Ford Australia confirms Focus Active for 2019

Ford has confirmed that the raised version of the 2019 Ford Focus, itself due on sale within weeks, will go on sale in Australia in 2019. The 2019 Ford Focus Active will be priced from $29,990 plus on-road costs (drive away figure currently unavailable) when it goes on sale next year – though more specific timing is yet to be announced.

Competing mostly against the Subaru XV and Nissan Qashqai, the Active is the first time Ford has applied a raised stance to the Focus range, and although it remains front-wheel drive, is expected to earn buyers looking for a more rugged car.

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

“The German-sourced Focus range now offers new variants including the ST-Line hatch, ST-Line wagon and Active hatch, all designed to offer greater versatility and adaptability.”

Essentially a raised version of the standard Focus hatchback, the Focus Active offers more choice to consumers in the hatchback and small SUV classes. Priced from $29,990 plus on-road costs, the Focus Active is based on the mid-spec Focus ST-Line, though instead of lowered suspension, it’s raised by 34mm and redesigned front and rear bumpers with skid plates give more of an off-road look than the standard Focus.

Based on the same C2 platform as the regular Focus, Ford claims that the car’s driving dynamics are better than ever, thanks to a 20 percent improvement in torsion rigidity compared with the previous model, and an increase of individual suspension point stiffness by up to 50 percent. This means that the new Focus has less body flex for superior body control, and offers an “energetic, engaging and rewarding fun-to-drive experience with impressive cabin refinement.”

Using the same 134kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as the rest of the Focus range, as well as the same eight-speed automatic transmission, the claimed fuel consumption for the Focus Active is listed as 6.4L/100km. The Active adds two extra driving modes to the regular model’s Normal, Eco and Sport modes – Slippery and Trail are part of the Active standard feature list.

Standard equipment for the Focus Active is similar to the Focus ST-Line, which offers autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic headlights and wipers with LED cornering front foglamps.

Like the Focus ST-Line, a few options are available for the Focus Active including an $1,800 Design Pack with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beam and rear privacy glass. A $1,250 Driver Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with rear AEB and lane keep assist is also available, as is a $2,000 panoramic glass sunroof and $650 premium paint.

2019 Ford Focus pricing (plus on-road costs):  
Trend hatch: $25,990
ST-Line hatch: $28,990
Active hatch: $29,990
ST-Line wagon: $30,990
Titanium hatch: $34,490