2005 Ford Focus Reviews

It's not that there is anything wrong with the car (quite the contrary in fact) but we felt it just lacked character.However, after a few days behind the wheel, we admit a growing respect for the car.While Holden is looking to Korea to cut costs, Ford has so far opted to stick with its European-sourced range.That will please the drivers among us, because the Euros always seem to offer more excitement in this department.The new Focus gets the one engine across the range from the base CL model right through to the top of the range Ghia.It's a good selling point, if the dollars are a problem, but somehow makes the sporty Zetec hatch that little less attractive.The 2.0-litre Duratec DOHC 16 valve engine produces 107kW of power at 6000rpm (up from 96kW) and 185Nm of torque at 4500rpm (up from 178Nm).It still lacks some response down low, but once the car hits its stride there's plenty of punch for overtaking.Highway cruising is effortless.Our test car was the middle of the range LX sedan priced from $24,990.Trouble is for a little less money you can get a 1.8-litre Toyota Corolla Conquest sedan with 110kW on tap. A Holden Astra, meanwhile, costs a little more but has less power and there is no sedan – at least not in the new AH model lineup.In terms of styling the new Focus sedan looks slicker and loses that pushed in look at the back that the previous model had.Inside, there's plenty of room for four adults (with belts for five) and a large boot – large enough in fact to swallow the largest luggage or golf bags perhaps.It is 140mm wider than the previous model and is 25mm longer, creating increased legroom for rear seat occupants.Instrumentation is minimal but functional, following the Falcon trend with a centrally located volume knob.A small trip computer display is located at the bottom of the speedo that is accessed from one of the steering column stalks.The 2.0-litre engine is hooked up to a five speed manual box or optional sequential four- speed auto.Our test car was the manual.The transmission is the same as that used in the new Mondeo and Jaguar X-Type.We found it heavy and a bit clunky at first, but it seems to loosen up with use.The ride (and seats) are firm and the car handles very well, thanks to the excellent chassis.Focus runs on standard unleaded petrol and fuel economy is a claimed 7.1L/100km for the manual and 8.0L/100km for the auto.In practice our trip computer showed 9.8L/100km from the 55-litre tank, giving the car a range of about 600km.Standard equipment includes aircondition- ing, driver and front passenger airbags, CD player and front power windows.LX adds 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS with EBD, front seat-mounted thorax protecting side airbags, front and rear power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and front fog lamps.

It arrived too close to the launch of the all-important BA Falcon and the small hatch got lost in the wash.Ford dropped the price, but that didn't help and the company has had to wait it out until the new model arrived.The new Focus is finally here and Ford has enrolled radio host Jackie O and TV presenter Andrew G to star in ads for the smart car.Having learned its lesson, Ford is prepared to splash more cash to try to make the Focus name as accepted as the Laser it replaced.The company is even preparing a red-hot Focus to take on the best that Subaru, Mitsubishi and Toyota have to offer in the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship.The project, even if running behind schedule, shows Ford Australia is serious about backing the new Focus while emphasising its rally heritage.But the new car is less of a sporty racer than the last model and has a more sophisticated feel.It is bigger, with all-new body, engine and hard-edged styling.The Focus is available as a five-door hatch or four-door sedan.The range starts at $20,990 for the CL hatch and sedan, a price that includes airconditioning and dual airbags, but not anti-skid brakes (part of a $1190 safety pack including side airbags).An LX sedan and hatch are available with more gear, including alloy wheels, side airbags, anti-skid brakes and cruise control, for $24,990.There is a Zetec hatch for $27,490, which runs the same gear as the LX but adds 17-inch alloys, body kit and sports suspension.A well-specified Ghia model is available, but only in sedan form. It comes with dual-zone climate control, six-CD sound and leather seats for $30,990.A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models, but a four-speed automatic is standard on the Ghia.On all other models, the auto, which has a self-shift mode, is a $2000 option.The last Focus range had two different engines -- three if you included the hot ST170, which arrived later. The new model is powered by one 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine shared with the Mazda3.It has 107kW and 185Nm of torque, quite good figures for its class.As had its predecessor, the new Focus has a fully independent rear suspension system.The new body, slightly stiffer, is 40mm wider, the wheelbase 25mm longer.To start with, there will be no three-door hatch available. It may come later in the form of a sporty hot hatch, but is not a certain starter.Ford designers put a lot of work into sharpening the exterior style of the Focus hatch, moving away from the smooth, rounded shape of the first car.The new sedan is totally different from the old model and looks as if it were designed as a sedan from scratch, rather than a chopped hatch.We liked the first Focus. It was a great little car with a tight body and excellent suspension that just loved tackling tight turns.But it wasn't perfect, a sluggish engine being the main problem.The new Focus has grown up. It is a more sophisticated model and is a size up from the last one.Slide into the cabin and the first thing you notice is how much wider it is.Sit in the back seats and it is impossible to miss the increased legroom, and the boot still swallows plenty of gear.The latest range of small cars like the Focus are now big enough to be used for everyday family transport.Only when the kids become tall and gangly teenagers will you need to consider upgrading to something bigger.The dashboard of the new Focus is much more sensible, with a neater layout.It is possibly a little bland, but everything is in the right place and the use of soft plastics on the upper part of the dashboard is a nice touch.The side of the centre console, which your left knee can touch if you are tall, is hard and this can be uncomfortable after a long run.One of the first things you notice is the new throttle calibration. Rather than having to push down hard on the accelerator to make any progress as in the old model, the new engine fires up with the lightest of touches.It is responsive and, though it might be a bit noisy, it is a welcome step forward. The engine is more potent than what's on offer from the Toyota Corolla and new Holden Astra.Still, it is not ideal that someone who buys the sporty Zetec should get the same engine as the buyer of an entry-level CL.Handling is still a positive for the Focus. It stays composed when thrown through corners.But you feel less inclined to have a fun run on twisty roads. One reason could be it feels larger than the previous model; the other is the disappointingly flat seats.Despite being the sporty model, the Zetec's seats offer far less side support than the regular ones in the previous range.You feel as if you are sitting on top of these seats rather than in them. It may sound like a small gripe, but it's integral to a good car.The automatic transmission works well enough, though manual versions of the same car tasted by Cars Guide provided more fun.

