2005 Ford Focus Reviews

So focused was Ford on selling the Falcon that it lost sight of the Focus after its initial launch in 2002. With minimal marketing the LR Focus failed to excite the market, so there was plenty riding on the new LS model that arrived in 2005.The lack of backing for the LR was a sign Ford was throwing everything at the locally produced Falcon at the expense of all else at a time the market was beginning to tune in to smaller cars.Those who failed to see the first Focus missed out on a good car, one that deserved more attention than it got.The new LS Focus delivered European driving dynamics in a sophisticated, but still value-for-money package.The LS Focus was a more rounded car than the LR that preceded it.While the LR was lauded for its sportiness, the LS won more plaudits for its sophisticated feel, roominess and improved interior.There were two body styles, a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, with two levels of trim, the CL and LX, available in each.In addition there was a sporty Zetec hatch and a luxury Ghia sedan.The LS was wider than the LR, its wheelbase was longer, and it was a little stiffer.Ford's designers moved away from the soft, rounded forms that were a feature of the LR and gave the LS a sharper, more chiseled look.The CL opened the door to the LS range. It was available as a sedan or hatch, it came with a 2.0-litre engine and there was the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.It also boasted plenty of standard goodies to please the small car buyer.Standard features included air conditioning, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power front windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, a trip computer, rear spoiler (hatch only), and there was an option pack that included 15-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, and cruise control.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seat belt pretensioners.Like the CL, the LX was available as a sedan or hatch, it had a 2.0-litre engine, and was available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features included air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking,  front fog lights, power steering, power mirrors and windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, an immobiliser, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.The Ghia was only available as a sedan with a 2.0-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission.Befitting its position as the leader of the pack the Ghia had a host of standard features, including climate control air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, radio/CD player with four speakers and a six-disc stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power windows and mirrors, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS braking and electronic brakeforce distribution.For those looking for a sportier ride Ford offered them the Zetec hatch with the 2.0-litre engine and the choice of five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features of the Zetec were climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, fog lamps, immobilizer, power windows and mirrors, power steering, leather trim, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Giving it a sporty flavor were 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit, a rear spoiler, and sports suspension.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.New to the range was the XR5 Turbo hot hatch with a turbocharged Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.It had a full complement of standard features, including air conditioning, radio/CD player with eight speakers and a six-stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, leather steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, power driver's seat, and a trip computer.Sporty features were 18-inch alloy wheels, sports-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, and sports seats.Safety features included airbags for the driver and front passenger, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS braking, emergency brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, and traction control.The big news in 2007, when Ford updated the Focus, was the introduction of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine option.Sadly, the TDCi was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox until a subsequent update in 2009 when it also became available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.By then the Ghia was gone, but the range of sports models was expanded and now included the Zetec, the XR5 and the RS.The 2009 update also brought Bluetooth and the capability of connecting an iPhone or Android device, although it wasn't available in the base model CL.While Bluetooth technology was available there was no touchscreen, parking sensors, reversing camera, or a park assist system. Also absent were sat nav and a sunroof.The spare tyre was a temporary use space-saver.Fresh air fiends were covered with a coupe-cabriolet released in 2007.With a folding hardtop the CC offered the best of both worlds, open air with the roof folded and the security of a fixed-roof coupe with the roof up.The downside was the limited boot space with the roof folded.The Focus cabin had five seats in a conventional layout, with the hatch rear