The Ford Focus is on borrowed time. Production is going to end in November 2025, and with it, one of Britain’s most popular hatchbacks comes to a close. As Ford shifts its focus toward electric vehicles, the Focus is being quietly phased out.
But before it goes, what does the final mild-hybrid version have to offer? Read on to find out…
Quick Overview: Ford Focus 2025
Rating: 4.4/5
The 2025 Ford Focus remains a practical, well-rounded option in the family hatchback segment. It’s well-equipped for everyday usage with an impressively engaging driving experience and sharp handling.
The interior is logically laid out, with good tech and build quality, and it’s available in a wide range of trims and body styles to suit different needs.
While the engine range is somewhat limited, pricing across the line-up is competitive, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious buyers who still value driving engagement.
Pros:
- Sharp handling
- Slick manual gearbox
- Well-equipped
- Roomy rear seats
Cons:
- Limited engine range
- Only mild-hybrid petrol engines
- Touchscreen-only climate controls
Trims & Pricing (UPDATED)
Adviser Rating: 4.0/5
Ford is known for its extensive trim hierarchy, but surprisingly, the 2025 Ford Focus selectively offers only 3 trims. All three trims have two body styles, either hatchback or estate.
As for the pricing, the 2025 Focus starts from £29,560 and goes up to £33,770, depending on which variant you choose.
Let’s take a quick overview of the full line-up with starting pricing:
- ST-Line – from £29,560
- Active X – from £30,760
- ST-Line X Edition – from £30,760
ST-Line is the starting point, priced from £29,560. It’s the sportier gateway into the Focus range, with aggressive styling, red stitching inside, and a firmer suspension tune for sharper handling. It’s a great choice if you like your daily drive with a bit of edge.
Next up is the Active X Edition, priced from £30,760. This one leans more into SUV-inspired territory with a raised ride height, rugged bodystyling, and a bit more equipment as standard. It’s designed for buyers who want a more outdoorsy look and feel without going full crossover.
Then there’s the ST-Line X Edition, also starting at £30,760, which builds on the standard ST-Line with extra tech and comfort features like B&O audio, heated seats, and keyless entry. If you like the sporty look but don’t want to miss out on creature comforts, this is the sweet spot.
All told, although the previous trim range was somewhat overwhelming, it did offer more options to suit different needs. However, as this range has only three versions and not much difference in pricing, it’s difficult to pick just one. That said, if we had to choose, it would be the ST-Line X Edition. There isn’t much of a price difference compared to the ST-Line, but you get more features. The Active X, on the other hand, is more suited if you want an SUV-inspired design and ride.
Performance & Drive
Rating: 4.7/5
Drive- and performance-wise, the Ford Focus makes its priorities clear, and quite frankly, more brands could take a cue from it.
2025 Focus feels sharp, composed, and reassuringly well-sorted on the road.
There are two engine variants to choose from:
- 1.0L EcoBoost 125PS mHEV
- 1.0L EcoBoost 155PS mHEV
125PS Performance
We particularly liked the base 125PS version, as it’s well-suited for everyday driving.
Although it’s not exactly quick, 0–60 mph takes a long 10.4 seconds, it’s not terrible either. That said, it’s definitely not for performance-minded buyers, nor is it meant to be.
However, don’t get us wrong, we tested it in a variety of driving conditions, and it never felt underpowered.
What we particularly like is its manual gearbox. It’s short, slick, and genuinely satisfying to row through.
In fact, it’s a reminder of how much character a good gearbox can bring to a car that, on paper, isn’t all that lively.
155PS Performance
As for the 155PS version, the numbers are better, 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds.
However, it’s only available with an automatic gearbox that doesn’t always do the engine justice. At slow speeds, the transmission can feel a bit clunky and slow to respond. It does improve at higher speeds, though.
The auto gets the job done, but it lacks the natural responsiveness we’d hope for.
Frankly, Ford should have offered a manual option for the 155PS version.
Drive Modes
On the plus side, every model gets three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. While Slippery and Trail modes are only available for the Active series. These modes make subtle adjustments to throttle and steering response without trying to over-engineer the driving experience. That’s a relief. Some cars in this class overdo it with overly digital, gimmicky settings. Not here!
Sport mode adds just enough weight and urgency to feel worthwhile, whereas Eco keeps everything smooth and restrained.
Handling & Steering
But if there’s one area where the Focus still leads the class, it’s handling. The steering is very responsive, and body control is tight. We really appreciate how dialled-in the chassis is.
Noise & Refinement
Now, regarding noise, the 1.0-litre engines thrum away unobtrusively. However, there’s some flutter from the mirrors at motorway speeds. But overall, Focus is impressively well-insulated.
All things considered, Focus 2025 has very well-judged powertrains, sharp handling. And above all, ridiculously good manual gearbox, which adds a level of engagement that’s increasingly rare in this class.
Interior & Tech
Rating: 4.5/5
Inside the Focus 2025, the cabin feels well thought out. Functionality is solid, not flashy, but it does the basics really well.
The overall layout is sensible, and the build quality is excellent. More effort has clearly gone into the pricier versions, though they still don’t quite match up to premium-segment family cars.
Infotainment & Features
Every Focus now comes with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. That’s a great improvement, as previously, there was only an 8.0-inch unit.
The screen resolution is crisp, and the graphics are clean. It runs Ford’s latest Sync 4 software, which is slick, modern, and easy to get your head around. The interface is far more intuitive than what you’ll find in many competitors, and it responds quickly without unnecessary faff.
Standard kit includes DAB radio, Bluetooth, built-in sat-nav, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless support. Higher trims also include wireless phone charging and a superb B&O sound system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer.
