Currently one of our fleet is a 10 plate 1.6 zetec Focus which we will shortly sell as looking for something bigger and ,yes, quieter! Road noise is intrusive at motorway speeds and broken surfaces. However, it's a decent enough car and averages 40 mpg. A few months ago I soundproofed the boot area and wheelarches, which to be honest made no difference at all!

A few years ago, I ran an 05 Mk2 which again was noisy, possibly more so. This later one is a nicer place to be, but not as nice as my 06 Corolla which manages to do everything the Focus does in a much more refined manner.

I have driven the latest shape Focus and that is much more refined, a different car, altogether, but isn't cheap and I think there are more refined, all rounders for similar money. I reckon the next size up may be a beeter bet for overall refinement.

I suspect it has to do with which version (mk2, mk3 etc) you're looking at - my Mazda3 mk1 has much less soundproofing than the mk1 facelift (2006 06 models) imporved on both noise dampening and ride quality, the same again for the mk2.

Its probably best to check which version (mark) of the Mondeo was available at the same time as the Focus within your price range - a faclifted version might have better ride quality/sound-proofing.

I've had a pre-08 Focus and post-08 Focus (which I still have). There is a noticeable difference in internal noise, the post-08 updated version has more sound insulation and a few tweaks were made to the suspension on some models. Wind noise isn't really much of an issue on the post-08 version; however, noise of this type can be subjective so the best thing is to drive one to see how you find it.

Tyres are an issue, I found Bridgestone ER30 that came with the car utterly hopeless, noisy & hard ride. I find Goodyear Excellence 205/55/16 offer a significantly quieter & more comfortable ride; other drivers have found other brands work well for the Focus mk2.

All sports suspension models have a hard ride; the standard suspension is much more compliant and easy to live with.

Road noise is still noticeable on the post-08 model especially on rough surfaces but definitely less than the pre-08 version. The latest Focus mk3 offers a quieter and more comfortable ride.

Also on the Focus mk2 wheel size is a major factor, 17" or 18" have lower profile tyres which result in more road noise being transmitted into the cabin whilst at the same time ride comfort is adversely affected.

There are quieter cars around than the Focus mk2, for example, the latest Astra with 16" wheels is very comfortable and quiet (petrol engine), much more so than a Focus mk2 pre/post-08.

Best to try a few test drives in the models that interest you.

Unfortunately the latest Astra far exceeds my budget, so my only option is to buy a used (older) car. Your post definitely clears up what I read in various places about the facelift version having superior soundproofing compared to the previous one and you have actually driven both. The wind noise was my main concern, as with the tyres and road noise there is room for improvement (16 inch wheels, Goodyear Excellence, Michelin Energy, Kumho KU31 so far).

Edited by floyd86 on 19/01/2013 at 08:32

What did you end up with TB?

Kia Ceed SW. When we went for a test drive we were not expecting miracles since the pre-facelift ones got bad press for tyre noise but the post facelift one we got is absolutely fine, in truth we only decided to try it since the car was the right size and the right price (but then again another C-Max fitted those criteria). There is no wind noise despite it having roof rails and big door mirrors and the tyre noise on the Michelin Primacys is not bad at all although some owners have commented that changing to other brands has improved the car quite a bit.

Bottom line is simple, in the C-Max me and the Mrs struggled to hear each other on the motorway (no bad thing) but in the Ceed conversation is easy. After an 8 hour plus holiday drive we get to our destination feeling much fresher.