Ford Focus Active Review 2026

November 2018

Formal announcement of Ford Focus Active crossover.

Available in five-door hatchback and estate body styles with rugged exterior styling, the Focus Active features a 10mm raised ride-height and a bespoke chassis configuration to retain Focus driving dynamics while delivering enhanced rough-road ability and a higher driving position. The car has bespoke Slippery and Trail modes added to the Focus Active’s Selectable Drive and standard roof rails to help carry bicycles or sports equipment.

Powertrain options include Ford’s 1.0-litre belt in oil EcoBoost and 1.5-litre chain cam 3-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engines delivering up to 182PS, and Ford’s 1.5-litre EcoBlue and 2.0-litre EcoBlue belt cam 4-cylinder diesel engines delivering up to 150PS – combined with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Advanced driver assistance features include Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Front Lighting System and Active Park Assist technologies.

Equipped as standard in five-door and estate body styles with Ford’s short long arm (SLA) independent rear suspension, the Focus Active chassis features unique springs, dampers, stabiliser bars, and front and rear knuckle geometries, alongside a ride height raised 30mm front and 34mm rear over the standard Focus.

The SLA system optimises comfort and response, and features an isolated subframe that delivers a desirable balance between front and rear compliance over larger bumps in the road, for smoother journeys. Multi-compound bushes feature different stiffness characteristics when stressed in different directions, for better isolation of smaller bumps and improved noise, vibration and harshness. A unique SLA geometry for the station wagon model repositions the dampers helping the vehicle remain agile and responsive even with a fully loaded boot, and helping maximise boot space with a wider load-floor area.

For improved rough road ride and durability, 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted with higher-profile 215/55 R17 tyres. 18-inch wheels with 215/50 R18 tyres are also available. In addition to the Normal, Sport and Eco Selectable Drive Modes equipped as standard for all Focus models, the Focus Active introduces: Slippery mode, which adjusts ESC and traction control settings for increased confidence on surfaces with reduced grip such as mud, snow and ice; reduces straight-ahead wheel spin, including when pulling away from stationary and delivers a more passive throttle response; Trail mode, which helps maintain momentum on soft surfaces such as sand; adjusts anti-lock braking to allow greater wheel slip; configures traction control to allow higher wheel spin that cleans sand, snow or mud from the tyres; and delivers a more passive throttle response

A dark grille with unique mesh pattern features a dark surround, echoed by the body style mouldings that flow from the front bumper lip, through the wheel arches and side profile to the rear. Front and rear bumper designs are also unique to the Focus Active variant, as are silver-finish front and rear skid plates, and alloy wheel designs. Vibrant paint colours include new Metropolis White and Orange Glow, and customers can also opt for a contrast colour roof depending on body colour.

Inside, a leather steering wheel and gearknob with a leather grip, bright elements on the dashboard and door panels, and Active scuff plates deliver a high-quality feel. The high-bolstered seats are trimmed with distinctive Active cloth featuring blue stitching, and mats with blue stitching are also available.

Front seat occupants enjoy shoulder room of 1,421mm, and instrument panel positioning is optimised for greater space. A narrower centre console, electric parking brake and rotary gear shift dial for the eight-speed automatic transmission also free up more space for the driver and front passenger.

Rear passenger knee clearance is a best-in-class 81mm. Rear shoulder-room is increased by almost 60mm compared with the previous Focus. The impression of spaciousness is enhanced with a rear door design featuring windows that stretch into the rear pillar for a more airy sensation.

Comfort and convenience features help make the Focus Active even more versatile for adventurous families. Accessing the load area with arms full of camping gear is made easier using Ford’s Hands-free tailgate technology that allows access to the estate boot space with a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper.

The station wagon's load area has been designed to accommodate a large dog crate with 1,653-litre maximum capacity. There is space for the load cover to be stored below the flexible height load deck.

Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment technology allows drivers to control audio, navigation and climate functions plus connected smartphones using simple voice commands, and is supported by an 8-inch colour touchscreen that can be operated using pinch and swipe gestures. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™, and is available alongside a premium B&O audio system that ensures everyone in the car can enjoy the soundtrack to their adventure with a concert-hall experience.

New FordPass Connect onboard modem technology for the Focus turns the Active into a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices, and an available Wireless charging pad beneath the instrument panel enables occupants to easily charge compatible smartphones and stay connected on the move.

The Focus Active delivers the comprehensive range of sophisticated driver assistance technologies, as in the Focus: These include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control, which now enhanced with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring for negotiating stop-start traffic
• Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System with new camera-based Predictive curve light and Sign-based light that pre-adjust headlamp patterns for improved visibility by monitoring bends in the road and road signs
• Active Park Assist 2, which now also operates gear selection, acceleration and braking to enable fully-automated manoeuvres at the push of a button
• A Head-Up display helping drivers focus their attention on the road ahead
• Evasive Steering Assist that helps drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions

Focus Active buyers can choose from a range of advanced Ford EcoBoost petrol and Ford EcoBlue diesel engines delivering optimised power and refinement. Powertrains are supported by standard Auto Start-Stop for reduced running costs; and slick-shifting six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic transmissions for effortless cruising. The sophisticated eight-speed automatic adapts to different driving styles to offer optimised gear changes.

Ford’s 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine emits from 107g/km CO 2 emissions and offers 58.9mpg . Ford’s 150PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine emits from 121g/km and offers 53.3mpg. Ford’s 120PS 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine emits from 93g/km and offers 62.8mpg. Ford’s 150PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine emits from 114g/km and offers 78.5mpg.(All WLTP combined)

The Ford Focus Active is manufactured using industry-first processes at Ford’s Saarlouis assembly facility, Germany, the all-new Ford Focus Active crossover is available to order now for delivery from January 2019, in Active and Active X series, 5 door and estate models with prices starting from £21,900.