Ford Focus CC

Our verdict

A strange idea the whole coupe/cabrio thing, but the Ford Focus CC is possibly the least offensive example. Italian styling house Pininfarina had a hand in it, so it looks less clumsy than some.

Comfort

Anything with a soft top is bound to lose a little of the airtight refinement of its fixed-head forbears, and the extra rigidity required to firm up the chassis usually impinges on ride quality. That said, you'd be hard-pushed to notice in the Focus CC.

Performance

Not quick, these CCs, but instead just brisk. Get the 2.0-litre diesel for a grand or so more than the petrol. It's as fast to 60mph but with bags more torque for lazy, top-down cruising.

Cool

Unequivocally no, the Focus CC is not cool. Convertibles seldom are, folding tin-tops almost never. This is a car for female retirees, none of whom is reading this.

Quality

No complaints here. The CC is subject to the same standards as any other Focus. It may not quite be on a par with the Volkswagen Eos, but it's not plagued by squeaks or rattles.

Handling

Although a long way from the taut and responsive chassis of the normal Focus, the CC drives reasonably well in and out of bends and doesn't shake like a fairground ride.

Practicality

All cars with folding hard tops have a shared Achilles' heel. The roof stows awkwardly behind the seats, taking up most of the boot in the process. Roof up, no problem.Roof down, just bring your toothbrush.

Running costs

Cabriolet status makes the Focus CC more expensive to insure than you might expect from a car like this, and its mpg suffers due to increased kerbweight. But we're talking steps, not leaps.