Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is a car created and constructed by the Ford Motor Company. The original version was released in 1998, and was preceded by the Ford Laser. As of 2010, the Ford Focus is now in the third generation, and as of 2012, the Focus is the world’s best selling automobile nameplate, surpassing the Toyota Corolla. The Focus is designed to meet the demands of customers who want small cars. It is affordable but also attractive, fun, and well-equipped.

Performance

The Ford Focus’ performance was given an 8.2 rating by U.S. News. It comes with a five-speed manual transmission, while customers have the option of adding a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. One reviewer said the sound was an extremely satisfying part of the driving experience, as the engine’s intake is amplified by a specially designed active sound tube. This gives the engine a very distinctive growl. Critics are also very impressed with the Focus’ handling abilities. The 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine gives the Focus 160 horsepower, but there is minimal body lean and the car has been called responsive and sporty by reviewers. It comes with AdvanceTrac ESC with ABS braking system. The Focus ST model has a 2.0-liter, turbocharger four-cylinder engine with 252-horsepower, but does not offer an automatic transmission.

Interior

Reviewers have said the Focus’ interior is on par for its price point and class. It was given a 7.0 ranking by U.S. News, which was the worst ranking the Focus received by U.S. News. While the interior quality is good, and the seats are comfortable enough, there is not much space. The car seats five and offers leather-trimmed seats. The front seats have heating options, and the driver’s seat is power-adjustable. The backseats do not have much headroom, and compared to other similar models, the legroom is lacking. The Focus comes with a four-speaker stereo and offers an auxiliary input jack. The Focus also has 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which is good for its class, but less than some of its rivals.

Pros/Cons

The MyKey feature allows for parents to control the maximum speed and audio volume. For example, they can limit the speed to no more than 80 mph. This is an excellent feature for parents who have teenage kids who may be tempted to drive extremely fast, putting the car and themselves at risk. The system also chimes when the car reaches 45, 55, and 65 miles per hour. This helps remind drivers of their speed. The Focus has excellent steering and handling, and is good on fuel. Some critics have complained that the interior controls are confusing however, and that it takes a lot of practice to understand how to use them properly. The audio controls are also cluttered, and there is not much interior storage space available.

Other Features

The MyKey feature is a very cool safety device. It allows drivers to restrict top speeds and limit how loud the audio system goes. The Focus’ safety features were given a 9.4 by U.S. News. Other safety features include 4-wheel ABS, child safety locks, emergency trunk release, rear head and rear body air bags, and traction control. The Focus offers 26 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg for highway driving. On Ford’s corporate website, the Focus’ MSRP is listed as $23 700. It can be found from other places for as low as $18 000, however. In general, customers should expect to spend between $18 000-$24 000 depending on how many features they add.