about VAG. Their talented and extensive engine portfolio, care for build quality and generally smart styling. The new Leon is a car I’ve had little to do with since its launch beyond remarking on the improved, if now a little restrained, styling.

Restrained design lacks DNA

The Leon is a model which has very weak styling DNA. Park a MK 1, 2 and 3 side by side and it’ll be hard to see any signs of evolution. Each one has been very much its own model. Thankfully this means that the questionable looks of the predecessor are gone but so are some of the neat design touches like hidden rear door handles. What you have now is a mild car; design with a risk factor of zero. Painted in grey, as this example was, and you have a contender for the most inoffensive car in the history of design. Only the boot release, which is built into the Seat badge, gave any indication that thought and care had gone in to the design; and to be frank it was awkward to use and soon lost its appeal. Similarly, for a car intended as a practical family man’s steed of choice, the boot opening was rather narrow and high lipped.

One of the few fancy bits of design on whole car - but actually quite tedious to operate

The functional design ethos continued inside with a purposeful dashboard, dominated by the large, easy to use touch screen. It isn’t pretty but nor is it ugly. Everything falls to hand with ease. The equipment level on this car was extensive with cruise control, Bluetooth and a touch screen radio. Further scrolling in the menus on the touch screen found a screen that tells you a whole host of vehicle stats and the screen between the dials revealed oil temperature, coolant temperature and in the face of the ridiculously over-ambitious speedo, the essential digital speed readout.

Very modern interior

Mechanically similar in most regards to the Audi A3 I drove, this is the 105bhp 1.6 TDi. Handling was competent, if un-engaging and devoid of feedback. Pace is acceptable with the gear ratios selected specifically to make the motorway cruising ability of the Leon one of its stronger points. On the motorway it is content to cruise at acceptable speeds and gather haste when required without struggle. The cruise control is easy to operate and the miles pass without drama.

VAG corner

This sums up the Leon perfectly. It is a car you’ll meet; spend some time with and come away struggling to remember anything specific about it. It is really that plain. My only advice to anyone who owns one would be to watch the speed. This is not a quick car, but the aforementioned gear ratios are such that on country lanes you can plant your foot on the straight and without noticing or being in the slightest bit aware of it, you’re soon travelling at very dangerous speeds. I’ve driven cars with twice the power that feel significantly faster at the same speeds. You might think this is a good attribute which bodes well for hours on the motorway network but I would disagree. Such is the insulated manners of the Leon you will soon find yourself either in the dock for excessive speed or wrapped around a tree because you were unknowingly going too quickly down a twisty lane.

Would you take a second look?

Seat have a reputation for producing cars for the younger generation within the VAG group but the Leon fails in almost every area to excite, delight or engage. Technically, it is most certainly an accomplished car, but as a machine with a soul to bond with and enjoy ownership, it fails miserably. 

Ford Fiesta 1.25

 I was faced with a journey reaching across the breadth of England and Wales. Naturally I was hoping for something with a big diesel engine, plenty of toys and a sanitised driving experience that would pass mile after mile without any signs of stress of strain. My heart sank when I set eyes upon a humble Ford Fiesta.

Humble Fiesta - but just how much does it have to offer?

Aesthetically the Fiesta is challenged. This was the prettier, not-trying-to-be-an-Aston pre-facelift, but even so, the styling is too busy and fiddly for my liking. Despite having 15” wheels it was woefully underwheeled. I did like the red dot on the ‘i’ though.

Unlikely to win any beauty contests

With no other option but to walk I set off, fearing what lay ahead. Getting comfortable inside isn’t too difficult and the controls are familiar from other Ford models. The dash layout tries to be  modern and cutting edge but has aged terribly since the launch of the MK6 Fiesta in 2008. Where the latest rivals are now clutter-free, touch-screen aided layouts, the Fiesta has buttons festooned all-over cheap looking shiny plastics. The dials are smart enough and I enjoyed the most ostentatious full-beam warning light I’ve ever seen. The steering wheel is well proportioned and comfortable to use. A lack of cruise control is a disappointment but footwell and ambient lighting suggested a higher end product.

Under the bonnet a 1.25 four-cyclinder petrol produces 82bhp that can propel the little Ford to a top speed of 104 mph. The engine is willing, and provided full use is made of the power band, progress can be swift. In the olden days, taking a small city car onto the motorway was close to suicidal. You’d spend your whole time dicing between lorries and “big” cars, whilst forever pre-empting crosswinds. Indeed this was true even with a 2002 Ford Ka I once had the use of. Of course, the Fiesta today is roughly the same size as a MK1 Ford Escort and has considerably more power; but nevertheless the Fiesta suffers none of these foibles. Without really noticing you are able to march down the outside lane should you so desire. Wind and engine noise are kept easily at bay. With the main bulk of my journey consisting of motorway work, I was catapulted along on a wave of surprise and amazement.

Busy interior

Off the motorway and onto the twisty A and B roads and it was time to explore the subtle hints the Fiesta had made throughout the motorway romp that it enjoyed a corner or two. By heck, it wasn’t lying. The feedback and communication through the steering is electrifying. The Fiesta cannot be considered a fast car in the conventional sense but the chassis’ competence is such that corners can safely be taken without too much loss of speed and as such, it becomes a very quick A-B car. It's fantastic with nothing jumping out as problematic. Along roads I regularly drive in my own cars, I can say with confidence that the Fiesta is one of the best ways to explore the backroads. I applaud Ford for their efforts with the Fiesta – it’s refreshing to drive a small car that really does put the fun back in to driving.

Flies give an indication as to how capable a mile muncher this hatchback is

What’s remarkable is that after 300 miles and 6 hours I stepped out of the Fiesta, not with an aching back and bleeding ear drums, but with adrenaline filled veins and senses buzzing. This is by far and away the best car I have driven in recent times – a properly sorted supermini. Ford have recently wadded in to the hotly contested GTi battle with their Fiesta ST. Despite being the least powerful, all reviews I’ve read so far suggest it’s a better buy than the 208 GTi and the reigning champion RenaultSport Clio. The only set back with this particular model was the fuel consumption. One and a half tanks of fuel over  350 miles makes this an expensive and yet enthralling companion.