Ford Focus gets dirty with Active crossover

Ford has announced plans to launch a high-riding version of its latest Focus hatchback, to be known as the Active, in Australia early-to-mid 2019. It’s a first for the Ford Focus range, and it mimics the offroad-esque chops of cars like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, Subaru’s XV and even the unusual Infiniti QX30.

Overseas, Ford has Active variants of a number of models, including the recently retired Fiesta. Ford says the Focus Active makes the most sense for Australia.

“The Ford Focus Active is a strong addition to the line-up, and a great addition to the active lives of Australians,” said new Ford Australia boss, New Zealand-born Kay Hart.

Sourced from Germany, the Ford Focus Active sits 34mm higher off the ground than a regular Focus hatch. Ford has added a couple of extra settings to its drive mode system to cope with less ideal conditions. These include Slippery Mode for ice and snow and a Trail Mode for softer surfaces like sand and dirt.

There’s also a pair of skid plates under the nose and tail, as well as the obligatory black plastic overarches that complement bespoke front and rear bumpers for the Active.

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That’s where the off-road leanings end, though. The Active is a front-drive proposition only, and is powered by the same 134kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine as the rest of the all-new Ford Focus line-up.

There’s only one gearbox on offer, and that’s an eight-speed torque-converting automatic.

The Ford Focus Active has plenty of standard kit, including 17-inch rims, satnav, smart phone mirroring, dual-zone air, Ford’s clever MyKey programmable keyless entry system, ISOFIX baby seat mounts, and auto lights and wipers.

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If you want 18-inch alloy wheels, LED foglights, tinted glass and adaptive headlights, you’ll need to find an extra $1800. There’s also a panoramic roof option for $2000 and self-parking for another grand.

The Active’s standard safety kit is strong, with pedestrian- and cyclist-detecting AEB standard, along with lane departure warning and a 180-degree view rear camera. Spend $1250 more and you’ll get stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with rear-cross traffic alert and lane-centring steering.

At $29,990 (before on roads), the Ford Focus Active will drop right into the middle of the new Focus line-up, which comprises the $25,990 entry level Trend, $28,990 ST-Line and $30,990 ST-Line wagon, and the range-topping Titanium at $34,490.