The diesel Ford Focus has already been on a long-term test in our editorial office, and now we decided to check how the updated version of this model behaves on the road.

After the facelift, the list of engines available to Russian buyers for the Ford Focus remained the same. As two years ago, when diesel Focuses first went on sale, the car is offered with only one engine — a 1.8 TDCi with 115 hp. But now such a car can be purchased not only in the Comfort version, but also in the top Ghia trim. We got the Comfort version for the test, but with a large number of options. Among the additional equipment of our diesel three-door are alloy wheels, stability control, side airbags, leather steering wheel, Sony stereo with Bluetooth and remote control, heated seats and windshield, climate control, center armrest, fog lights, cornering lights, rain and light sensors, and parking sensors. All this added 145 thousand rubles to the price. The sum is considerable, but base diesel competitors cost noticeably more than such a well-equipped Focus.

It is a pity that the 1.8 TDCi engine is not installed on the Focus ST: the sporty look of this version suits the lively nature of the turbodiesel perfectly. During acceleration, the unit delivers up to 300 Nm of torque — that is 115 Nm (!) more than the 2.0-liter petrol engine of a regular Focus, and only slightly less than the 2.5-liter turbo engine of the ST with its 320 Nm. Moreover, the turbodiesel delivers peak torque at low revs, which allows you to win starts from traffic lights against cars with more powerful petrol engines. In the elasticity test, which measures acceleration time from 50 to 100 km/h, the 115-hp Focus 1.8 TDCi beats the 145-hp Focus 2.0 by two and a half seconds. This advantage is perfectly felt on the highway: the turbodiesel installed in the Vsevolozhsk Focus works only with a 5-speed manual, but thanks to excellent traction, you can drive almost like an automatic — engage fifth gear and go. When overtaking, there is no need to downshift; just press the gas harder.

But the diesel also has drawbacks. These are turbo lag up to 1800 rpm and a narrow operating range. Revving the engine is pointless: when the tachometer needle approaches the red zone, which starts already at 4500 rpm, the dynamics do not improve, but noise and fuel consumption grow rapidly. Conversely, if you keep the revs around two thousand, you get the best balance between dynamics and economy, and the noise from the engine compartment is minimal. But driving like that on the highway is not easy: already at 120 km/h, a sixth gear is missing, and real fuel consumption rises to 5.3–5.4 liters per 100 km, which is a liter more than the official figure. However, even so, a full tank is enough for more than 1000 km.

Technical specifications of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi

  • Dimensions — 4337x1839x1500 mm
  • Engine — diesel, 1753 cm³, 115 hp/3750 rpm
  • Transmission — manual, 5-speed
  • Dynamics — max 193 km/h; 10.8 s to 100 km/h
  • Competitors — Opel Astra 1.9 CDTI, VW Golf 1.9 TDI

Advantages and disadvantages

+ The diesel is good both in the city and on the highway. Solid range. Long service intervals, competitive price.
– No transmission choice. Engine noise during intense acceleration.

Driving
Excellent dynamics and handling. Moderate fuel consumption.
5 points

Interior
After the facelift, the car received a beautiful instrument panel and two-tone trim plastic.
4 points

Comfort
The diesel Focus is only slightly noisier than the petrol one. The suspension smooths out road irregularities well.
4 points

Safety
There is always a reserve of traction under the gas pedal, which helps avoid many dangerous situations on the road.
4 points

Price
This is the most advantageous offer on the Russian market for new diesel models of the Golf class.
5 points

Our opinion

The lively 115-hp turbodiesel goes perfectly with the driver-oriented chassis settings of the Focus. In terms of torque reserve and elasticity, the Focus 1.8 TDCi can be compared to the 225-hp hot hatch Focus ST, while the turbodiesel version is an order of magnitude more economical and noticeably cheaper.

Expert opinion

Dmitry Baryshnev, service director at Ford Center Grazhdansky

The turbodiesel that powers the Russian Ford Focus is a reliable, time-tested unit. The long service interval of 20,000 km confirms the engine's unpretentiousness. In my practice, there has not been a single case of owners of such cars encountering a turbo failure or the need for a major engine overhaul, although many of them have mileage over 100,000 km. The only thing diesel Focus owners should fear is low-quality diesel fuel, which can damage the high-pressure fuel pump. At the first suspicion that the turbodiesel has ingested poor fuel (changes in engine operation, appearance of unusual noises or smoke), you should turn off the engine, call a tow truck, and send the car to a service center where the tank will be flushed and the engine checked. By the way, tank cleaning can be done preventively, combining it with the next scheduled maintenance. This procedure will cost 20 times less than installing a new high-pressure fuel pump.