The Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta are two of Britain's most popular and well-loved family cars. The Focus is a mid-size hatchback that offers a blend of practicality, driving engagement, and value, while the smaller Fiesta supermini prioritises agility and fun behind the wheel. Both have been consistent best-sellers, although the Fiesta was discontinued in 2023, but which one is the better fit for you?
This in-depth comparison looks at how the Focus Mk4 and most recent Fiesta generation match up across key areas like interior space, technology features, running costs, and driving dynamics. We'll examine their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which used Ford hatchback deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Ford Focus vs Ford Fiesta
Practicality
The larger Ford Focus has the edge over the Fiesta when it comes to interior space and practicality. The Mk4 Focus provides ample room for rear passengers, even for taller adults, while the Fiesta's back seats are a bit more cramped. The Focus hatchback's 375-litre boot is competitive for the family car class, though the Fiesta's 292 litres of cargo room lags behind some rivals like the Renault Clio.
That said, the Fiesta remains a reasonably practical supermini, especially if you stick to the five-door body style. The taller Focus Active and Fiesta Active models sacrifice a bit of boot space for their raised ride heights but gain some light off-road ability.
Overall, if hauling capacity is a priority, the Focus pulls ahead. But the Fiesta still provides perfectly adequate space for smaller families.
Driving Impressions
One of the Focus and Fiesta's standout attributes is their fun, engaging driving experience. Both cars exhibit the precise steering, agile handling, and eager powertrains that have become Ford hallmarks.
The Focus leans into this slightly more, with a particularly impressive blend of comfort and control that makes it genuinely enjoyable to drive even in more humble specifications. The sporty ST model ratchets up the excitement further with both petrol and diesel options.
But don't overlook the nimble, playful Fiesta either. Its tidy dimensions and slick manual gearboxes make it a hoot to hustle along a twisting road. Performance fans will appreciate the raucous Fiesta ST hot hatch.
While the Fiesta has an edge in outright agility, the Focus counters with a more refined demeanour at highway speeds. Either way, both Fords prioritise driving engagement over outright comfort.
Technology and Equipment
Both the Focus and Fiesta come well-equipped across their trim levels, with touchscreen infotainment systems, smartphone integration, and desirable features like heated windscreens.
Higher Focus trims like the Titanium add upscale amenities such as head-up displays and premium audio systems. The Fiesta's cabin is a bit more basic, even if you step up to the top Vignale specification.
In terms of advanced safety tech, the Focus pulls ahead with more active driver aids available. But the Fiesta still provides a solid lineup of modern in-car technology.
Ford kept the Focus's engine lineup fresh with updates like its latest mild-hybrid petrol powertrains. The Fiesta's range is a bit simpler, centred around its characterful turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engines.
Running Costs
When it comes to running costs, there's not a huge gap between the Focus and Fiesta. Both prioritise affordable, fuel-efficient motoring without being outright class leaders.
The most frugal non-hybrid Focus diesel officially returns 67.3mpg, while even the punchy 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines top 50mpg. The mild-hybrid models provide a further efficiency boost.
In the Fiesta range, you're looking at around 51-56mpg for the mainstream petrol engines, with the old diesel topping out at 65.7mpg. Real-world economy will depend on your driving style, with the smaller Fiesta having an inherent advantage.
Other running costs like servicing, insurance, and road tax are affordable for both cars' segments, and neither is overly expensive to buy in the first place. The Focus's slightly larger size makes it a bit pricier to run.
Neither of these models have the best reputation for reliability, though, and Ford's three-year/60,000 mile warranty is a fair way off the best in class.
Verdict
The Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta are both highly compelling offerings that showcase why these two nameplates remain so popular in the UK.
If you need a bit more interior space and practicality, the Focus hatchback and estate models provide an advantage over the more compact Fiesta. The larger Ford also has a more refined demeanour on the highway.
However, the Fiesta counters with lower running costs, greater agility and manoeuvrability around town, and a bit more interior flair than the Focus's plain cabin. It's the slightly more affordable and effervescent choice.
Neither car is a class leader in any particular area. But both represent an incredibly well-rounded and engaging ownership proposition that blends driving fun with everyday usability and value. For many buyers, that's a winning formula.