2006 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.

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 

Mazda is owned by Ford. To save cash, the two companies, along with siblings Volvo and Land Rover, share a small-car base and this is the base the Mazda3 and Ford Focus are both built off.UNDER THE BONNETWhen it came to building hot versions of their small hatches, Ford and Mazda had very different ideas. Mazda decided to slot in a turbocharged four-cylinder engine it developed for its all-wheel-drive Mazda6 MPS. Ford pinched an in-line five-cylinder turbo engine from Volvo, which uses the boosted blaster in its S40 T5 sedan.The Mazda unit uses direct fuel injection and pumps out 190kW at 5500 revs and 380Nm at 3000 revs. It has a top-mounted intercooler, usually fed with air through a bonnet-mounted scoop as seen on a Subaru WRX.Mazda decided against a bonnet scoop because it didn't want the car to look like a "boy racer", so it came up with a double-skinned bonnet that carries air from a front grille intake up to the top of the engine.The Swedish engine in the Focus is fitted with a front-mounted intercooler. It's not as potent as the Mazda3, but still has a healthy 166kW when the tacho hits 6000 revs. The torque figure is lower than that of its rival ... but the Ford's 320Nm of maximum torque is available from as low as 1600 revs - all the way through to 4000 revs.Both cars are front-wheel-drive and run six-speed manual gearboxes; neither are available as automatics. The MPS is fitted with a limited-slip differential, which prevents one of the drive wheels spinning faster than the other by temporarily locking the differential. The trick diff is not available for the Focus XR5. Both cars come standard with electronic stability control and traction control, which can be switched off when you are in the mood for fun.APPEARANCEThe Focus looks plain angry, while the MPS is just plain. Indeed, the MPS doesn't look much more special than regular Mazda3.It sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and has a body kit, but both are fairly mild. The Focus stands out instantly with a more aggressive body kit, including a meatier front grille, side skirts and rear bumper. It also runs 18-inch alloys, and has sport, five-spoke wheels.WHAT YOU GETThe Focus XR5 is $35,990, while the Mazda3 MPS costs $39,990. The specification levels are similar, both cars coming standard with 18-inch alloys, sports seats, airconditioning, six airbags and stability control. Cruise control is not available on the Focus XR5 - not even as an option - but it is standard on the Mazda3 MPS.ON THE ROADThe Mazda3 MPS and Focus XR5 are like pizzas. They might share the same base, but they taste very different. The Mazda3 MPS is like a Mexican pizza with extra chilli, and has a real kick. It might be too spicy for a lot of people. The Focus XR5 is more of an Americana. It has plenty of spice, but is just not quite as hot as the Mexican. It's more mild-mannered and easier on the taste buds. The Focus wins on looks but when it comes to driving experience, it is the Mazda that gives you the biggest kick in the pants.You might have already guessed from the power and torque figures, but the MPS is even harder-edged than the numbers suggest. The four-pot screamer in the mild-looking Mazda has enough low-end torque, but goes bananas from about 4000 revs.Matching the slingshot acceleration is a level of induction roar that is truly unique.From outside the car, the MPS sounds like a big jet aircraft roaring past, without the high-pitched whine. The Focus also has an awesome note, but it is completely different. It has a lovely lumpy sound all the way through the rev range. Around town at lower revs, the Focus sounds much meaner than the MPS. The power delivery of the Focus is also smoother. It is meaty all the way through the rev-range and there is no particular point that it kicks harder. The ride is more comfortable in the Focus and feels a touch softer than the Mazda.VERDICTYou have to ask yourself a question before choosing between these two cars. Do you want a fairly sporty car that's easy to live with or a red-hot blaster with a hard edge and very firm ride? When it comes to pure driving thrills, the Mazda is a clear winner. The rush it delivers when the engine goes into hyper-drive above 4000 revs is just stunning.That's enough to ensure it wins this comparison. Its interior also feels better than the Focus. But the Ford is certainly no slouch. It is a great package and is easier to live with. It sounds better, looks better, rides better and - apart from the fact it doesn't have cruise control - is the more sensible option.

