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Unlike newer competitors
like the Dodge Caliber and Chevrolet HHR, the Focus doesn’t try to disguise
the fact that it is a station wagon. And Ford has done little to disguise the
fact that the Focus has been on sale in this country with only minor changes
since 2000. If the Focus had not been so well executed from the start, it
would not have lasted six full model years with enough staying power to keep
going into the seventh, which it has and will. And it still has an unmatched
ride/handling compromise in a compact car, one of the roomiest interiors for
passengers and (depending on the actual specs of the Mazda5) the roomiest for
cargo. The Focus is a conventional wagon without distracting styling cues that
could possibly limit its function, and it is splendidly executed. It doesn’t
have the latest safety equipment, it’s not the most powerful or refined here,
and its interior could use yet another upgrade, but it is an excellent vehicle
in almost every way, and is one of the least expensive cars in this group. It
is the unquestionable class leader.
The Focus ZXW has a firm, comfortable,
absorbent, and very well-controlled ride. It never feels stiff, but body roll
is suppressed much better than many hard-riding cars, and the car feels very
nimble, almost as much as its smaller and lighter sedan and hatchback
versions. The excellent steering is responsive and provides excellent
feedback. The Focus is a close second behind the Mazda3 as the most fun to
drive car in this class and has a more comfortable ride, and is much more fun
than almost anything else in the group. The car isn’t exceptionally quick, but
it never feels underpowered, and it is perfectly capable in routine driving.
Recent improvements have led to better refinement; the engine isn’t
particularly noisy even under hard acceleration, but there is some excess road
noise on rough pavement. The Focus returns good gas mileage.
Inside, the Focus also continues to impress.
The high, well-shaped, comfortable, and supportive front seats also offer
excellent leg and head room. The rear is also impressive, with excellent
cushion height and shape. There isn’t as much legroom as in some competitors,
but the seat is shaped right to maximize the available space, and there is
plenty of foot room beneath the front seats. Head restraints are a
disappointing omission, however. Despite a recent upgrade, the Focus still
doesn’t have the interior quality found in many competing models.
There are too many cheap-feeling and mismatched plastics all around the car,
but at least most trim pieces fit together well-enough. The gauges could be
larger, but are clear, and the instruments are conveniently placed. Drivers
sit very comfortably and have excellent visibility. Few drivers will need the
optional telescoping steering wheel, but it’s a relatively rare and welcome
feature for those who do. The cargo area is large, well-shaped, and easy to
access. The rear seats do not fold as easily as in most of the others here,
however.
The Focus wagon has not been crash tested, but
the Focus sedan was rated Good in its IIHS offset crash test and Poor in its
IIHS side crash test without the optional side airbags. The Focus’s head
restraints were judged to be Marginal. It earned five stars for the driver and
four for the front passenger in NHTSA’s frontal crash test, and three stars
for the driver and four for the rear passenger in NHTSA’s side crash test
without the optional side airbags.
The Focus ZXW reviewed here came in at
$16,090, a very good price by this group’s standards, reasonably
well-equipped. The Focus doesn’t offer curtain-style side airbags, but does
include traction control at that price.
Overall,
the Focus ZXW does not follow the trend of disguising a wagon for what it
really is, and is much more practical than the tall hatchbacks in this group
as a result. And its age has led to discounting, making it less expensive than
most. It still has the endearing ride/handling compromise, seat comfort, and
cargo space that it came to the market with, and combines reasonable
acceleration, fuel economy, and refinement and a low price into what is easily
the best all-around vehicle in this group. It doesn’t have a premium feel,
exceptional gas mileage, notably quick acceleration, or a third seat. But
aside from its desperate need of an interior overhaul, it does everything at
least competently and inexpensively, and leads the class in many areas. Easily
the best vehicle in its class.
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