seat a split-fold deal to expand the capacity to carry luggage.Everyone had good head and legroom, and travelled in relative comfort.Some were critical of the comfort of the seats, which were typically firm in the European style.There were plenty of storage options spread around the cabin, and those in the front seats had the use of cupholders.Lap-sash seat belts facilitated the fitment of a baby car seat, but ISOFIX mounting points weren't fitted.The main engine was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-cam petrol unit that produced 107kW (143 horsepower) and 185Nm when working at its respective power and torque peaks.It was available with a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a conventional four-speed automatic transmission.The performance choice was the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine Ford sourced from its (then) Volvo arm.It required the use of 95-octane premium unleaded to achieve its ultimate performance, which saw it put out 166kW (222 horsepower) and 320Nm.When at its best it was capable of completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.8sec.Ford met the demand for a diesel engine in 2007 with the launch of the TDCi, which was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel that boasted 100kW of maximum power and 320Nm of peak torque.Initially it was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was added in 2009.The appeal of the Focus was its driving dynamics. Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good.A combination of MacPherson Strut independent front suspension and 'Control Blade' independent rear suspension finely tuned by Ford's suspension experts meant anyone looking for a rewarding driving experience could do no worse than settle into a Focus.It might have been a conventional front-wheel drive, but it was a delight to drive.The agile and responsive handling didn't come at the cost of ride comfort; the ride was smooth and supple.Road noise was an issue, particularly in hatches.The Focus was well equipped with safety features for the time.All models in the range had airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side front airbags became standard in 2008.ABS braking was standard on the Ghia from 2005, and across the range from 2007.ANCAP rated the Focus four stars out of five.In recent years the Focus badge has become tainted by the problems that beset the 'Powershift' dual-clutch automatic transmission.The only model fitted with the dual-clutch auto in this generation of the Focus was the TDCi when the Powershift auto was released on the diesel engine in 2009.Anyone considering an automatic TDCi should think long and hard before buying one. History now tells us that the dual-clutch is trouble, and should be avoided.But the automatic transmission used across the rest of the range was a conventional automatic and that is trouble free.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good, but of course buying a used car demands careful inspection.The best buy is always the one with the fewest kilometres with a known history of ownership and service. Tick those boxes and you won't go far wrong with the Focus.Build quality was a concern with the Focus; it wasn't as good as those cars coming from Asia.With that in mind check all electrics in the car to make sure everything is working.Brakes tend to wear out quicker than some cars; it's a factor of the 'driving' nature of the car.A cam timing chain eliminated the need and extra cost of replacing a belt.Capped price servicing didn't apply to the Focus, but there's nothing that should make it an expensive car to maintain, and using an independent mechanic can contain service costs.Ford recommended servicing the Focus every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever came first.The warranty was for three-years/100,000 km, but that has long since expired.There was a recall for a batch of turbo-diesels built between 2007 and 2009 without an exhaust system heat shield.Another one was for some cars built between 2008 and 2009 with a potentially faulty brake booster.MORE: If anything crops up, you'll probably find it on our Ford Focus problems.Kim Odgers: I bought my CL hatch new in 2007 when it caught my eye at the dealer. All these years later I still have it and love it. I love driving it, and it has been very reliable.Kerry Hampton: We've had our CL for years and have had not trouble to speak of. It's good to drive, and easy to manoeuvre and park.Billy Ahrens: I've had my 2007 Zetec hatch for three years. It's a lovely car, easy to drive, parking is a breeze, it's comfortable, but the road noise is awful.Michael Firth: I owned a 2006 LX for two years, but sold it because the seats were uncomfortable, the road noise was high, and the build quality was awful.Toyota CorollaDurable and reliable as they come and holds its value well.3.5 stars.VW GolfA car you want to love, but more likely will loathe because of the troubles with the DSG gearbox.3 stars.Mazda3A favourite small car that ticks all the boxes.3.5 stars.A car you can enjoy driving, if you avoid the Powershift transmission.

There was a time in the 1980s when Ford’s Mazda-based Laser ruled the small car market, but by the end of the ’90s it had become uncompetitive.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Ford Focus as a used buy.

