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Ford Focus - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Ford Focus ranks 11 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 44 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Focus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Car writers like the Focus' innovative infotainment SYNC system and are pleased with the car's performance. But the Focus also has an uninspiring exterior design and a cramped second row, leading many to recommend you keep your options open.

The 2009 Ford Focus is stable on the highway, has plenty of cargo space and is at the forefront of cabin technology for this segment. So why don't more reviewers have positive things to say about it? The average auto writers' short list of complaints about the Focus include its nerdy design and a tuna can-sized second row. According to our analysis, the Focus overall is an improvement over previous models, but not as good as other compacts. You might want to have a short list of other cars to test drive.

One of those cars could be the Honda Fit. Even though the Fit has had a futuristic head-turning design since its introduction, the 2009 model looks even more distinctive. Auto critics also like the Fit's spacious and configurable seating. In addition, the Fit's overall value and expected total cost over time helped earn it one of U.S. News Best Car for the Money Awards.

Still, the Focus is a good alternative to more expensive foreign cars. It had an extensive refresh for the 2008 model year, so the sedan carries over relatively unchanged. The upcoming 2009 Ford Focus coupe should sport a slightly new style, including a lower front end, new wheels and a roof mounted spoiler. The sedan comes in four trims -- the S, SE, SES and SEL. Auto writers speculate that the 2010 Focus will be available soon as a carryover from 2009.

Be sure to check for current Ford Deals that may be available on a new Focus.

• "The new Focus arrives just in time to fit nicely in the growing market for small, economical, competitively priced and refined economy cars." -- Chicago Sun-Times
• "I couldn't help thinking that Ford has really killed all the funky fun of the Focus. Gone is the unique exterior and interior styling. ... Sure, the new Focus goes down the road with a decent level of refinement, but where did the fun go?" -- Automobile Magazine
• "A fun car that offers good gas mileage is what everybody needs a little of right now. The 2009 Ford Focus coupe has big strengths and a right price." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
• "It's more solid and drives like a larger car. But it lacks personality and isn't ever particularly engaging. To torture a sports analogy, it's less a touchdown than a badly needed first down. In this junior league, the Mazda 3 and the new Subaru Impreza may well rain on the Focus's homecoming parade." -- Car and Driver
• "Focus feels dated and less refined compared with cars such as the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa. Still, front-seat room and comfort impress, and pricing is impressive. ... Overall the Focus is worth a look, but be sure to scout the competition as well." -- Consumer Guide
• "The reconstituted Focus forges no new ground and isn't the match of the class-leading Civic in any way." -- Motor Trend
• "The 2009 Ford Focus is a good value, but those in the market for a refined compact sedan or performance-oriented coupe should look elsewhere." -- Edmunds

Focus Performance - 7.6 (Good)

Test drivers find the 2009 Ford Focus' power is sufficient for the needs of most drivers, and its ride quality, steering and braking are especially polished. Still, as Edmunds notes, the car "will get you where you want to go, but the driving experience is not particularly special." In fact, Car and Driver says "much of the competition offers a superior driving experience."  continue

Focus Exterior - 7.0 (Good)

Auto writers don't mince words -- the Ford Focus' restyled exterior falls flat. Really flat. "I can't get past the look of the new Focus, particularly in coupe form," Automobile Magazine says. "I liked the way the old hatchback looked, but this car looks like a joke." continue

Focus Interior - 7.7 (Good)

Plenty of reviewers praise the Focus' stand-out feature -- the SYNC infotainment system, but find it's not a compelling enough feature to compete with the more refined and comfortable interiors of other compact cars. Edmunds reports, "Compared to other small cars ... the Focus' interior is nothing special in terms of design and materials, even with the optional aluminum-like trim highlights and colored interior lighting." continue

Focus Safety - 9.2 (Excellent)

The 2009 Ford Focus gets fairly good scores in both federal government and insurance industry crash tests. continue

Focus Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2009 Ford Focus reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Focus' bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for three-years or 36,000 miles, with powertrain coverage provided for the first five-years or 60,000 miles. continue