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Ford Focus Review - What the Auto Press Says

The 2012 Ford Focus ranks 2 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 41 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Focus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Ford Focus is completely redesigned for the 2012 model year. Reviewers find the Focus’ exterior and interior changes impressive, and also think performance has improved.

The Ford Focus was popular and well-liked when it debuted in 2000, but over time the competition improved, and the Focus lost its appeal. About twelve years later, Ford has revamped the Focus from the inside out to take on the competition. The interior was one of the first things to change, now featuring more high tech options. The 2012 Focus gets MyKey and MyFord, two features that are available on other models like the Ford Edge. MyFord integrates entertainment, navigation and communication into a touch screen console. MyKey is a safety feature that restricts vehicle speed and stereo volume while your teen drives.

The industry is also excited about the Focus’s standard torque vectoring control – a first for a car in this class. Torque vectoring control increases vehicle stability by adding brake force to wheels on one side during turns, and is a great feature for driving enthusiasts.

The Focus also got a lot of exterior updates, and the industry is very pleased with the changes. The newest Focus looks sportier and more aggressive than older models and falls in line with the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta.

Reviewers love the changes on the new Ford Focus, and think it's a wise pick for any small car shopper. But there are lot of great cars in the class, and test drivers think it's a good idea check the competition first.

Other Cars to Consider

Among affordable hatchbacks, there’s the Honda Fit, which is regarded as one of the roomiest and most utilitarian hatches on the market. The Fit is also less expensive than the Focus. Combined, the Fit’s utility and value earned it our Best Hatchback for the Money award. If you’re deciding between the two, the Honda Fit is your best bet if you need one of the best combinations of affordability and utility.

Budget-minded consumers that value performance should test drive the Mazda3, which is also available as a five-door hatchback. The Mazda3 is fun to drive and less expensive than the Focus. This year, the Mazda has new engine with good performance and great fuel economy that reviewers love.

Details: 2012 Ford Focus

Ford has redesigned the Focus for the 2012 model year. The new Focus is available as a sedan or hatchback. The sedan comes with basics like an audio system with an AM/FM radio, single-disc CD player and MP3 capability, an auxiliary input jack and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The sedan is available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and Titanium. The five-door hatchback includes a few more standard features like MyKey. The hatchback comes in three trims: SE, SEL and Titanium.

See the full list of 2012 Ford Focus specs.

• "Even though it's been tweaked and tuned for the U.S.-market, much of that was done by teams overseas. So it's the real deal, replete with the fully independent rear suspension, and that, of course, means it's the handler of the class." -- Automobile Magazine
• "The Focus has the makings of a runaway hit. It's a bit smaller inside than its recently released competitors, but is otherwise a well-rounded package, with styling challenged only by the Elantra and dynamics that can take on anything in the compact class." -- Cars.com
• "And with available goodies like MyFord Touch and a hatchback body style, the Focus also delivers a little extra usability than either of those offerings. If you're willing to give up a few miles per gallon for a few extra giggles per apex, it's hard to do better than the Focus." -- Autoblog

Focus Performance - 8.4 (Very Good)

The 2012 Ford Focus doesn't have ground-breaking performance, but reviewers do say it’s a more fun to drive than earlier generations. For a better performer, reviewers suggest the Mazda3. Read More

Focus Exterior - 8.5 (Very Good)

No reviewers have quibbles with the Focus' new look, and say the 2012 Focus quite attractive. Of the two models, test drivers prefer the hatchback because it is sportier and more aggressive looking. View Photos

Focus Interior - 7.4 (Good)

The 2012 Ford Focus has a nice interior, but reviewers don’t think it stands out in the class. Read More

Focus Safety - 9.4 (Excellent)

The 2012 Ford Focus receives very good scores from the federal government and the insurance industry. Read More

Focus Reliability - 3.5 of 5

The 2012 Ford Focus reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. Ford covers the 2012 Focus with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Read More