Acceleration ranks as modest. The ZX4 ST's 2.3-liter has adequate low-rpm power, with immediate throttle response. The standard 2.0-liter engine offers only adequate power for highway merging or ascending long grades. An automatic transmission dulls off-the-line snap, but Ford's manual transmission has smooth clutch and shifter action. Fuel economy is a bonus. A Focus ZX4 ST, with its larger engine, averaged 20.5 mpg in exclusively city driving. Ride comfort depends on the model. The ST's sport suspension yields a firm but impressively compliant ride. Other models are somewhat softer than the ST, with less thumping over bumps, as in many European cars. However, they also feel less stable at highway speeds. An ST offers communicative steering, with good grip and well-controlled body lean in fast turns. Braking is strong and stable. Other models, with their softer suspensions, are a shade less agile. Don't expect silent running. An ST exhibits little road rumble, but tires slap intrusively over sharp ridges and its sporty exhaust note gets loud under acceleration. All models exhibit noticeable wind rush around front side windows. Redesigned for 2005, the well-arranged dashboard is more conventional in layout, and retains fine functionality. Gauges are easy to read. Controls fall readily to hand and are mostly intuitive. Cabin materials and workmanship are good in this price segment. Front seats are comfortable and supportive. Comfortably upright seating on chairlike cushions is accompanied by outstanding headroom. Leg space is fine for this class. ST and SES trim levels have a tilt/telescoping steering wheel for an extra measure of driver comfort. Large door openings assist entry/exit. Focus provides better rear head and legroom than most compacts, though the sunroof's housing reduces headspace. Two-door models have difficult rear-seat entry/exit. It's easier on four-door models, though their rear doors should really open wider. Sedan trunk lids use space-saving strut-type hinges that don't intrude into the luggage area. All body types, wagons and hatchbacks in particular, have generous cargo holds with low liftovers, though the available premium stereo subwoofer eats up trunk space. Standard split folding rear seatbacks are a welcome feature for versatility. Abundant and useful interior storage space includes a six-CD holder in the dashboard, plus a roof console in non-sunroof models.

Value for the Money
Focus is fun to drive in any form, but especially in enthusiast-oriented ST trim. Though it's not as refined as a Volkswagen Jetta or as outright sporty as Mazda 3, Focus measures up well overall, and has been very competitively priced. An array of body styles and useful options (if installed) can enhance its appeal. Still, it's an aging design that makes do with head-protecting front side airbags rather than the curtain airbags that have become the norm on newer compacts.