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Ford will add a new Focus Active crossover SUV to its range in January next year.

It will be available in five-door hatchback or estate body styles, and features more rugged exterior styling and a raised ride height. 

Prices will start from £21,900. 

The Focus Active will be available with a 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engines delivering up to 182PS, and 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines delivering up to 150PS. 

The 120PS 1.5-litre diesel is the most efficient, with CO2 emissions from 93g/km and average fuel consumption of 62.8mpg. 

Ford SUV sales grew more than 19% in October year-on-year and SUVs now account for more than one in five Ford vehicles sold in Europe. 

Roelant de Waard, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe, said: “Our Active family of crossover models offers a further compelling SUV-style option for customers." 

The Focus Active is the third in Ford’s new family of Active crossover models, following the introduction of the Fiesta Active and KA+ Active models earlier this year. 

Two new drive modes have been added to the Focus Active. Slippery mode adjusts ESC and traction control settings for increased confidence on surfaces with reduced grip such as mud, snow and ice. 

Trail mode helps maintain momentum on soft surfaces such as sand. 

Accessing the load area is simplified using Ford’s Hands-free tailgate system that allows access to the estate boot space with a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper. 

The eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

New FordPass Connect onboard modem technology for the Focus provides a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices.