READY for yet another SUV, crossover, or whatever youβd like to call the high-riding vehicles that dominate our roads?
The latest entrant is from Ford, which is fielding its Focus Active hatch, a model that sits 34mm taller than other Foci and will arrive in Australia in the next few weeks as anΒ addition to the updated Focus Trend, ST-Line and Titanium hatches and wagons.
A tall rider is good news for elderly folk who have trouble getting in and out of cars, but Ford is pitching its new German-built Active as a crossover, and company chief Kay Hart says itβs βa great match to the active lives of Australians.β
Priced from $29,990, itβs powered by the same 134 kW/ 240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine as the rest of the range.
Thatβs a very perky output and itβs matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a rotary knob, rather than a lever, resulting in more free space.
The Active hatch also has a stop-start feature as standard and fuel economy is claimed to average 6.4 litres/ 100 km.
Standard fare includes 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear skid plates, a new-look front bumper with adaptive LED cornering foglights. And twin chromed tailpipes.
It also gets LED daytime running lights and extended black wheel arches to give it a muscly look and there are βslipperyβ and βtrailβ drive modes for such conditions.
Other electronic aids include lane keeping assist and the AEB system can spot pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles.
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Convenience items include wireless phone charging, keyless entry and push-button engine start and Fordβs Sync 3 infotainment system, which features an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Dual-zone climate control and a 180-degree split-view reversing camera are also standard.
The range starts with the Trend hatch at $25,990, followed by the ST-Line hatchΒ ($28,990) the Active hatch ($29,990), ST-Line wagon from $30,990 and the $34,490 Titanium hatch.
Β Prestige paint will cost buyers an extra $650, then thereβs the βDriver Assistance Packβ at $1250, a Design Pack for $1800 and a panorama sunroof for $2000.
The driver assistance kit comprises adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert, and is standard on the Titanium.
βThe ST-Line hatch, ST-Line wagon and Active hatch are all designed to offer greater versatility and adaptability,β Kay Hart said.
