Road noises are kept to a minimum.

The Focus is a very comfy place to be, though with it's age comes a few unsightly wrinkles. These mainly include a few cheap bits of trim and some un-intuitive controls.

It is respectably quiet though, with wind and road noise kept in check. At 5"10 and 220 lbs, your correspondent found the drivers seat cozy but not cramped. Said seat is heated too- which my derriere found just lovely for a late January test week.

Handling / Powertrain / Brakes
Aside from a few minor gripes listed above, the Focus has its priorities in place. Mileage is fantastic- I achieved as low as 6.2 L / 100km- during highway driving. That's better than the Hyundai Accent I tested last year.

The 2.0 litre engine is very clean too- but it still cranks out 136 horsepower, sounds not bad and propels the Focus along with vigor. A five-speed manual transmission delivers power to the front wheels. Although the clutch is a bit vague, the shifter mechanism is slick and quick.

The ride is another well sorted out bit of work. The steering loads up nicely, has great feel, feedback and precision. Some may find it a little heavy, though its tight ratio makes corner carving a pleasure. On most roads, the ride is quiet and composed on a higher level than the price-tag suggests.

Winter tires are mandatory this time of year.

Brakes are powerful and generally well matched to the output of the engine. Careful though- as panic stops from highway speeds often saw significant tail-sliding. This would be amplified had the surface been wet or snowy. ABS is optional, and recommended.

In a nutshell
Focus's success seems attributable to its price and personality. It's certainly not hard to see that all of the important stuff in this price range is taken care of appropriately.

Particularly, its the economy, fun and style that stand out and aren't overshadowed by a few awkward controls and plasticky panels.

It's hard to say whether the new Focus will be as popular or charming as the outgoing model, having lost a few body styles and having taken on a new look.

Surely, the car will impress in its own way- though if you're after a wagon, hatchback or five-door, you haven't got a whole lot of time left to make your decision. But it's likely one you won't regret.


Fuel economy
Ride / Handling / Fun / Sporty factor
Bang for the buck
Overall sensibility


Shift light serves a purpose but annoys
Vague clutch



Interior shows age in some areas
Brake balance



Observed Mileage (Cold Weather Driving)

Average City Mileage: 11L / 100km
Average Highway Mileage: 7L / 100km
Test Average Mileage: 10L / 100km


For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.

If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.