THE Ford Focus became a firm favourite with the British car-buying public since it first hit our streets back in 1998.

In 2011 it was given a new lease of life when the third-generation model became Ford's first global car since the launch of the Model T more than 100 years before. Sold in 120 countries, it offered everything we have come to expect from the Blue Oval marque.

First of all you couldn't fail to be impressed by the sporty, yet sleek lines of the five-door hatchback, which took its design cues from its Ka and Fiesta siblings.

And it was not just the exterior which was given the full treatment, for it also saw the quality of switchgear and interior fixtures and fittings also move up a gear within the car's modern cockpit-style interior.

As with other Ford offerings, there was plenty of models to choose from within the range. Four trim levels - Edge, Zetec, Titanium and Titanuim X - were available at launch. However, it was the Zetec and Edge models which proved to be the most popular with UK owners.

The lead-in Edge came with the choice of three 1.6-litre engines - two TDCi diesel units pumping out either 94bhp or 113bhp and a 103bhp petrol. Zetec models were given the added choice of a 123bhp petrol version, while the smaller 94bhp diesel was dropped in favour of a more powerful two-litre 137bhp unit which was slotted into its place.

For the car's launch, I opted to put the 123bhp petrol Zetec through its paces. While it missed out some of the finer things in life found in the Titanium range, it was still a well-equipped, cost-effective workhorse that made it a great buy for most family needs.

In actual fact, when compared with the then outgoing entry-level Focus, the newcomer was given more than £1,000 worth of additional standard equipment for a price increase of just £500.

Those familiar with small family-sized Fords were highly impressed with just how the Focus behaved on the road.

New suspension and electric power steering combined to make the car a real gem. Steering was also right on the button, offering drivers masses of confidence when negotiating tight bends, while power assistance only kicked in when required.

Another major advance fitted to the car was the standard torque vectoring control which used the car's brakes to mimic the effects of a limited-slip differential.

The end result was that the Focus offered probably the best driving experience in its class and just like its predecessors, it was right up there pushing for the number one spot as the UK's family favourite.

As one of the UK's most popular cars, you should be able to find the exact model to suit your needs without having to look too far away from you own home patch.

A 2011 11-plate Zetec 1.6-litre petrol with around 50,000 miles on the clock will set you back from £5,040 to £6,990, while one in Edge trim will come in at between £4,730 and £6,565.

Move on a year to 2012 and a 12 plate and prices for a Zetec Focus with around 40,000 miles should come in between £5,850 to £7,960, while a similar model in Edge trim should cost between £5,475 and £7,450.