2019 Ford Focus Active X Estate Review

In a global dominated by SUVs and crossovers, the once-well-known estate car ‘s almost forgotten. Many fresh car buyers decide on a crossover over an estate, citing reasons of practicality and safety. The reality of the matter is usually that estates are simply as safe as well as perhaps a lot more practical than most crossovers, why did we stop shopping for them?

Very well, looks and image may have something regarding it. One way plenty of manufacturers want to take the estate car back can be through these ‘active’ or ‘allroad’ models. They’re essentially estates with an increase of surface clearance and a robust exterior. Do they job though? We just lately had an opportunity to test out the brand new Ford Focus Active X, Ford’s individual option to the crossover. This is what we considered it.

What’s the 2019 Ford Focus Active X Estate about?

The Ford Focus Active X is actually a standard Focus with revised suspension rendering an increase in surface clearance by 30mm, a couple of roof rails, black plastic cladding around the wheel arches, plus some tough-looking bumpers. Though it comes in traditional hatchback type with the same adjustments as the estate edition, Ford predicts virtually all Active X models will certainly be estate-car variants. The question I needed to answer is just about the same point you’re thinking about right right now. Do we are in need of another crossbreed between hatchbacks and crossovers? Who’s the Active X targeted at, and could it be any better than a typical estate car?

Very well to begin with, it doesn’t appear all that not the same as a standard estate Ford Focus. From the exterior, people can barely show it’s a dynamic X unit unless they’re thinking about cars. The upsurge in trip height of 30mm isn’t enough to immediately provide it away, and really the only indicators will be the black plastic claddings covered around the wheel arches. I’d say it appears great, but I wouldn’t contact it better than the standard estate car. Will it look better quality? Yes, but what’s the idea of that within an estate car? It’s no actual SUV made to go off-road, and the ones plastic claddings aren’t fooling anyone.

The engine range remains mainly the same, this means a 1.0-litre EcoBoost as standard, however the one We drove had the amazing 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder. It’s best for 150 PS and 240 Nm of torque with the overboost function, which means a 0-62 mph period of 9.3 seconds and a 127 mph best speed. Power is delivered to the front tires through a six-speed manual, and it even includes stop-begin technology.

How will it drive?

I’d become lying easily said it feels especially fast, since it doesn’t. It feels on par with the majority of its rivals, but everybody knows the principal goal of an automobile like the Focus is certainly economy and practicality.

You will need to job the engine quite hard to acquire ever last little bit of performance from it, nonetheless it likes to rev consequently using it really is pleasant. That said, I wanted to learn how the Target Active X handles in comparison to a standard estate car.

The upsurge in drive height means you acquire somewhat more body roll, but it’s hardly noticeable if I’m honest. Everything you don’t get on the other hand, is an increased, more commanding driving posture like you do within an SUV. Due to that, I don’t believe people who wish an SUV or a crossover will get swayed over by the Target Active X, meaning really the only competition this car must face may be the estate car industry. Because it drives nearly similar to a standard Focus, to determine where its strengths lie, we must dig deeper.

What is it truly like inside?

Inside it’s virtually a normal Ford Target, which is certainly what I predicted. Good build quality, respectable materials, and a good infotainment bundle. You can’t require more given the cost of the automobile which we’ll reach in a tad. The standout characteristic for me may be the quantity of space obtainable both in the cabin and in the boot. Yes, it’s no bigger than the estate version, but that’s barely something to criticise.

Ford knows how exactly to style gear levers and I especially just like the one in the Concentrate. Shifting is clean and crisp, with a pleasant short toss to the lever itself. Manuals have become increasingly rare nowadays, so the truth that Ford can nonetheless offer this amazing gearbox is definitely something I must provide them with credit for.

The knowledge

The Ford Focus Active X isn’t a crossover alternate. It doesn’t include an all-wheel-drive system, therefore taking it off-street is no easier compared to the standard Focus. That said, the increased trip height means you can review curbs and crests with an increase of confidence should you have to. Additionally you don’t worry an excessive amount of about bottoming out when traveling through a light trail lined with grass and rocks in the centre, between your two tyre tracks.

2019 Ford Concentrate Active X Estate Price

The OTR base price of £24,905 enables you to question whether spending around £4,000 over the typical Focus Zetec is actually worthwhile. I would personally stick to the estate Focus if you don’t really need the bottom clearance or want a thing that looks that tiny bit unique. Otherwise, investing your cash in optional features and packages with the typical Focus is most likely wiser.

Verdict

An excellent car inevitably undermined by the high cost and the current industry. SUVs and crossovers generate life problematic for hatchbacks and estate autos as it is, consequently a compromised Ford Target Active X is generally going to struggle. If you prefer a more rugged-looking Target then your Active X may be the clear winner, but otherwise the bottom Focus is also an excellent car, why not provide them with both a test before you get.