The Ford Focus is one of the bestselling cars in Ireland and for good reason. It has style, is nice to drive and resale values are good. On the upgraded the Focus, apart from the front grille design, for me, the main change is an easier-to-use radio and dash system.

Ford has adopted the same front grille design across its three most popular models: the Focus, Fiesta and Mondeo. What the design has done is made the cars look that bit longer, without adding much interior space – and that’s at a time when I would like to see cars that are more compact and spacious, while making them easier to drive.

The Focus is available as a hatchback, saloon or estate; I drove the hatchback, which I think looks best. There are a number of specification grades available with the Zetec holding the middle ground. The 115bhp Zetec I had is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine. This car is not on the standard price list, so it’s €850 more expensive than the entry price for the 95bhp version of the car, which starts at €24,195.

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The 115bhp model is impressive with more pace than the 95bhp machine but with equally good economy. However, my lasting impression was one of a high level of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) from the diesel engine and the transmission system. Maybe it was the sports suspension that was the culprit, but it made for a less than comfortable journey over the Wicklow Gap.

This aspect of the car is probably difficult to measure, but after driving it for over 850km, and with two sensitive wrists after a fall some years ago, the effect was noticeable. I had expected it to be a more pleasant car to drive, but this was not to be the case, especially after having stepped from an Opel Astra (as featured last week) into the Focus, so I was disappointed with the result.

The more measurable aspects of the car include acceleration, fuel economy and space. This new Focus has a fuel economy rating of 25km/litre (4.2l/100km or 67mpg). My driving style meant that I struggled to get close to 900km from the large 62.5-litre tank. That converts to close to 15km/litre of diesel and that’s well off the official figure, and below what I had achieved in the Astra.

The Focus is lively – a match for Volkswagen’s Golf with a similar size engine, and marginally faster than the Opel Astra. The handling is good, as you would expect from a Focus, but for me the overall driving impression was lacking in smoothness, with a high level of road noise from the Bridgestone 215/50 R17 tyres.

In terms of features, this Focus was well equipped. The standard car comes with air-conditioning, auto stop/start, electric windows, leather steering wheel, front fog lamps, chrome exterior detailing, quick-clear heated windscreen and centre console with armrest.

The extras included the Sync Gen 2, Ford’s new automated parking system (which is a dream to use), LED daytime running lights (which seem a bit expensive at €250 extra), and 17in alloy wheels and a full body kit. These pushed the price to €28,755.

The Sync 2 system that controls the features on the dash was also impressive and easy to set up. This allows you to control a range of features such as text messages, mobile phone control and satnav – all by voice commands, making life easier and safer for the driver.

The boot is spacious and had a space saver spare wheel. I like the Ford fuel system which doesn’t have a cap, so your hands stay clean. It has a novel filler pipe so that only larger diameter diesel filler hoses can get in, thereby removing the danger of accidentally filling with petrol.

I was disappointed with the Focus towing rating at just 1,200kg – well below the competition and lower than in the past.

The entry price for the diesel Zetec model is €25,045 (£19,695 in NI). This is more expensive than the Opel Astra and marginally cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf. The Focus compares well with both in terms of running costs and low road tax. My sports suspension experience with this Focus was negative; I expect that the standard specification car will have a better driving experience to offer – at least I hope so.

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec

Engine 1.6 litre

Engine power 115bhp

0-100km/hr 11.0 seconds

Economy 25km/litre

Fuel tank 62.5 litres

CO2 emissions 109g/km

Road tax A3 (€190)

Service interval 30,000km (12 months)

Safety rating 5 stars (2012)

Towing rating 1,200kg

Warranty Two years

Entry price €25,045

NI price £19,695