A Ford for every budget
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Ford builds some of the most popular cars around. Good to drive, well-equipped, affordable and reliable, it’s easy to see why Ford sells more cars in the UK than any other manufacturer.
It’s not just the experts at Auto Trader that like Fords though – our readers do too. In this round up of Ford’s key models from the past decade, the lowest Owner Review score is 4.1 out of five while the highest is 4.9.
With more than seven million used car searches and more than 50,000 Fords for sale on Auto Trader, there’s one to suit every buyer’s needs and budget.
1. Ka
Slotting in below the Fiesta, the Ka is the smallest model in Ford’s range. Its small size means it’s agile and economical, but it’s no family car as it’s too cramped . Key rivals include the Peugeot 106 and 107, Citroen C2 and Vauxhall Agila.
1996 – 2008
£500 – £6,000
The original Ka was based on the Fiesta and still looked fresh after 12 years of production. They’re still great to drive – especially in the case of the 1.6-litre SportKa, but watch out for corrosion in the sills and tailgate, while steering racks tend not to last very long.
Owner review rating: 4.2/5
“It’s a good car for a single person or couple, but not big enough for a family or a lot of shopping”. Stephanie, Birmingham
Read all Ford Ka (1996 – 2008) owner reviews
2008 –
£6,000 – £12,000
It lost the cheeky looks of its predecessor, but the second take on the Ka is much more grown up, safer and better equipped. For the first time ever a diesel model joined the range, but it’s not as much fun as the 1.2 petrol model, which is also cheaper to buy.
Owner review rating: 4.3/5
“An excellent car, with tons of character, as well as great handling and reliability”. David, Knutsford
Read all Ford Ka (2008 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford Ka | Find a new Ford Ka
2. Fiesta
Ever since it arrived in 1976 the Ford Fiesta has offered a huge amount for very little. Practical, spacious, great to drive and reliable, few cars make a better first buy. Rivals include the Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 206 and 207 plus the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo.
1995 – 2002
£500 – £2,000
The fifth-generation Fiesta now offers spectacular value for money as even low-mileage cars can be bought for little more than £1,000. Go for the 1.25 petrol model, which has a good mix of power and economy, but watch for corrosion and water leaks.
Owner review rating: 4.1/5
“Very good for new drivers, easy to drive and the visibility is great. Running costs are low with good fuel economy and cheap spares”. Sean, Chertsey
Read all Ford Fiesta (1995 – 2002) owner reviews
2002 – 2008
£1,500 – £9,000
As with all previous versions, the Fiesta introduced in 2002 offered a wide choice of engines and trim levels – our recommendations would be a high-spec model with a 1.25 petrol or 1.4 TDCi engine. Tired front suspension, water leaks and ECU faults are the most common problems.
Owner review rating: 4.5/5
“I always buy Ford Fiestas because they are so cheap to run and are reliable”. Natalie, Hemel Hempstead
Read all Ford Fiesta (2002 – 2008) owner reviews
2008 –
£6,500 – £15,000
The current Fiesta is easily the best yet with its classy interior, stylish exterior design and big-car equipment levels. Low-mileage cars are plentiful, but watch that you’re not paying over the odds and that the locks all work properly, as this is a known weakness.
Owner review rating: 4.4/5
“A must for anyone looking to save the pennies on fuel who doesn’t want to sacrifice the perks of a bigger car”. Jamie, Dalkeith
Read all Ford Fiesta (008 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford Fiesta | Find a new Ford Fiesta
3. Focus
A huge leap forward over its Escort predecessor, the original Ford Focus looked futuristic and set new standards for driving enjoyment. It was pitched squarely against the Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 306.
1998 – 2004
£500 – £5,000
It doesn’t matter whether you choose the saloon, estate or hatchback, the Focus offers a brilliant driving experience and still looks modern. There are lots to go round so there’s no need to settle for an average example, but we’d say a post-2001 TDCi model is the one to go for . Whatever you buy, check for worn rear wheelbearings and corrosion.
Owner review rating: 4.4/5
“Very nice car to drive. Reliable, stylish and cheap to run”. Lee, Bolton
Read all Ford Focus (1998 – 2004) owner reviews
2004 –
£3,000 – £30,000
It looks much like its predecessor, but the second generation Ford Focus was sleeker, better to drive, more refined and safer. Reliability is improved too, although wheelarch corrosion, leaky door seals and flat batteries can be an issue.
Owner review rating: 4.5/5
“Apart from perhaps a Golf, I can’t think of another car with such a blend of talents”. William, Chelmsford
Read all Ford Focus (2004 – ) owner reviews
2011 -
£15,000 – £23,000
Only now are the first examples of the new Ford Focus starting to appear on UK roads, and it’s definitely the best yet. Although the handling isn’t quite as sharp as before, it’s more comfortable, refined and stylish, while also coming with some impressive equipment.
Owner review rating: 4.8/5
“It handles like a dream, and feels much more spacious than the previous Focus, with a real quality feel”. Clare, High Wycombe
Read all Ford Focus (2011 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford Focus | Find a new Ford Focus
4. C-MAX
The Ford C-MAX has always been a car that put the fun back into transporting the family. Competition includes the Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic, Citroen Xsara Picasso and C3 Picasso, Vauxhall Zafira and Volkswagen Touran.
2004 – 2011
£2,000 – £17,000
With its great engines, sporty looks and excellent dynamics, the first C-MAX has huge appeal, but isn’t as versatile as it might be. Reliability is a strong suit, but it’s worth checking for tired clutches, temperamental air-con and damaged interior trim.
