Ford Focus rental in Melbourne

A small car that suits freeway commuting

The Focus is a good fit for renters whose week includes a lot of freeway time, for example a daily run from Dandenong into the city or out along the Princes Freeway. Turbocharged engines give it adequate pulling power at highway speeds without a large engine, and it has a conventional geared automatic.

Running costs

The Green Vehicle Guide lists two recent generations:

• LZ Focus (listed from 2015): 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo with a six-speed automatic, 6.2 L/100km combined for the Trend and Sport, 6.4 for the Titanium. Listed on 91 RON regular unleaded.
• SA Focus (listed from 2018): 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo with an eight-speed automatic, 6.4 L/100km for the Trend, Titanium, ST-Line and Active. Listed on 95 RON premium unleaded.

The 2018 Focus Ambiente, the entry grade, uses a non-turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder with a six-speed automatic and is listed at 6.9 L/100km. Fuel grade is the bigger running-cost difference between the generations, so check the label inside the fuel flap.

Practical points

• Seats: five, with room for two adults in the rear.
• Hatch or sedan: the Green Vehicle Guide lists both body styles for the LZ and SA generations, with the same fuel ratings. Each listing states which one it is.
• Rideshare: eligibility depends on the specific car's age and rating under Uber's current Melbourne requirements, which include ANCAP 5-star and a 15-year maximum age for UberX.

Renting one

Weekly rent and bond are shown for each Focus below. We accept P-plates for the rental itself (Uber asks its drivers for a full licence held 6 months), and pickup is from Dandenong South.