THE second generation Ford Focus was much more bland to look at than the first and I thought Ford had made a retrograde step until I drove one.
But they are huge fun to drive, with excellent handling and road-holding, which make them more sporting than any such a family car has a right to be and a ride that is also right up there with the best.
Despite criticism of those looks, it got excellent reviews from most motoring pundits including me and I still enjoy driving them tremendously.
There's a plentiful array of models, so choose your engine size and then try and find the one that suits your pocket.
Petrol engines range up from a 78bhp 1.4 and a 98bhp 1.6 to a 142bhp 2.0-litre Zetec.
The diesels are 88 and 108bhp 1.6s borrowed from Peugeot and a 134bhp 2.0-litre.
The steering is superb in them all and even the 1.4 offers reasonable performance with good economy.
Interior
Interior space was improved and the boot is a decent size, which can be made larger using the split-folding back seat.
Trim levels start with Studio, and go up through LX, Style and Zetec to Ghia. All have electric front windows and central locking, plus front and side airbags.
FAST FACTS
Ford Focus
Price: Pay £4,350 from a Ford dealer for an ’06 06-reg LX five door, or £8,000 for an ’09 09-reg Zetec five door
Mechanical: 98bhp, 1596cc, 4 cylinder petrol driving the front wheels via a 5 speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 42
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 159g/km
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: VW Golf