The Best Focus?

[The Dark Knight]

Feeling a bit nostalgic today and recalling fond memories of Focus Mk1 ownership. In 2004 my 2nd car was a W Reg 1.6 LX. Great car and fantastic engine the 1.6

I later owned an 03 reg 1.8 TDCi Ghia 115ps. Great spec, smooth, quiet diesel and more powerful and faster in the real world than the 1.6 petrol. That being said, I preferred the 1.6 petrol.

I also owned an 05 reg 1.6 Zetec Climate Mk2 for a while. More grown up feel with soft touch dashboard etc. for a quality feel.

Despite this and having driven the latest Focus, my personal favourite would be a 1.6 Mk1.5 probably in Ghia spec. So, forgetting spec and engine choices, what is the best Focus?

Consider looks, driving experience, general economy on offer across the range, performance, value for money and any other factors you consider relevant. Vote away and share your thoughts.

[L666JER]

I had to go for a mk1.5 :p

I've always thought the mk2 looks a bit dull in comparison

[TomsFocus]

I've only owned one Focus. :P

I much prefer the 2.5 to the 2 though! Not overly keen on the 1/1.5 either. Would prefer the equivalent age Fiesta or Mondeo to a Mk3 as well.

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

I had an 03 reg ST 170 which i thought was a good car, although the performance was not so good for some reason & it drank fuel.

We are very happy with our latest 15 reg Focus ST petrol version, which we cannot fault.

[RAIDER32]

I think the best mid-range (Zetec) model is the Mk2.5.

Mk1 looks pointy nosed at the front with a fat bum at the back, I know it drove well but it does look like a melted Escort inside.

MK2 does look dull, but better proportioned I think, the interior/radio looked dull too. I was close to buying one though.

Mk2.5 looked so much better with the new front, climate control as standard and better looking radio made it feel more complete.

Mk3 looks dull to me, boring headlights with a horrible grill & bumper, hate the rear-lights I prefer the Mk2 rear end.

Don't like the cluttered interior with so many buttons, and that handbrake looks like it came from my bosses Toyota.

Mk3.5 improved the looks of the front like the Mk2.5 did to the Mk2, the inside was nicely re-done to reduce button count,

But unless it's an ST/RS though, I'm not rushing to upgrade from Mk2.5 to Mk3.5 anytime soon.

[dfoord]

I have gone for the 2.5

its the one i currently own and its the best I've had

i did read somewhere that FORDs themselves thought they had got it spot on with the 2.5 and i do think its the best looking car

it feels like I'm driving something quite special not just a Focus

but thats just me i guess

[williamweb]

I have a MK1,made some suspension upgrades and absolutely love driving it.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

[james_60]

I Voted Mk2.5 It felt more solid than the mk3/3.5

Plus it had a bigger boot and the back seats were more comfortable.

I had a Focus 1.6 tdci 110ps Titanium

Jamie

[chrisroberson99]

MK1, best looks, reliable and great value nowadays. For me it would have to be a red one!

MK3 comes second, just a slightly more modern version of the MK1.

[artscot79]

I'll have to be the one who says none of them the mk1 was radical in its day however ford never learned from their mistakes so the mk1.5 mk2 and 2.5 had the same quality and design issues as the original mk1 the mk3 with its millions of miles test didn't live up to the hype and sadly quality issues started all over again the 3.5 seems to be going the same way which is rather sad however if ford upped their game focused on build quality and fixing issues they would be the best cars on the road

The most reliable has been the mk2 the best handling was the mk1 the best comfort and spec would be the mk3

[RobTdci]

MK2.5 for me, this is my second MK2.5 with the first being a 2008 MK2.5 Style and now a 2011 Sport which is a much better spec than the Style.

[carl325]

I've personally had 3 mk1's two of which were 2.0 Ghia's, great cars but not without their faults 

Have also owned a mk3 1.0 titanium ecoboost which was ok but the seats were uncomfortable

Now currently own a mk2.5 titanium with the 2.0 tdci lump with PowerShift gearbox and it's a great car, even better as it's only done 21,000 Miles from New!

[James]

Its between the mk2.5 and mk3.5 for me.  Both were improvements look wise over their pre face lifts.  The mk2 looked dull and the mk3 is just ugly.  The mk2.5 has a bigger boot and just as much rear leg room as the mk3.5 but the mk3.5 is supposed to be more comfortable.  I slightly prefer the looks of the mk3.5 and it has the better engines so the mk3.5 is the best Focus for me.  The mk1 would come 3rd.  

[ajzetecs]

On 1/2/2016 at 2:33 PM, RAIDER32 said:

I think the best mid-range (Zetec) model is the Mk2.5.

Mk1 looks pointy nosed at the front with a fat bum at the back, I know it drove well but it does look like a melted Escort inside.

MK2 does look dull, but better proportioned I think, the interior/radio looked dull too. I was close to buying one though.

Mk2.5 looked so much better with the new front, climate control as standard and better looking radio made it feel more complete.

Mk3 looks dull to me, boring headlights with a horrible grill & bumper, hate the rear-lights I prefer the Mk2 rear end.

Don't like the cluttered interior with so many buttons, and that handbrake looks like it came from my bosses Toyota.

Mk3.5 improved the looks of the front like the Mk2.5 did to the Mk2, the inside was nicely re-done to reduce button count,

But unless it's an ST/RS though, I'm not rushing to upgrade from Mk2.5 to Mk3.5 anytime soon.

Took the words out of my mouth saved me the text cheers

[DJ_Andy_M]

I've only owned face lifted Focuseseseseses and I think so far my favourites are the 2.5 and 3.5. I'm loving my 3.5 at present, but I think the interior needs more blackness to it. I don't particularly like the off grey colour, and the white headlining should be black like a lot of cars thesee days, but I must admit for quality, I actually preferred the cockpit of my pre-facelift MK3 Mondeo Ghia X in all honesty.