2004 Ford Focus Ghia review from UK and Ireland

So far so good - no faults.

I was holding out for the mk5 Golf, as I'd had a mk4 TDi PD 115 which I liked a lot, but which had suffered from lots of niggling faults.

Drove the mk5 and was very disappointed. Found it harsh and unrefined next to the mk4. Performed well, but the interior looked cheap and the steering still felt vague and overlight like the mk4.

Drove the Focus (top spec Ghia 115 TDCi with all the options is still three grand less than the GT TDi 140 mk5 Golf) and thought it took the Golf apart as a driver's car. Now the Golf has lost its gorgeous interior, it has also lost its main appeal. Focus steers better, rides better, goes almost as well (25 PS down, but nearly 300kg lighter) and is generally just nicer to drive.

Gripes - the interior plastics are low rent with the same brittle, shiny quality as a 1983 Sierra I once owned. Seems well put together though. Also the seats make your butt go numb after 100 miles or so. Not something I noticed on the test drive.

Good points - great performance with amazing in gear punch, 47 mpg average and so far 100% reliability. Still a great drivers car too with a slick gearbox, good positive steering and incredible agility.

Well worth a look.