But, hey presto, with the advent of the new Focus, Ford has a car the same size as Mondeo at a much better price.Though Focus sells in the small car segment against the likes of Astra, Corolla and blood brother Mazda3, it's grown to the same size as Mondeo.Sourced this time around from Ford's South African plant and not Germany, the latest model gains a new 2.0-litre Duratec engine only and many other improvements.But it still has an underwhelming four speed automatic transmission that nobbles performance and can annoy the driver with inept operation. A sequential change mode is provided.Luckily the five speed manual is a good one offering slick changing and accurate gearing.Prices start at a competitive $20,990 for the CL five door manual hatch and four door sedan. Prices rise sharply to $24,990 for the LX and up further to the sporty Zetec and luxury Ghia.The previous top selling 1.8-litre base model is no longer available.The new DOHC, 16 valve, 2.0-litre engine is from Ford's Duratec family and offers more power and torque (107kW/185Nm), lower emissions and better fuel economy.It's a lightweight unit designed for longevity and low maintenance as much as for performance and economy. Petrol requirement is 91 octane with gains from using 95.Safety is better than ever thanks to the Ford/ Volvo link.Unmistakably Focus the new body has a more angular, technical look and is bigger with more presence on the road.Interior comfort gains include extra head, leg and shoulder room and a larger boot.Focus earned a reputation for its tidy dynamics and the new one doesn't disappoint. Suspension upgrades see a new front subframe and numerous other changes. Steering is now electro/hydraulic offering finer control and more feel. The turning circle is tight.Ford has been able to put more equipment into Focus across the range thanks in part to lower production costs out of South Africa.The base model scores aircon, front power windows, trip computer, remote central locking and other goodies. "Smooth" and "safety" packs are available to lift the CL to near LX level at a saving of two grand. Engineers tailored the new Focus to Aussie conditions through testing here and also sending staff to Germany in the design stages. It's a good thing to drive with supple, controlled suspension and a pleasing feel. The Zetec model is a step up in terms of sharpness and is more rewarding and competent in the handling department.Interior styling is not as funky as the previous model but is still good to look at and easy to use. The seats lack lateral support.It's quieter due to numerous changes including the smoother engine through to thicker side glass.Wind noise is lower and the chassis is much stronger due to simple but effective changes.Focus is running sixth in the small car class and Ford aims to jump a few rungs up with this new model.Focus has strong buyer allegiance and this new model with all its improvements, extra features and larger size should appeal to a wider audience.