I'LL BEGIN this week's road test by declaring an interest. I have, in an article I wrote for The Champion last year, argued Ford's Focus is the world's best car.
It might not be the most exotic motor you'll ever come across, but the Blue Oval's big seller has always done absolutely everything either brilliantly or at least very well, so it's no wonder you see so many of them on Britain's streets. Unfortunately, it also means Ford's third generation of the mid-sized hatchback has some very high expectations to live up to. Yours.
On looks alone it's off to a good start, because while the last Focus drew criticism for its conservative styling the new arrival's much more exciting, offering up lots of edgy angles and swoops in the body details. Subtle it isn't, but you couldn't ever accuse it of being boring.
Inside it's instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with the current Fiesta, with the chrome embellishents of the steering wheel especially similar. It's a comfy, well-presented place to be, although like its smaller sibling I found the control panel for the entertainment system a little too fussy for my liking.
The third Focus, particularly when you get out onto the road, feels like a Fiesta at 1.5x scale, but don't let that put you off because that means it's a smooth and straightforward car to drive that just happens to be a tidy handler. Paradoxically it's bigger than the old Focus - particularly in terms of interior space - but it feels smaller and hence sportier.
Should you buy the same car you know half your neighbours are going to buy? I would, because the latest Focus shows it hasn't forgotten how to make safe, sensible cars which just happen to be fun to drive, even if it isn't the image-conscious choice. If it's the 1.6 TDCi version I tried, with 115bhp, you've got practicality, pace and panache in one handy package.
Amazingly, Ford has done it again.