Owner review rating: 4.5/5
“This is probably the best car I’ve ever bought. It drives like a dream, offers value for money and is very stylish”. Stephen, Glasgow
Read all Ford Focus C-MAX (2004 – 2011) owner reviews
2011 –
£17,000 – £22,500
One of Ford’s newest stars, the new C-MAX is also available in long-wheelbase seven-seat form as the Grand C-MAX, complete with sliding rear doors for improved access. Whichever you buy you’ll love the space and versatility – we’d recommend opting for a diesel.
Owner review rating: 4.9/5
“A well-built, well-equipped family car that’s absolutely brilliant”. Richard, Bromley
Read all Ford C-MAX (2011 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford C-MAX | Find a new Ford C-MAX
5. Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo first appeared almost 20 years ago, and in that time it’s gone on to shake up the large family car market. It offers spectacular value against rivals like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Vauxhall Vectra and Insignia plus the Renault Laguna.
1993 – 2000
£300 – £1,800
The original Mondeo was the first car of the modern era for Ford. Spacious, well-equipped, supremely comfortable and cheap, family motoring comes no more affordable. Buy the newest, lowest-mileage car you can find though – high-mileage examples will have tired gearboxes.
Owner review rating: 4.3/5
“A car that works superbly as a comfortable family vehicle and it’s extremely reliable”. Kingsley, Worcester
Read all Ford Mondeo (1993 – 2000) owner reviews
2000 – 2007
£1,000 – £8,500
Looking much more modern than its predecessor, the 2000 Mondeo offers improved build quality, even better levels of standard equipment and some great diesel engines – we’d recommend the 2-litre or 2-litre TDCi engines. Look for corroded doors and brake pipe,s plus worn suspension bushes.
Owner review rating: 4.5/5
“Reliability is second to none, fuel comsumption is great, the car is smooth to drive and has plenty of space for a family”. Julia, West Malling
Read all Ford Mondeo (2000 – 2007) owner reviews
2007 –
£5,500 – £25,000
Just as with the first two editions, the current Mondeo comes in saloon, hatchback or estate forms. Much bigger than the Mk2 Mondeo, the newest version is easy to recommend for its refinement, good looks and impressive standard equipment levels, but air-con systems can fail and some bits of interior trim can get damaged all too easily.
Owner review rating: 4.5/5
“The car is an absolute pleasure to drive and is extremely well screwed together”. Robert, Wirral
Read all Ford Mondeo (2007 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford Mondeo | Find a new Ford Mondeo
6. Kuga
Ford was later than most to launch a compact 4×4, but the Kuga was worth waiting for. It set new standards for driving enjoyment and equipment levels. Key rivals include the Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V and Nissan Qashqai.
2008 –
£14,000 – £30,000
Ford initially offered only a 2-litre diesel engine, but a 2.5-litre petrol unit arrived later – the latter isn’t very efficient and is costly to tax, so if running costs are a priority for you then it’s best to opt for the more frugal diesel option. Buy a high-spec 2.0TDCi that’s been cared for and you’ll love every minute of ownership.
Owner review rating: 4.8/5
“Fantastic to drive and a formidable tow vehicle. Sevicing and running costs are reasonable too”. Chris, Ramsgate
Read all Ford Kuga (2008 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford Kuga | Find a new Ford Kuga
7. S-MAX
Until the Ford S-MAX, people carriers were as dull to drive as they were to look at. Ford changed that, with a spacious and versatile seven-seater that knocks spots off rivals like the Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso, Vauxhall Zafira and Renault Grand Scenic.
2006 –
£6,500 – £30,000
Almost as big as the Galaxy, but with a lower roof line and less space for the third row of rear seats, the S-Max doesn’t feel like an MPV at all, to drive. Voted Car of the Year in 2007, the S-MAX is a superb all-rounder, but tyres wear quickly and the electrics can play up.
Owner review rating: 4.3/5
“It feels and handles like a car, but is spacious enough for five adults and two children. It has plenty of power yet is very economical”. Guy, King’s Lynn
Read all Ford S-MAX (2006 – ) owner reviews
Find a used Ford S-MAX | Find a new Ford S-MAX
8. Galaxy
Ever since Ford introduced the first Galaxy, it’s been the UK’s best-selling people-carrier almost continuously. With enormous levels of practicality and versatility it’s easy to see why – rivals such as the Kia Sedona, Chrysler Grand Voyager and Renault Espace struggle to keep up.
1995 – 2006
£750 – £9,000
The first Galaxy was also badged as the Seat Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan. It doesn’t feel like an MPV to drive, but that’s partly because it’s rather small for a full-sized seven-seater MPV. Early cars are very cheap but invariably unreliable, so buy a post-2000 facelifted car as it’ll ultimately be cheaper.
Owner review rating: 4.3/5
“A very reliable car, perfect for families, nice to drive and safe”. Karl, Beverley
Read all Ford Galaxy (1995 – 2006) owner reviews
2006 -
£8,500 – £30,000
The Galaxy promises much – and delivers it too. It’s big though, so make sure the S-Max wouldn’t suit you better. Before buying also check that the electrics all work, that the interior trim is intact and that the steering feels right – problems are common.
Owner review rating: 4.4/5
“This really is a great car with tons of room, it’s very comfortable, surprisingly agile and economical”. Duncan, Banchory
Read all Ford Galaxy (2006 – ) owner reviews