Ford Focus Estate (2011 – 2014) Review

Ford Focus Estate (2011 – 2014) At A Glance

4/5

+As good as the hatchback. Great to drive and very refined. Upmarket and comfortable interior. Usefully large boot. The best looking estate this size.

-Top 2.0 TDCI PowerShift automatic models are pricey.

Insurance Groups are between 10–36
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

It may not exactly be very rock and roll, but there is a reason you see so many Ford Focus models on the road. It's simply a great car. The hatchback was keenly anticipated when it was launched in early 2011 but the estate version seemed to go under the radar, somewhat eclipsed by the hatchback. Which is a shame as the Focus Estate is just as good as the hatch version.

In fact, it actually has more going for it. It's equally as good to drive, rides just as well and comes with the same choice of impressive engines. There's the strong yet frugal TDCI diesels which the majority of people choose but the petrols shouldn't be overlooked. Ford has a range of new turbocharged smaller petrols called EcoBoost which are great fun to drive yet surprisingly economical for the performance they offer.

Of course the big advantage is the extra carrying space with more than 450 litres of boot space and the ability to fold down the rear seats to create a huge load area of more than 1500 litres. And unlike many estate versions of hatchbacks, the Focus Estate actually looks good. We'd even go as far as saying it's more attractive than the standard Focus. 

While prices aren't cheap, the Focus Estate is decent value for money. Prices start at £17,100 on-the-road and it comes with more than £1000 of additional standard equipment versus the equivalent outgoing model, including Bluetooth and voice control, a USB connection and torque vectoring - a clever system that makes cornering sharper and improved grip.

 

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Child seats that fit a Ford Focus Estate (2011 – 2014)

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Real MPG average for a Ford Focus Estate (2011 – 2014)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

28–67 mpg

MPGs submitted

194

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

I need a work vehicle - what's available for £3500?

"I bought a Suzuki Carry in November, but it got stolen 46 days later. I need something else before starting work again (I'm a decorator). I'm struggling to find anything that's petrol, without high mileage. Are there any small vans available in my £3500 budget? Would an Estate be spacious enough? If I end up with a car, I fancy an automatic. I've seen a Renault Kangoo that could be turned into a van, but a lot of reviews have put me off. I've also looked at a Ford Focus Estate online, but I don't know if it's big enough. Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you for you time."
Have you considered the Vauxhall Astravan? It's based on the Astra Estate and has metal panels in place of the rear windows. It's relatively inexpensive to run and will carry loads measuring 1.78m long and 1.38m wide (with 1.10m between the wheelarches). For our full Vauxhall Astravan review and used buying guide, see: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/vauxhall/astravan-2006
Answered by Dan Powell

Is it normal for the gears on a 2012 Ford Focus estate to not engage very quickly at low speed?

"I've owned a 2012 Ford Focus estate 2.0 TDCi for 5 months. Occasionally, when in low speed, the gear is not engaging fast enough so the car is revving up, shuddering and losing its power. Is this just what this gearbox is like, meaning I have to bear with it, or is something is deteriorating/broken?"
A 2012 should have had its fluid and filter replaced after 3/4 years and that might be why it is malfunctioning.
Answered by Honest John

Can you recommend an economical estate?

"Can you recommend an economical replacement for a Ford Focus TDCI 109 estate?"
The current Ford Focus 1.6TDCI 115 is proving to be more reliable than the older 16v 110. But KIA gives its chain cam cee'd 1.6CRDI a seven year or 100,000 mile warranty: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/kia/kia-ceed-2012-road-test//
Answered by Honest John

Which tyres and wheels should I fit to a Ford Focus Estate?

"You advised MH that 15-inch wheels with 195/65 tyres would give an even softer ride. I have been considering a Ford Focus Estate 1.6 EcoBoost (182 PS) to replace my present 2009 Mercedes C220 CDI Sport. In the Ford Focus brochure I can find no option for 15-inch wheels. I would be happy with steel wheels, but would such a change invalidate the warranty? I can only find reference to alloy 16-incn x 7-inch, 7 x 2-spoke with 215/55 tyres in the brochure."
I wouldn't advise 15-inch wheels with 195/65s for the 1.6 EcoBoost 182. That actually needs lower profile tyres. But 16-inch wheels with 215/55 R16s (or 215/55 R16s) are enough. The best tyres this size I have driven on were Toyo J48s.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Ford Focus Estate (2011 – 2014) cost?