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Base prices range from $16,500 to $22,700
Mileage ranges from 26 miles per gallon in the city to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
What it is: A sporty compact that will save you money on gas while still providing a few thrills.
Whats worth knowing: Like G.M. and Chrysler, Ford neglected the bottom end of its lineup for years, while putting most of its effort into SUVs and trucks. The first convincing sign of a small-car revamp was the popular and stylish Ford Fiesta, a subcompact introduced in 2010. The Focus had been a bland, workmanlike economy car until 2011, when Ford introduced a redesigned version, based on a model sold in Europe, thats been a hit with buyers and reviewers.
Who its for: Budget-minded drivers willing to pay a few extra bucks for a bit of pizzazz and the latest electronics.
Whats good: The Focus is a hoot to drive, with handsome styling and crisp cornering that benefits from torque-vectoring technology usually found on costlier cars. The cabin has the feel of a cockpit, with an edgy, V-shaped center stack that helps you imagine youre at the helm of a fancier machine. Mileage is good, for a car with decent pickup. The Focus is available as a traditional sedan and also as a hatchback, for those who appreciate the added cargo space and versatility of a five-door.
Whats bad: Ordinary drivers may not notice, but some reviewers, fixated on performance, have complained about a minor lag in acceleration on models equipped with the automatic transmission, which has dual-clutch technology meant to improve gas mileage by subtly holding back on the throttle at certain points. One solution for drivers who care about 0-to-60 time is to stick with the 5-speed manual thats standard on lower trim lines. Buyers should also be wary of advanced electronic options such as Sync, MyFord and MyKey, which offer many customization choices but can overcomplicate the controls.
How it stacks up: For spirited driving, the Focus is comparable to the Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Golf, generally considered the sportiest compacts. Buyers should also compare the Focus to the Chevrolet Cruze and the Hyundai Elantra, which offer a lot of upscale features for the money. Since the Focus is a new model, its not yet known whether it will be as reliable as standbys such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.
What to do if you want one: During a test drive, make sure that dual-clutch acceleration lag doesnt bother you. And spin through all the electronic options before deciding whether to spend extra for them.
Rick Newman is the Chief Business Correspondent for U.S. News & World Report and a longtime car buff. He reviews automobiles here on a regular basis, as well as writing about all things vehicular.
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