Focus Wins Australia Best Car Award Over $35k

[SpoolMan]

Best Small Car Over $35k

Ford Focus Titanium
2.0 litre; 4 cyl; 6 speed; DCT
5.4 L/100km; Diesel
$36,490

It might be a surprise to some that a small car from the Blue Oval would stand in triumph over models from prestige European makers including BMW and Audi, and even a Lexus. But remember that Ford rely on their European divisions for their small car, which means it’s both sophisticated and well suited to our local market tastes.

Revised pricing for the LW MkII Focus range just prior to Australia’s Best Cars test week in October saw substantial price cuts across the board (as much as $2410). Titanium models had $850 wiped from the list price making it one of the cheapest cars in this ABC category. Top marks for price and depreciation are the result, improving its value for money equation.

A healthy standard features list that offers good safety equipment, including eight airbags, plus advanced technologies not normally seen at this price point such as an auto park system and a voice command system, delivers top marks in this area of assessment. Ford’s move to capped price servicing helps contain regular maintenance costs. However the Titanium’s expensive-to-replace 40-series tyres blows out the running costs for a well below average score of 2.

The Duratorq 2.0-litre turbo-diesel offers good fuel economy, though not quite as miserly as its rival for class title, the smaller engine capacity diesel A3. However Focus counters with superior performance. Off the line some turbo lag was evident in the Ford but only the Volvo C30 T5 with its bigger 2.5-litre engine musters a better performance score. The Ford’s mid-range punch was praised. The prompt shifting six-speed Powershift dual-clutch style gearbox does an admirable job of channelling power to the front wheels.

The small Ford proved itself a car whose road manners are focused on pleasing more demanding drivers. Good brakes, composed ride and a well set up chassis are on offer, though ultimately the 116i felt more resolved handling-wise. Some judges noted the Ford’s steering felt almost too sharp on initial application of lock from the centre position.

Inside, well shaped seats front and rear with padding that felt ‘just right’’ and offering sufficient bolstering for front occupants, plus two-way lumbar adjustment for the driver, resulted in a class-best comfort score.

The Titanium’s ergonomic credentials came in for considerable debate with features that impressed judges, and others that earned their scorn. Nicely placed and angled switch stalks on the column pleased. There’s a plethora of switch gear for various functions on and around the steering wheel too, but it’s overly busy and some are awkwardly placed. The central switch cluster on the dash incorporating the audio system is also too fussy, feeling distracting and fiddly to use. Keyless entry and start is a nice touch, but the engine start button is poorly located on the dash, hidden from view behind switch stalks. Manual gear shifts can be comfortably accessed via a well proportioned rocker style switch on the side of the gear-shifter knob.

Ford’s SYNC hands-free voice-activated connectivity system incorporating Bluetooth is a plus. And the clever self-park system that can ‘measure up’ a suitable parking space and steer the car to perform a reverse park into it, is a real enhancement to the driver’s interaction with the car. Audi offers similar technology on the A3 as an expensive option.

Other optional technology included in the Sports Executive Pack for the Focus that makes life easier and safer includes adaptive cruise control and Active City Stop. The latter is an auto-brake rear end collision mitigation system.

Finalists
Ford Focus Titanium
BMW 116i
Audi A3 1.6 TDI Attraction