In the past I have driven the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol Focus. The 1.6 was a slug, the 1.8 was much better.

However, since you say you are doing a fair amount of motorway miles a diesel would probably be better but I would not buy a diesel Focus even though we had a 1.6 TDCi for 5 trouble free years. A 2009 1.6 TDCi has DPF which requires expensive Eolys top ups and although the 1.8 TDCi does not we found it to be very unrefined and slow.

My choice based on recent experience would be a Kia Ceed. We have had a 1.6 CRDi for just over 3 years now and its been totally fault free. Providing the car was registered before August 2010 it will not have a DPF (between September 2010 and Jan 2011 its a 50 - 50 chance). They normally sell for about the same prices as the Focus but since they come with a 7 year warranty providing you get one with full service history (preferably main dealer) you will still be able to benefit from that if needed for a couple of years.

Have a look and a drive, we were surprised and still remain happy with our choice.

Edited by skidpan on 29/10/2013 at 11:18

Im looking to buy a 2008/9 petrol focus. I currently have a I.6 Astra but do a fair amount of motorway driving so was thinking about a I.8 Focus. Are there substantial advantages in the I.8 over the I.6?

I do plenty of motorway miles in my 1.6. It's fine when I'm on my own but when I have more than 2 passengers it struggles somewhat.

As always with questions like this, it depends on the type of driving that you're going to do.

If you normally drive quite slowly, or mostly in towns, then the smaller engine will do fine. But if your motoring is more varied and you like to get a move on, go for the bigger engine. You won't need as much throttle opening to make decent progress, so that there will be little if any penalty with fuel consumption.