Intro

Looks / Practicality

Engine / Performance

Driving / NVH

Verdict

Outside

Personally, I preferred the rounded shape up front of the outgoing MK7, but I can’t deny that the big central grille is quite imposing. It didn’t sit comfortably at first (the side-profile just looks like the nose has been sawn flat off), but after some time it does well bringing in an upmarket look – especially in this black that contrasts the chrome.

Seeing it in your rear view mirror confirms this! The bumper skirt is nicely chiselled too and makes the car look far sportier and lower than it is.

The rear light cluster is now different too being less monotone, but otherwise the rest of the changes are found with some new paint options and wheel designs.

Gladly, Ford changed the fuel-filler flap earlier in the year for the 2012 MK7 to one without a spring-lock, and so there’s no risk of it being stuck shut any more unlike my last MK7!

For Zetec spec we find some new 5-spoke alloys, but otherwise there is the familiar chrome window-line trim and number plate strip, with front foglights to be found.

---

Inside

The interior has undergone a more minor treatment, again in a bid to feel more upmarket. The silver plastics on the centre dash and door cards are now gloss black, and effectively makes the previous model’s look cheap and dated now.

The seats are new with a strange ripple effect, but otherwise the only change is the backlighting for the dash with a turquoise theme rather than the 90’s orange.

The Passenger Airbag On / Off light is now below the stereo where, as some used to refer to it as, ‘the secret compartment’ used to be.

The parts that have retained their silver detailing are now more convincingly metallic. The housing for the dials have lost that silver paint now too with just a metallic effect edging on the face.

The plastics lower down are still grainy and cheap but everything else at eye level is pretty good. It feels more solidly built than before and the door cards with parts from the Focus feel a lot more solid.

This model doesn’t come with bluetooth or SYNC and so it comes with the smaller screen and dated font graphics.

It’s by far the most dated part of the interior along with that trip computer.

USB appears to be standard now though and it does connect with ipods very quickly (quicker than SYNC at least!).

Otherwise it’s standard affair in here, meaning a comfortable seating position, plenty of space up front and adequate space in the rear.

It’s not deemed as the most spacious of superminis around, but there’s just about enough room here and the 5-door here is much more practical.

The boot has decent capacity but still comes without flat-folding rear seats.

---

Spec: Zetec 2013MY
Engine: 1.5 Turbo Diesel, 73bhp, 136lb ft
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Mpg: Official: 76.4mpg Achieved: 55 - 57mpg
Performance: 0-62mph: 13.5 Secs, 104mph
Colour: Panther Black