The Essentials

• Price from £17,300
• What Car? says:
• Fuel economy: up to 67.3mpg
• What is it? Almost flawless family estate

• Drive

  Still one of the best driving cars in this class

• Inside

  We challenge anyone not to find a comfortable driving position

• Safety

  High-tech electronic safety systems not only improve safety but help make the Focus Estate great to drive, too

• Reliability

  The Focus was rated 'below average' in the 2012 JD Power customer satisfaction survey

• Space

  Comfortable for four adults, if not quite as big as a VW Golf. Boot is a good shape and the rear seats fold completely flat

• Standard and extras

  Respectable standard kit includes air-con and Bluetooth connectivity; shopaholics beware:  there's an awesome options list

• What's it like to drive?

  As with its hatchback sibling, the Focus Estate is great to drive. It's superbly controlled around corners with pin-sharp steering and a slick gearshift. The suspension is a touch firm at low speeds, but never uncomfortable. With a wide variety of engines there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. Our favourite is the 148bhp petrol which balances performance with sensible running costs. A little more noise reaches the cabin in the estate version than the hatch.

• What's it like inside?

  Anyone should feel comfortable inside thanks to the well-organised driving position of the Ford Focus Estate. Opt for Titanium spec or above and the interior decor is as good to look at as it is easy to use. And there's plenty of room inside whether you're off to lunch with the girls or taking the family out. While the boot is a useful square shape, its not quite as big as that in rival cars such as the Vauxhall Astra. However, the rear seats fold flat to create a useful loadbay for transporting large items.

• How reliable is it?

  Safety kit is a cut above and clever electronics will help keep the car on the road, however the Focus was rated 'below average' in the 2012 JD Power customer satisfaction survey.

• Should I buy one?

  The Ford Focus Estate is staple fare on the company car driver's menu thanks to the clean, frugal engines. High numbers on the roads will push down resale values, so make sure you negotiate a discount from your dealer to soften the blow. Our favourite Titanium model comes with goodies such as cruise control, climate control, automatic lights and wipers and can be started at the touch of a button rather than the turn of a key.