Despite being a huge success in Europe the Ford Focus hasn't enjoyed the sales success it deserved in Australia. Ford Focus finally first reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch and continues to this day. It comes as no surprise that Ford Focus is truly European in the way it

Ford Focus finally reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch. The local importer blamed the delay on the huge success of Focus overseas, but the slow start meant Australian buyers were slow to focus on Focus, so sales have never reached the very high levels they deserve. The Focus is truly European in the way it rides and handles and keen drivers forced into a family car due to circumstances just love them. Many buyers considering downsizing from a Ford Falcon have chosen Focus ahead of an Asian car for this very reason.Ride comfort is pretty good for a small-medium car with sporting handling. Focus can be a little harsh on really rough roads but is generally very good on motorways and fine around town.As a price trimming method less sound deadening is fitted to the lower cost models and these versions can suffer from a fair bit of tyre/road noise on Australian coarse-chip roads.Ford Focus is sold with three or five-door hatchback bodies and as a four-door sedan. From September 2007 until mid 2010 the Focus also arrived in a sporting coupe-cabriolet two-door body with a folding hardtop.It comes in several luxury levels: Focus CL, LX and Ghia – later renamed Focus Ambiente, Trend and Titanium, so there's plenty to chose from. On the sporty front there’s the Focus Zetec, SR, Sport and ST170.Note we used the term ‘sporty’ rather than ‘sports’ in describing the previous models, because there’s couple of other models that genuinely deserve the ‘sports’. They are the Focus 166 kW XR5, sold from 2006 till 2011 – and the full-house Focus RS imported from 2010.The Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine putting out 300 horsepower (224kW), and torque of 440Nm starting at only 2300rpm and providing a huge amount of grunt to make keen drivers smile every time they get a chance to open the throttles to the max.Engines in the standard Focus range are petrol or, from July 2007, turbo-diesel. Petrol units until the all-new Focus of 2011 come with capacities of 1.8 or 2.0 litres. The smaller unit is aimed at the fuel economy end of the scale and some may find it on the gutless side. If considering this powerplant may we suggest loading it with a few passengers and trying it on hilly roads. Some drivers will be satisfied, others may prefer to find a few dollars more and go for the larger engine.Turbo-diesel engines have 2.0-litre capacity and like all of their type come with plenty of grunt and low fuel use. They have  proven reasonably popular, but not to the extent of the diesels offered by many other Euro marques.Most Focus models prior to 2011 come with a five-speed manual gearbox. Some find the five-speed’s gearchange is slightly soft, others don’t mind it. Six-speed manual gearboxes are fitted to the Focus ST 170, the RS and diesel engines. From November 2011 the new Focus received a six-speed manual.Automatic transmissions have four forward ratios and aren’t offered in all models. This situation may seem strange to Australian drivers, but in Europe many prefer to drive manuals. The new model from May 2005 had manual overrides on the automatic, and in any case the auto seems to mate better with the engine from this time onwards.Ford has been building cars in Australia since 1925, so has built up a huge network of dealers. The company is represented strongly in country areas. Dealers in remoter areas may not have spare parts for the smaller models, such as the Focus, in stock, but can generally get them in within a couple of working days.With the exception of the red-hot Ford Focus RS insurance charges are usually moderate. While premiums aren’t to the low level of the locally built Falcon, they are often cheaper than other imported European cars in the same class.WHAT TO LOOK FORBuild quality of the Ford Focus is generally good (most older models come from Europe, from 2005 the majority were built in South Africa), though not up to Japanese quality standards. It’s wise to have a full professional inspection before agreeing to buy the car.Make sure the electrical systems are okay by turning everything off and on. Having the owner’s manual on hand is useful for this. Shuddering under braking could signal that new brake discs are required.The Focus ST170 and XR5 are often bought by the boy racers, then lowered and modified in many areas. A stock standard version is best. Check the alloy wheels on both models for signs of kerb damage.Look over the luggage area for signs of wear and tear. Scratches on the rear bumper will often indicate that lazy owners used the bumper as support when loading and unloading.A safety recall of pre 2010 turbo-diesel cars was instigated to check the fitment of the exhaust heat shield. Check with a Ford dealer or contact Ford Australia on 1800 503 672.CAR BUYING TIPTaking along a couple of other people to look at used cars can result in gleaning a lot more information in a short time about the cars’ condition.

Ford was so focused on getting the BA Falcon to market it pushed the first Focus into the background.

