1999 Ford Focus Ghia review from UK and Ireland

Inside looks a little shabby now. The previous owner smoked heavily for the first 80,000 miles. Little bits of plastic trim have come away from the interior.

The timing belt change at a main dealer was not completed correctly - several bolts had not been replaced, leaving tensioning pulleys loose. The rubber sheared off the belt, and the job needed doing again.

I'm a bit too tall to drive comfortably for hours at a time. In fact my old Astra was better in that respect.

No intrinsic problems though. Generally reliable.

Good performance for a standard model (i.e. not RS or modified car). Accelerates well up to about 80mph. Ford quote 0-60 in 9.2secs, which I can concur with. Achieved 120mph, but I slowed after that as it was a little scary! Very stable on the road, and traction control provides a little extra safety feature useful if the drivers is too hasty.

Lots of room inside, useful for moving house. Can't split the rear seat pad, only the rear seat backs, so this could be more flexible.

Air-con is effective, and the audio is pleasant to listen to.

Can see why it won so many awards, and has been imitated elsewhere.

Does about 32mpg when driven enthusiastically. Get about 36mpg on the motorway at 85mph.