Ford Focus - Practicality

[dc101]

Hi there,

We're expecting our first child in September and I'm in the market for a new (second hand) car. Considering a ford focus as they seem to get pretty good reviews and not too expensive. One slight concern is practicality for a new baby and all the baby things that will be needed to fit in. Anyone got any experience with this car? Is it practical with enough boot space for baby things?

Thanks!

Hi,

We changed to a Ford Focus at the start of the year from a little 207 - the boot is huge and was the main selling point versus the Astra I liked better. Lots of room, and fits our double pram without any issue. I think it’s roomy enough in the back even with 6’3” husbands chair pushed quite far back.

Ford Focus is a nice family car.

One thing to be aware of is some family type cars come with these storage boxes under the floor in the back seats. These cause a problem with isofix installed baby seats because the stabilising legs can't be placed on the lid of the box, it's too much potential pressure if you had an accident.

If you've already chosen your car seat you might want to check a fit checker before you buy the car. Not all car seats fit all cars (though at the baby stage it's fairly universal.)

Great, thanks for your replies. So it can fit everything needed for a few days away. Suitcases, pram etc?

Noted on the car seat, I'll make sure I check before I buy one.

Thanks

We have only recently bought a new car but had a Ford focus for 8 years. Our last holiday it had 3 car seats in the back. In the boot we had a pram, large suitcase, stair gate, bag of toys, potty and high chair that fixes to a normal chair. Don't ask me how my husband managed it.

Oh and a travel cot

They're one of the best selling cars for over a decade for a very good reason.

There’s no logical reason not to buy a Ford Focus .

Hello, we’ve had two Ford Focus cars now and would definitely recommend them as a family car. As a PP said the boot is huge. We went on a family holiday (2x adults and 2x children) to Cornwall and managed to fit all of the bags for a week plus the Oyster Max double pushchair.
It’s also comfortable with two car seats and an adult in the back.

Very good,practical car. There's a reason why there are so many around. Also consider having a look at cars such as the Honda 1.6 Dtec and similar. Jap,,very reliable, practical etc..

The Focus is roomy and quite nice. Just don't get an Ecoboost engine. Google 'Ford Ecoboost engine failure' for further details 😬
I needed a new engine after 27000 miles then found out this was a common fault. I found a Facebook group dedicated to it. Hundreds of people. Their engines needed replacing after about 30000 miles. But even after replacing the engine, that one needed replay again after another 30k miles. Some poor sods got their engine replaced only to be told the engine in the car wasn't the original one 🙈. Ford were buggers to deal with and tried to get me to pay the £5k for the engine as well as £250 to 'diagnose' the fault. They eventually paid for it. I realised the other day I have not seen the Ecoboost badge anymore. They initially didn't want to recall it and we're letting people agree to pay for new engines even though it was a recognised fault, or holding out and then eventually agreeing to pay. Maybe they've finally recalled them all now. I thought it was pretty unethical of them to keep in circulation a car whose engine could just blow up at any time.

My 9 year old focus is lovely as was the one before.

If you are worried about boot space then make sure you check as depending on the spare tyre option the amount of boot depth varies iirc.

I didn't do 'baby' as started at 2.5 years, but it was big enough for a big 4 wheeled 'off road' pushchair.
Also has ample surface area for shopping.

the heated front windscreens in Fords are ace too.

I had a Focus, really good for the kids when there were prams.

We have a Zafira now and it is dull, but if you really need to cart lots around it's brilliant. The kids like it as it's high and they can see out of the back better.

You may want to consider cars with slide doors.
Our other car was a Kia Sedona and it was so much easier getting children in and out, and much less stress in carparks etc.
There are some smaller cars around with them (ie not people carriers).

Weve got a golf and a caravelle, the golf is a similar size to a focus, a pram will take up the majority of the boot, unless you start pulling wheels off etc and standing it on its side behind stuff.
If I didnt have the van I'd be looking at big estate cars to ferry the kids about in, it gets tiring fast everytime you go shopping and have limited space due to a buggy in the boot.

If you have your buggy already take it car shopping with you and try some cars for size

If it’s a Focus Estate you’ll be fine in the long term. We got one pre dd1, now, 8 years later have 2 dds and can get loads in, huge boot and isofix etc. If not, and you have 2 kids+, then you’ll end up trading it in. Even a standard stroller takes up quite a bit of space!!!

Sliding doors I'm in two minds about. We have a Grand C-Max and the weight in the sliding doors is scary. I could see them causing a serious injury if the kids get their hands caught. We have a sloping drive and my youngest isn't strong enough to control the door. Saying that we've had it for 5 years and it's been OK.

Another positive here. Was great for baby days, so much space. Later I had 2 bikes in the back for 5 & 7 yr olds.

If we go on muddy walks it’s the kind of boot the kids can stand and get changed in.

Mine has like a long haired carpet floor at the back. It wasn’t brilliant for mopping up sick, sticky sweets etc.

Whatever car you buy I would recommend a stock of nappy bags (great for all occasions) and a large tub of bicarbonate of soda.