It wasn't so long ago Ford that ruled the small car roost with its Laser perched atop the sales charts ahead of popular cars like the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Pulsar and the Mazda 323.In more recent times the company has lost its way when it comes to small cars, preferring to focus on the larger Falcon and Territory. Along the way small Fords have dropped off the shopping lists of most small car buyers.  That's changed with the introduction of fresh new European-designed models like the Focus and Fiesta, but it's been a long, hard slog back.The first Ford Focus got lost in the frenzy of the BA Falcon launch, which was a do-or-die model that could easily have spelt the end of the local Ford operation had it failed.  It took a new Focus model to get any attention, but Ford gritted its teeth and did the sort of promotion necessary to kick-start showroom traffic.The new Focus launched in 2005 delivered European driving dynamics in a sophisticated, but still value-for-money package.MODEL WATCHThe LS Focus was a more rounded car than the first model Ford unveiled here in 2002.  That first model, the LR, was acclaimed for its sportiness, but the LS won more plaudits for its sophisticated feel, roominess and improved interior.There were two body versions, a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, with two levels of trim, the CL and LX, in each. In addition there was a sporty Zetec hatch and a luxury Ghia sedan.Ford's designers moved away from the soft rounded forms that characterized the previous Focus, and gave the LS a sharper, more chiseled look.  The body was wider, the wheelbase longer, and overall the LS Focus was a little stiffer.One engine was offered across the LS range, it was a 2.0-litre that generated 107 kW at 6000 revs and 185 Nm at 4500 revs at its performance peaks.  A five-speed manual gearbox was standard on all models except the Ghia that had a four-speed auto, but the auto was optional on the other models.The CL range-starter had air-conditioning and dual front airbags, but not ABS anti-lock brakes, they came part of an extra-cost safety pack along with side airbags.For a more geared ride there was the LX that had cruise, alloys, ABS brakes and side airbags.  The sporty Zetec hatch had all of that, plus 17-inch alloys, a groovy body kit and sports suspension.  If you wanted a smoother ride there was the Ghia sedan, which boasted dual climate-controlled air, six-CD sound, and leather seats.IN THE SHOPOwners are generally happy with the reliability of their cars, which on average have now done around 75,000 km. There are no general faults that are showing up on a regular basis. They should be aware of brake wear, as they should on all European-designed cars.It’s worth paying close attention to the build quality of cars under consideration. While the Focus was designed in Europe, those coming to Australia were built in South Africa and the build quality was variable.Check paint quality, panel gaps and general fit and finish. Also check for a service record that shows regular maintenance has been carried out.  It’s worth noting that the LS Focus has a timing chain, not a belt, and doesn’t need any maintenance until you’ve racked up 240,000 km.ON THE ROADSlide behind the wheel of the LS and you are instantly aware of the extra cabin space, it's wider in the front and anyone sitting in the rear would notice the extra legroom.Look around you and you would have seen the new dash that was much better laid-out with controls placed more logically and within easier reach of the driver.  On the downside the plastics were rather hard and had an industrial feel.  The seats were also flat and could be unsupportive, particularly when driven hard.The 2.0-litre engine was responsive and the throttle was very light, and needed careful application to avoid unintentionally exceeding the speed limit in a moment of inattention.IN A CRASHA stiffer body on an agile, responsive chassis platform is a fine beginning for a safe package; add front and side airbags and it became even better.  Front and side airbags, and ABS braking, were all standard on all models except the CL. They were added to the CL in 2008.  ANCAP rated the Focus at four stars, five with side airbags.AT THE PUMPRoad testers at the time of launch were generally positive about the fuel-economy of the Focus, the average reported at 8.7-9.2 L/100 km.  A more recent drive of a Zetec hatch had the better return of 7.1 L/ 100 km in average driving around town.OWNERS SAYTim Bainbridge has done 45,000 km since buying his 2006 CL Focus and says it's a great car. His only beef is that the air-conditioning struggles on very hot days.Jayden Gebbie has racked up 105,000 km in his 2006 Focus, and apart from an oil burning issue in the first 10-15,000 km there have been no other faults. His criticisms are of the level of road noise, the flat and hard seats and the lack of a light in the rear of the cabin.Lee James is generally happy with his 2007 LX hatch, which was bought for its extra safety features. He likes the handling, the nippy performance around town, the interior roominess and boot space, fuel economy, cost of servicing and its value-for-money, but he's not so enamored with the paint quality, the hard plastics on the interior, and some areas where he believes Ford skimped on material, and the spacer-saver spare wheel. He's also unimpressed at having to replace the water pump at 30,000 km.LOOK FOR. Modern looks. Roomy cabin. Torquey engine. Comfy ride. good level of safetyTHE BOTTOM LINE. Safe, sound, solid package that rides, handles and goes well and has room for a small family.RATING80/100 

