Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 155 MHEV St-line Vignale auto

THERE WERE TWO cars in the running for the 1400-1549kg weight class. The Ford Focus just lost out to the Seat Ateca, but it is a deserving winner of the Best Estate Car award.

With a healthy 575-litre capacity (in models with a space-saver spare wheel), the Focus Estate easily had room for our load of luggage. Compared with the SUVS in the same weight category, the low floor and absence of a load lip made filling the boot quick and easy, while the Focus earned extra points for its readily accessible electrical socket.

Hitch up a caravan and you’ll find the Focus Estate reassuringly stable. It was secure at 60mph and felt much the same travelling 10mph faster. In the lane change test, the Focus quickly pulled its caravan straight again if it started to slide, with quick steering helping as the driver made any corrections.

The mild hybrid petrol engine provides strong acceleration, getting car and caravan from 30-60mph in 10.8sec, although a little less engine noise would be welcome. The Focus stops even better than it goes, with good feel through the brake pedal and a short stopping distance from 30mph of just 9.7m.

In day-to-day driving, the latest Focus builds on its usual strength of appealing to keen drivers, with nimble handling and a firm but well-controlled ride. It’s a car you’ll really enjoy driving on a favourite country road.

St-line Vignale spec is relatively expensive, although you do get a lot of kit for your money. If £31,500 is a bit steep, you can have the same engine and gearbox for considerably less if you forgo a few toys.