Ford Focus Review

The Ford Focus has been Ford's entry-level car since the start of the new millennium. This front-wheel-drive model is far from luxurious but nonetheless displays a surprising amount of character from behind the wheel. Its affordable price, expressive styling and availability in multiple body styles have all contributed to making this one of Ford's most popular cars worldwide.

Introduced for the 2000 model year, the Ford Focus was designed to be a "world car," meaning it has been sold around the world in the same basic form as the car sold in the United States. In order to appeal to European buyers, the Focus was tuned to provide responsive handling and communicative steering.

Since that time, Ford has gone on to introduce a second-generation Focus for European markets. America's Focus, however, has continued on relatively unchanged under the skin. As such, it hasn't been a top-tier choice for an economy car in recent years. Ford did perform a significant styling refresh for the 2008 model, however, and it's been effective enough to keep the Focus a still viable choice for a new economy car, particularly for shoppers focused mainly on value.

As a used vehicle, the Ford Focus represents a solid pick, especially since its lower resale value compared to import-brand competitors typically translates to lower purchase prices.

Current Ford Focus

The Focus is currently available as a coupe and as a sedan. The four-door is available in S, SE, SES and SEL trim levels, while the coupe comes as the SE and SES. All Focus models are powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder that offers 140 horsepower. Cars sold in California-level emission states have a cleaner version of this engine that is PZEV-certified; it's good for 130 hp. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic offered as an option.

Within its cabin, the Focus offers a reasonably attractive environment. Still, the Focus' interior doesn't quite measure up to those offered by some of its competitors, both in terms of materials quality and design aesthetic. One unique feature sets the car apart: Ford's Sync system. Developed in conjunction with Microsoft, this system allows one to operate devices such as a cell phone, PDA and MP3 player via voice commands. Other notable features, such as keyless entry, antilock brakes and stability control, come standard across all Focus trims.

Though its handling isn't as finely honed as that of the segment's performance leaders, such as the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus offers a reasonably pleasant driving experience. Additionally, fuel economy is excellent. Factor in its amenable price, and it becomes clear that the current Focus has much to offer in the area of value, if not refinement.

Used Ford Focus Models

Though it wasn't a full redesign in the traditional sense, the current-generation Ford Focus that debuted for 2008 was still noticeably more modern than the outgoing version. This generation marked the debut of a coupe body style and all-new interior and exterior styling. Motivation was provided by the 2.0-liter inline-4 making 140 hp (130 in California-emissions states) hooked up to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Originally, the trim levels included base S, midgrade SE and sporty SES for both body styles. Available on the upper trims was Ford's Sync voice-command system, an unusual high-end feature for the economy car segment.

For 2009, the coupe's styling was slightly revised (the most noticeable aspect being the deletion of the front fenders' chrome trim) and the trim levels were shuffled. Coupes were now available in SE and SES trims while the sedan came in S, SE, SES and leather-lined SEL trims. Stability control became optional this year and then standard for 2010.

When the Ford Focus debuted for 2000, it was available as a two-door hatchback (ZX3) or as a sedan (ZX4) or wagon (ZXW). The base engine was an anemic SOHC 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated for 110 hp, or a preferable DOHC 2.0-liter engine called the Zetec that was good for 130 hp. Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. These earlier Focus models went through a variety of changes, many of which are important to pay attention to if you're looking for a used Focus. In particular, Ford continually tinkered with the car's trim levels and availability of standard and optional features. From 2000-'04, the trim levels were typically base LX, midgrade SE and high-line ZTS. Antilock brakes and front-seat side airbags were optional equipment, and stability control was offered for a few years starting in 2001.

For 2002, Ford added a four-door hatchback (the "ZX5"). Starting in '04, the Focus gained an available 2.3-liter inline-4 that offered 145 hp and cleaner emissions. A 170-hp four-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission were featured in the short-lived and rare Focus SVT hatchback. Coveted by young enthusiasts, the SVT Focus was offered as a hatchback from 2002-'04. For 2005, the Focus got a more modest refresh that provided cosmetic changes on the outside, a revised control layout inside and an updated engine lineup that included either a 136-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 151 hp (sedan only). The trim levels were renamed S, SE and SES. The wagon and hatchback were dropped after the '07 model year.

Our editors were quite fond of the Ford Focus in its earlier years, and the car earned Editors' Most Wanted award designations from 2000-'03. Although we consider it a good buy on the used market, the Focus' reliability record hasn't been ideal, particularly regarding the 2000 models, which were plagued by recalls.