Still the benchmark car in its class, the one that each other manufacturer uses to judge the prosperity of its competing products, Focus emerges in four different body packages, with engine choices to satisfy almost any requirement.

Handling is great through the range, and also the high-series 2.0 litre 170PS cars are very lively performers. The entry-level 1.4 litre unit (not offered in all markets) is swifter than may be expected.

Accommodation is preferable to the body size suggests, noise levels superbly managed, and also the complete dynamic package co-ordinated to some level that many other auto makers aspire to attain.