Controls & Displays
There are some ergonomic compromises. Most notably, the climate controls are now buried within the touchscreen. There are no physical dials or buttons. So even basic tasks like adjusting the temperature require taking your eyes off the road.
Not a dealbreaker, but we’d argue that physical controls are more practical.
Most models retain an analogue driver’s display. However, X trims come with a 12.3-inch digital cluster. There’s also an optional head-up display, though with the digital dash already doing a stellar job, it feels somewhat redundant.
All in all, the Focus cabin isn’t particularly built to impress; rather, it’s practical, logically laid out, and above all, features solid tech.
You may not fall in love with it at first sight, but you’ll likely grow to appreciate it more every time you drive.
Space, Practicality & Comfort
Rating: 4.5/5
The 2025 Ford Focus remains a thoroughly practical family hatchback. However, there are a few small flaws that stop it from claiming top marks.
Front Seats & Driving Position
Let’s start in the front. Driver comfort is excellent throughout the line-up. The seating position itself is sound, with a well-aligned layout between the seat, pedals and wheel. However, you do sit slightly higher than in some competitors. But it’s easy to find a supportive driving position. Particularly in the X trims, which add a four-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with electric lumbar.
Cabin Storage
Cabin storage is adequate, with large door bins, useful trays for phones and keys, a decent glove box, and well-positioned cupholders.
Everything is sensibly laid out for everyday usability.
Rear Space & Passenger Comfort
Rear seat space used to be a weak point for the Focus, but not anymore. The current model offers impressive legroom and shoulder space for back-seat passengers, comfortably accommodating adults.
Headroom is also good unless you’ve specified the panoramic sunroof, which compromises it a bit.
Comfort & Ride
As for the comfort, Focus walks a fine line. Although it’s not the best, as the Toyota Corolla, for example, will absorb bumps a bit more gently, it feels well tied down and composed.
The ride quality is certainly better than in the Kia Ceed, and even though the ST-Line and ST-Line X are on the firmer side, they don’t feel overly harsh or unsettled.
Boot Space
The boot space is adequate, if not the best. It’s 358 litres, and we’ve successfully managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf without any complaint.
However, there’s a small loading lip to contend with. Also, there’s no height-adjustable floor, which might limit some degree of flexibility.
The only downside, however, is with the X trims. As it comes with an upgraded B&O sound system, the subwoofer is placed beneath the boot floor. Thereby, it cuts the boot volume by roughly one small suitcase’s worth.
Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if practicality is high on your list, or if you’re eyeing a family holiday.
If outright space matters most, particularly boot space, the Ford Focus Estate is well worth a look. It offers all the same strengths, with an impressive 575 litres of boot space.
Fuel Economy & Running Costs
Rating: 4.6/5
We put both variants to the test, and the figures held up well.
The 1.0 EcoBoost 125 mHEV returned 54.3mpg, whereas the 155 mHEV came in slightly lower at 53.3mpg.
Mileage-wise, we’d say Focus delivered decent figures. Emissions are also on the low side, with 118 g/km for the 125PS mHEV and 127 g/km for the 155PS mHEV. That helps keep Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax rates competitive for company car users. If your primary concern is tax efficiency, a plug-in hybrid or fully electric alternative would be a better choice.
Insurance groupings and maintenance costs are equally sensible across most of the range, and with Ford’s extensive dealer network, servicing is straightforward and competitively priced.
So overall, we’d say Focus’s day-to-day running costs are well within reason.
Reliability & Safety
Rating: 4.2/5
Warranty Coverage
All 2025 Focus models come with a three-year warranty, which covers unlimited mileage for the first two years, and up to 60,000 miles in total by the end of year three.
It’s fairly typical for the class, but it does look a bit thin next to the seven years from Kia or Toyota’s 10-year, 100,000-mile coverage.
Euro NCAP Safety Rating
On the safety front, the current-generation Focus was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating back in 2019. That rating has now expired under newer, more stringent protocols, but it’s still a useful reference point.
The car performed well in adult occupant protection (85%) and adequately in child safety (87%), though it was marked down at the time for not including automatic emergency braking (AEB) as standard.
That gap has now been addressed. As of 2025, AEB is standard across the entire Focus range, along with lane-keeping assistance. These features work unobtrusively and provide an extra layer of reassurance in both urban and motorway environments.
Optional Safety Tech & Security
That said, some of the more advanced safety kits, such as driver fatigue monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam, are still bundled into the optional Driver Assist Pack.
It’s reasonably priced, but it would have been good to see more of these features included as standard in a car that competes at this level.
Blind-spot monitoring is another omission from the core spec, available only as a standalone option on higher trims.
In terms of security, every Focus comes with a factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser. So there’s no need to budget for any aftermarket upgrades in that department.
On balance, the Focus offers solid, if unspectacular, reliability credentials and a respectable level of standard safety kit.
It doesn’t lead the field, but it covers the essentials well, and with the right options selected, it can be every bit as reassuring as its closest rivals.
Our Verdict
The Ford Focus may be approaching the end of its production life, but it’s far from irrelevant. In fact, the 2025 model is one of the strongest iterations yet, more refined, better equipped, and as sharp to drive as ever. It remains one of the few cars in this segment that truly engages the driver, with handling that feels precise and in sync.
The interior is smartly laid out, with excellent built quality and impressive tech.
It’s hard to recommend one, but if we had to choose, it would be the ST-Line X Edition. The reason is that there isn’t much of a price difference from ST-Line, yet it has more to offer. Active X, meanwhile, is better suited for those after an SUV-inspired design and ride.
Focus is still one of the easiest cars to recommend. Even in its final chapter, it gets the fundamentals right.
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