[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ford-focus-electric-reviews\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ford-focus-electric-reviews\/","headline":"Ford Focus Electric – what the critics think","name":"Ford Focus Electric – what the critics think","description":"The Focus is one of the biggest selling cars in the world. Electric cars are growing in popularity by the day. Combine the two things to create an all-electric Focus and you\u2019ve got a star car on your hands surely? It hasn\u2019t exactly worked out that way. Ford hasn\u2019t had much experience with hybrid powertrains – let alone full electric cars – so the brand has been cagey about going all-out with the Focus Electric. That\u2019s crazy considering the size […]","datePublished":"2017-09-26","dateModified":"2017-09-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Ford-Focus-Electric-feature-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Ford-Focus-Electric-feature-1.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ford-focus-electric-reviews\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":661,"keywords":["Electric Vehicle","Focus electric","ford","ford focus","nissan leaf"],"articleBody":"The Focus is one of the biggest selling cars in the world. Electric cars are growing in popularity by the day. Combine the two things to create an all-electric Focus and you\u2019ve got a star car on your hands surely?It hasn\u2019t exactly worked out that way. Ford hasn\u2019t had much experience with hybrid powertrains – let alone full electric cars – so the brand has been cagey about going all-out with the Focus Electric.That\u2019s crazy considering the size and influence of a company like Ford. As it was, the original all-electric Focus was used by Ford as a testbed to see what it was capable of. A small number of models – around 50 – were sent out to some company fleets and very few have reached the hands of private motorists.With such restricted availability, only the most committed will ever get chance to drive it, but is it even worth the effort? Here\u2019s what the UK motoring press think\u2026No funAuto Express (AE) wasn\u2019t bowled over, awarding it three out of five stars. In its petrol or diesel guise, they praise the Focus as one of the best handling and most enjoyable to drive family hatchbacks money can buy.However, AE feels that switching it to full electric has tarnished driver engagement, making the car feel stodgy and stiff. And that\u2019s the main beef with the Focus Electric: it isn\u2019t fun.Nor is it as practical as the conventional Focus because boot space is reduced with the batteries hogging more room than they probably should.It\u2019s expensive too. Not to run, but to actually get hold of in the first place with a \u00a331,625 asking price far outstripping that of the \u00a326k Nissan Leaf.But once it\u2019s acquired, there are cost benefits to be enjoyed such as free road tax and exemption from the London congestion charge. For company car drivers, a 20 per cent taxpayer will pay \u00a3569 annually, which is much more favourable than \u00a31,332 for a two-litre diesel Focus.Sadly, the Focus Electric\u2019s plummeting value and dreadful depreciation means that the employer will be saddled with much of the burden, forking out thousands of pounds for a green corporate image.SecretiveVisually, there aren\u2019t many clues that hint to the electric nature of this Focus. If you fail to spot the badges on the front doors and rear hatchback or the circular flap on the front wing that hides the charging socket, you\u2019d think this was any other Focus.It doesn\u2019t sound like any other Focus though. AE praises its \u2018whisper-quiet\u2019 and refined drive, remaining \u2018calm and relaxed all the way up to motorway speeds\u2019.The electric powertrain comprises a 33.5kWh battery pack powering a 107kW electric motor, which is the same as a 143bhp petrol engine. It can hit 62mph in 11.3 seconds and AE reckons it feels a lot faster due to the instant torque of the electric motor. It won\u2019t go much faster than motorway speeds though, with a top speed of 86mph.Carbuyer.co.uk agrees with AE\u2019s \u2018lack of fun\u2019 accusation, claiming that the electric Focus is \u2018a far less rewarding car to drive than the petrol or diesel powered versions\u2019.It takes issue with the significantly firmer suspension (the result of weighty batteries), which has scuppered ride quality with lumps and potholes now more noticeable.These batteries reduce what would usually be a 316-litre boot to 237 litres; a point which didn\u2019t impressive Carbuyer much.VerdictThe Focus Electric is further evidence that merely bolting electric workings into a pre-existing petrol car doesn\u2019t always result in a great electric car.VW\u2019s eGolf got away with it but cars like the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf were built from the ground up as electric and that\u2019s why they work so well.For now, perhaps it\u2019s just as well you can\u2019t really get hold of a Focus Electric\u2026"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ford Focus Electric – what the critics think","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ford-focus-electric-reviews\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]