Ford has revealed a new high-riding SUV-style Active version of its fourth-generation Focus that will join the Fiesta Active and Ka+ Active models that have already been launched.

The Focus Active sits 30mm higher than the standard car to offer a more elevated ground clearance should the worst happen and the car need to go off-road. There are protective black mouldings on the wheel arches, as well as front and rear skid plates and rocker inserts painted in contrasting silver. 

Ford says that it has worked hard to try and engineer the Active model with the same Focus ‘feel’ that you’d find on other models in the range, despite the higher centre of gravity.

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2018 Ford Focus

The front end of the car also features a slightly different design to the rest of the range, in the same way that the Vignale and ST-Line models also feature bumpers that subtly communicate the cars’ differing uses.

Ford says that the interior of the new Active version of the Focus has been designed to feature more hard-wearing materials to go along with the more active lifestyle it expects that the car’s owners will enjoy. 

The SUV segment of the market is really booming, and Ford expects that more than a third of new car sales will SUV within the next couple of years. Owners have become drawn to the higher driving position, sense of safety and occasionally even the added practicality of running an SUV. 

The Active won’t be available in the UK until the first quarter of 2019, so precise details about the car’s pricing and specification aren’t available, but expect the car to be sold at a premium over the standard model. 

Gallery: 2019 Ford Focus Active revealed