It was well into its model life as Ford Australia worked on striking a viable business case to import the highly decorated European born-and-bred small car.So in a sense it seems like it arrived here yesterday.In fact it was almost three years ago since the world's biggest-selling car lobbed in town.Now the all-new, second-generation Focus is spicing up the most dynamic segment in new car sales.And if you think, at first glance, there is not a big departure from the first model then think again.There isn't one interchangeable panel between Marks I and II.The cabin styling and trim are different, there are bulging wheel arch flares and the areas where the Focus was lacking in original guise, Ford has managed to address with a reasonable level of success.Architecture-wise the interior is less confronting and the trim colours are more inviting.This South African-built Zetec was a welcome addition to the garage for a week spent dodging the perils of peak hour, cruising the M1 and spending the weekend driving the twisties, which are designed to spit out any chassis not sorted within a millimetre of its life.Turns out the 2-litre Focus could have stayed longer it was so convincing.It has more pep in its step and is generally more user friendly.And so the more you drive it, the more mouth-watering a toe-to-toe fight with a Mazda 3 would pose.Steering is much sharper away from the straight ahead and there is a sweet, compliant ride.The same 2-litre unit used in the Mazda 3 seems to have a touch more urge about it, certainly more than the 3kW it is armed with over its Japanese cousin at 107kW.Throttle response from first to fourth is exceptional and the cogs are well gated for crisper shifts.Dynamically, Focus II is more competent with a wheelbase stretched by 25mm.It is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, helping to give the cabin bigger dimensions that the Mondeo, which sold from 1996 to 2000.Along with greater performance and a more accurate tiller, the Focus is not short-changed in the equipment department. There is the trip computer offering fuel consumption, outside air temperature, distance to empty and trip mileage. For this test the trip computer calculated average fuel useage at 8.4litres/100km but the majority of the 800km trip was in open running.There are reasonable levels of sound-deadening achieved through several areas, including thicker side glass.A bit of thought has been put into the quaint hexagonal wing mirrors but along the M1 at 110km/h there was a noticeable level of wind noise coming off the top of the windows which were double checked to see if they were closed tight.Above all the Focus is more homely inside, a warm place on a cool winter's morning.It is fun and engaging and just the sort of jigger that should put Ford back in the small car sales race. Currently it is pottering along at No. 6 in sales for the segment but it won't be long before it starts chipping away at the volume end of the segment.

True, the original Model T with its foot-operated gears was bordering on weird by modern standards, but it was produced in such numbers that it defined the mainstream.The Ford Focus by contrast joins the mainstream in midstream. It's a typical modern European Ford, thoroughly researched and conscientiously engineered. The result is far from radical but it is impressive. Cars designed to sell by the million are limited by the boundaries of public taste, but their huge production numbers mean opportunities for engineers to spend time refining the niggly little things while keeping costs reasonable.Like the previous Focus, the new model is a high-bodied small car. Park one next to a Ford Laser from just four years ago and the difference is dramatic. While the Laser now seems cramped and low to the ground, there's head room to rival large cars in a Focus, despite the high-set seat cushion. A nice touch is that most drivers can still see the bonnet for low-speed manoeuvring. The boot in the hatch version is usefully sized while in the sedan it is truly enormous at 510 litres — although space in both is achieved at the cost of a compact speed-limited spare wheel.The previous Focus had a unique interior with the sort of slashes and curves that result when designers are allowed to run free. The new model has a much more restrained dash design with echoes of Volkswagen Golf and BA Ford Falcon. Although it looks good, plastic quality to the touch is not quite up to Volkswagen standard and hardly better than the Falcon's.There were trim rattles, a silver garnish that came loose from the handbrake lever and a driver's door that needed a mighty slam to shut properly on one of the test cars, raising quality questions about workmanship at Ford's factory in Pretoria, South Africa, where Australia's Focuses are made. But a second car we drove had none of these problems.Actually, there is one thing the previous model Focus had in common with the Model T. The Focus was the first Ford in many years to be sold on all continents in essentially the same form. But it never had the success here that it saw in Europe and North America.Uninspiring engine performance was one reason. The previous Focus came with several engines, a 1.8-litre and two separate 2.0-litre designs. On low-octane Australian petrol none felt as powerful as their specifications suggested. The new model takes the opposite approach with one engine driving all models.The range consists of CL, LX, the sporting Zetec hatch and the fully loaded Ghia sedan. The only mechanical difference between grades is larger wheels and firmer suspension on the Zetec model.In typical Ford fashion, the new Duratec engine shared with Mazda is thoroughly up-to-date without being cutting edge. For example, the engine block