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Ford Focus 2017 review

Hatchback Petrol

Ford Focus 2017 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The facelifted Mk3 Focus remains one of the most enjoyable family hatches to drive, and the 1.0 EcoBoost 125 in Zetec Edition trim is the volume car most UK buyers will find. The three-cylinder turbo feels stronger than its size suggests, helped by a transient overboost to 200 Nm, while the claimed 60.1 mpg and 108 g/km on the NEDC cycle kept tax and fuel costs low when new. Zetec Edition was the sweet spot too: it added SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation over the basic Style trim, plus parking sensors and a heated windscreen.

On the road, the Focus still leads its class for steering feel and chassis balance. It is sharp without being tiring, and the six-speed manual is light and precise. The trade-offs are space and cabin quality: the 316-litre boot and rear legroom sit below the class best, a Golf or Astra carries more, and some plastics feel hard beside newer rivals. Road noise is noticeable at motorway speed, and higher trims ride firmly.

The used-buying story is dominated by one item: the wet belt. The 1.0 EcoBoost timing belt runs in oil, and Ford interval guidance cited by Parkers is 10 years or 100,000 miles, though many specialists recommend earlier replacement. Degraded belt debris can block the oil-pump strainer, so full service history with the correct Ford-spec oil is non-negotiable. No history means pricing in a belt job or walking away. Also check the VIN recall status for the de-gas coolant hose and the clutch pressure-plate campaigns, and remember that this manual car avoids the dry-clutch PowerShift automatic entirely, which is a genuine advantage on the used market.

UK price from: £20,135

Specifications

Engine	999cc turbo petrol, 3-cylinder (1.0 EcoBoost)
Power	125 PS (123 bhp)
Torque	170 Nm (200 Nm transient overboost)
0-62 mph	11.0 seconds
Top speed	120 mph
Fuel economy (NEDC combined)	60.1 mpg
CO2 emissions (NEDC)	108 g/km
Gearbox	6-speed manual
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive
Boot space	316 litres
Kerb weight	1,280 kg
Fuel tank	55 litres
Length	4,358 mm
Insurance group	13
Euro NCAP rating	5 stars (tested 2012, carried over to facelift)

Features

SYNC 3 with 8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, navigation, Bluetooth, voice control and Emergency Assistance
Quickclear heated windscreen and heated washer jets
Rear parking sensors
Cruise control with Active Speed Limiter
16-inch alloy wheels, sports-style front seats and leather-trimmed steering wheel
Air conditioning, trip and fuel computer, and Ford Eco Mode driver information
Ford Easy-Fuel capless refuelling, Hill Start Assist, Torque Vectoring Control and ESP with traction control
Thatcham Category 1 alarm, remote central double locking, MyKey, tyre pressure monitoring and 60/40 split rear seats

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (pair)	£35	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Front brake discs (pair)	£70	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Rear brake pads (pair)	£30	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Oil filter	£10	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Air filter	£18	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
12V battery	£105	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Class-leading handling for a family hatch, with sharp steering and an engaging chassis
The 125 PS 1.0 EcoBoost feels stronger than its size suggests, with overboost to 200 Nm, while claiming 60.1 mpg and 108 g/km
Zetec Edition is well equipped for a volume trim, with proper SYNC 3 navigation, a heated screen and parking sensors included
Cheap to insure (group 13) and cheap to run day to day, with huge UK parts availability
Five-star Euro NCAP rating with front, side and curtain airbags as standard, plus a practical 316-litre boot

Cons

Boot (316 litres) and rear legroom are below the class best, and the rear is tight for tall adults
The wet-belt-in-oil timing system is the big used-buying risk, and expensive if neglected
Cabin quality lags rivals, some plastics feel hard, and road noise is noticeable at motorway speed
Interior design is already dated, and the 1.0 can feel strained fully loaded on steep motorway gradients

Frequently asked questions

How much does a used 2017 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 Zetec Edition cost?

Parkers used range is £2,405 to £4,586. Condition and mileage dominate: clean low-mileage 67-plates were advertised around £4,800 to £5,000, while higher-mileage examples sat around £3,000.

Is the 2017 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost ULEZ compliant?

Yes in principle: it is a Euro 6 petrol. Always check the individual registration on the TfL vehicle checker before buying for London use.

What is the wet-belt problem, and when should it be changed?

The 1.0 EcoBoost timing belt runs in oil. Ford interval guidance cited by Parkers is 10 years or 100,000 miles, but many specialists recommend earlier replacement, and degraded belt debris can block the oil-pump strainer. Budget for a belt change on any 2017 car that has not had one, and demand oil-change history with the correct Ford-spec oil.

Does Zetec Edition include sat-nav?

Yes. SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation is standard on Zetec Edition, with DAB, Bluetooth and Emergency Assistance. It was the headline addition over Style trim.

Should I buy the automatic instead of the manual?

The manual is the safe pick. The automatic version of this trim cost £21,405 new with 125 g/km CO2. If considering any Mk3 automatic, test-drive slowly from rest for shudder or jerking and check gearbox service history: the dry-clutch PowerShift automatics are the notorious Mk3 gearbox, and a shuddering auto should be walked away from.