For 2021, the Ford Focus range has been dramatically pared down while the remaining variants have seen some spec changes.
Model year 2021 Ford Focus models are already in local showrooms, having first started arriving late last year.
Most notable is the removal of blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and the B&O Play sound system 10-speaker sound system from the flagship Focus ST.
Though blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remain options on the ST-Line and Active hatchbacks, you can no longer get these safety features on the ST.
“We are always evaluating content changes and any feature opportunities on our vehicles and will take on board customer feedback,” said a spokesperson for Ford Australia, adding it doesn’t have any plans to announce the return of these features as options.
Their removal is partially offset by the introduction of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the ST, while manual ST models now have adaptive cruise control – albeit understandably without the automatic’s stop/go functionality.
ST-Line and Active models retain the existing analogue gauges with a 4.2-inch digital information display.
Rolled out across the range is the FordPassConnect, allowing you to remotely locate, unlock, lock and start your vehicle through the FordPass app.
As we reported last year, the ST-Line now has independent rear suspension like the ST, Active and defunct ST-Line wagon. Previously, it used a torsion-beam rear suspension.
Front parking sensors are now standard across the range, while each Focus variant has better standard-fit headlights than they did last year – reflector LED units for the ST-Line and Active and LED projector headlights for the ST. Focus models also illuminate the road with LED fog lights with cornering lights.
Last year saw the Trend and Titanium hatchbacks and ST-Line wagon follow the even shorter-lived Ambiente base model out the door. That leaves a hatchback-only range with just three trim levels.
Active and ST-Line prices are up by $1000 and $2000, respectively, for 2021, while two new reds – Race Red and Fantastic Red – join the colour palette.
With the lower end of the Focus range now hollowed out, the cost of entry into a Focus in Australia is now $30,990 before on-road costs. That gets you either an ST-Line or an Active.
The range previously opened at $23,490 before on-road costs with the Ambiente, before it was discontinued.
Focus sales declined 49.0 per cent last year in what proved to be a rough year for the small car segment.
With 1878 sales, the Ford outpaced fellow Europeans like the Peugeot 308 (218) and Renault Megane (233) but fell well short of the Volkswagen Golf (10,012), which itself was bested by more than two-to-one by the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla.
Pricing
- 2021 Ford Focus ST-Line: $30,990
- 2021 Ford Focus Active: $30,990
- 2021 Ford Focus ST manual: $44,890
- 2021 Ford Focus ST auto: $44,890
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The 2021 Ford Focus comes with a choice of two engines.
Standard in the ST-Line and Active is a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 134kW of power and 240Nm. It’s mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 2020 Ford Focus ST uses a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 206kW and 420Nm. It’s available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ford Focus consumes 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle except in ST guise, which consumes 8.1L/100km with a manual transmission and 8.8L/100km with an automatic.
All 2021 Ford Focus models require 95RON premium unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
The 2021 Ford Focus measures 4378mm long, 1825mm wide and 1471mm tall (1458mm in the ST).
Total luggage space is 341L, increasing to 1320L with the rear seats folded. Underneath the load bay floor is a space-saver spare.
Servicing and Warranty
All 2021 Ford Focus models require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
In addition to its five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, Ford is offering four years of capped-price servicing for the Focus. Each service is priced at $299.
Safety
When the Ford Focus was tested by ANCAP in 2019, it received a rating of five stars.
That rating was based on an adult occupant protection score of 96 per cent, child occupant protection of 87 per cent, pedestrian protection of 72 per cent and safety assist of 72 per cent.
All 2021 Ford Focus models come standard with the following safety equipment:
- Autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning and pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane-keeping assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Intelligent speed assistance with traffic sign recognition
- Anti-lock brakes
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist are optional on the ST-Line and Active.
Standard Equipment
Though the ST-Line and Active look different externally, they both come standard with:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- FordPassConnect
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wireless phone charging
- Six-speaker sound system
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Sports suspension (ST-Line only)
- LED headlights with adaptive cornering lights
- LED front fog lights
- Keyless entry and start
- Automatic headlights and high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Electronic park brake
- Paddle shifters
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lights
- Roof rails (Active only)
- Cruise control
The optional Driver Assistance Pack adds:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic assist
The Panorama Pack adds a panoramic sunroof, illuminated vanity mirrors and a sunglass holder.
Over the ST-Line and Active, the ST adds the turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine plus:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Adaptive suspension
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Recaro sports seats
- Electronic limited-slip differential
- Dual exhaust outlets
- Unique ST styling elements including a large rear spoiler, unique bumpers and side skirts
- Metallic pedals
- Multi-colour ambient lighting
- Launch control (manual only)
Manual models still have adaptive cruise control standard, though it lacks stop/go functionality.
A panoramic sunroof is also optional on the ST.
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