has been made stiffer for less noise and the alternator and aircon compressor are now mounted on the block rather than on brackets, again to reduce noise. Chain-driven valves require no adjustment for 250,000km, the spark plugs are designed to last 60,000km and there's an electronic throttle.What all this adds up to is a much better engine. Critically, it no longer feels short-changed in Australian conditions. Stated fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100km is a 20 per cent improvement on the old model's 8.7 litres and is competitive by class standards. We got nowhere near that figure on test, however, with a result of 9.2l/100km.More memorable than the Duratec's peak power is its easy-going ability to run smoothly and economically at low speed in high gears.Those gears in the manual Zetec are nicely arranged, with a light, yet satisfyingly snickety action through the lever. The automatic sampled in the Ghia model is also above average in shift quality and timing for an auto in a small European car. But it has only four speeds, two short of the best in the class.Handling was one of the few high points of the previous Focus and it's just as good in the new model. Like the two other cars built on its platform — the Mazda 3 and Volvo S40 — it's a very well sorted design.Ford has sweated the details to create a car that feels right. The engineers who beavered away on matters as obscure as optimising torsional rigidity of the steering column did not waste their time. Nor did those who developed an electro-hydraulic power steering system that feels as natural to use as traditional engine-driven power steering. Turn into a corner and there's a quick initial response followed by a feeling of commitment as the rear wheels take their share of the cornering load. Impressive roadholding is accompanied by sensations of lightness, tightness and rightness. Pardon the expression, but it feels focused. While the Zetec is the sharpest handler in the range, all models share the same pleasing feel.Ride is European, meaning that while it deals with bumps well it never creates an impression of softness or plushness. It's a small price to pay for precision and response on the road and the car is never harsh or jarring, even in the firmer sprung Zetec version.What does jar is the lack of side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. ESC is an electronic system that detects when a car is about to skid and takes control to guide it through a corner. It's worth having and the fancier Focuses that pour from the Ford works at Valencia in Spain and Saarlouis in Germany have it and side curtain airbags too. But side curtain airbags were deemed too expensive for the South African market and Ford Australia turned down ESC for this Focus.In its defence, Ford Australia says the take-up rate for the ESC system offered on the previous model Focus Zetec was under 1 per cent. Under their breath they say those buyers were mostly Ford staff who were both informed on safety matters and given a substantial employee discount. It's also true that the Focus's unusually tactile handling means it requires ESC less than a clumsy SUV would. But the lack of two modern safety systems is at odds with the up-to-date image the new Focus otherwise projects.Those omissions and doubts over build quality might stop some buyers in the showroom. Supply problems from the South African factory mean some buyers might not even get to see a Focus in the showroom. But those who get behind the wheel of one are more likely to be convinced.

A police car passed him and swiftly banked a U-turn to his anxiety and confusion.But the driver, Carl, kept a cool head and pulled up at the lights as the cop car cooled its heels a few car lengths behind.Carl felt his luck improve when, to his delight, a gorgeous, buxom beauty appeared from a nearby house and walked over to his car.Almost upon him, the girl reached above and passed the precious six-pack from the roof through the open window to a bemused but suddenly enlightened driver.She laughed and he sheepishly sped away, managing to park his dilapidated sedan and close the garage door in time to see the patrol car sidling by, still searching for its prey.A close shave for Carl who, despite his sobriety, didn't feel like dealing with the law that day.Had he been driving a Ford Focus, the police probably would have laughed and classed him in the Jackie O/Andrew G school of ditziness, and given him a breath test. But this Ghia, while comfortable and competent, has limited charm.Just like a Jack Russell terrier, the Ford Focus is small but acts big. The interior feels like a Ford Falcon with a cavernous boot that has plenty of room for toddler-hauling equipment.Its turning circle and ease of parking are Laser-like.But the Ghia, with shape and interior design of no special note, is probably a more appealing option for the maintenance-minded retiree or the fleet buyer.For the aesthetically minded car buyer, it's an uninspiring choice. Anecdotal evidence of its blandness was witnessed with the lack of enthusiasm from potential passengers.I found the main talking point was the fact that this car is German-designed and engineered, hence the indicators on the left side of the steering wheel, and it's manufactured in South Africa – truly international.It has all the bells and whistles expected with its $30,000-plus price tag – alloy wheels, leather seat trim, dual-zone airconditioning and cruise control.LOVE IT LEAVE ITFord Focus Ghia two-litre, four-cylinder sedanPrice: $30,990LOVE ITRoomy interiorCavernous bootSimple radio/CD controlsComfortable seatsLEAVE ITUninspiring shapeUnpredictable seat-belt alarmAwkward to fit a child seat