Ford's new hero is the XR5 Turbo. It does not have the stunning looks of its rival, the Holden Astra Turbo, or the zip of the rival, but it does almost everything better. And it has cupholders . . .It is no surprise the feisty Focus finishes on top, because it is our small-car benchmark and the one people should try first when they are shopping for a new compact.The XR5 is a long way up and beyond the starter-price Focus CL at $20,990, but Ford has the basics right and all the extra performance work on the hot hatch has been built on deep and stable foundations.The changes to the XR5 are huge, running right down to extra chassis stiffening and a five-cylinder turbo motor that was snitched from Volvo -- one of Ford's prestige brands -- to meet the company's target of a 150kW-plus engine.Inevitably, there are sports springs and dampers, bigger alloy wheels and huge disc brakes.The cabin equipment includes Recaro sports buckets, a bank of extra dials and the sort of sports trim you expect in a car called the XR5.And that is no accident, either, because Ford Australia is well aware of the following its XR6 Turbo has and was keen to link the newcomer to the existing success.The Focus XR5 arrived before the Astra Turbo and during a boom in the hot hatch business.Volkswagen sets the pace with its marvellous Golf GTi, Renault has a Megane Sport and there are plenty of other players and pretenders.The XR5 is the real deal, thanks to 166kW, and a peak of 320Nm spread from 1600 to 4000 revs, and a six-speed close-ratio gearbox that motivates one of the most responsive and enjoyable chassis in the business.Ford Australia is expecting to be run hard by XR5 customers, thanks to a value price-tag of $35,990, which is only a little up from the Astra and significantly less than the GTi.And there is still a monster waiting list for the Golf . . ."The new Ford Focus XR5 Turbo combines performance with practicality," Ford Australia president Tom Gorman says.It is built from the five-door Focus body and a lot of the work was done by the RS team that is also responsible for Ford's efforts in the World Rally Championship, under the direction of Richard Parry-Jones, the company's global product boss and one of the hardest drivers in the business.It was Parry-Jones who drove development of the new Focus into much more than just a bread-and-Vegemite transport car and he personally signed off the XR5 work before the car went to showrooms.The package for Australian showrooms is an impressive one, particularly for the price, and includes everything from airconditioning and central locking to Sony premium sound, alloy wheels and front, side and curtain airbags.Of course, there is a body kit on the XR5 and the car also sits lower on its specially tuned springs.And there is the wicked gold bodywork for people who want to go all the way for $1800 more.The only thing missing is cruise control, which is a must-have in Australia.ON THE ROADThe XR5 Turbo is an excellent little car. It is as quick as you want when you want, but still a comfortable little compact when you're not in the mood. It also grips well in corners, but is not upset by humps or bumps. This is the sign of top-class chassis and suspension engineering work.And it is practical, easy to park and has plenty of luxury gear.Against the Astra? It does not have the wicked coupe looks of the Holden, or the touch-and-go throttle response, but it is less confronting to drive and allows you to decide what driving you want on any road or any day.Against the Golf GTi? It's not as all-out marvellous, and the GTi has the brilliant DSG sequential manual gearbox, but it is cheaper and just as practical.And few people will pick the extra punch in the Volkswagen.So the XR5 is a car that will dribble around town and turn a few heads, but can really fire when you're ready to light the fuse.It needs at least 3000 revs to start the action, when you also hear the lovely whistling turbo going to work, but then it pulls hard all the way to the redline.In some ways it does not feel like a 166kW car, but that is also down to the smooth torque delivery and a snick-snick gearbox that encourages you to shift before the redline to keep the motor pulling hard on the turbo.For someone who always loved the five-cylinder beat of the original Audi Quattro rally cars, the sound of the XR5 is also a very special one.The balance of the XR5 is very good, it stops well and the ride is pretty good, with only a little bit of tyre roar on gnarly surfaces.Inside, the Recaro seats are excellent with good support for corners and classy comfort.I also like the excellent sound system, the feel of the controls and the boot and back-seat space.It can be hard to park, with less than ideal visibility around the back end, and I think the extra dials look silly and don't contribute much. But there is not much else to complain about."This is much nicer. I would definitely pick it, and not just because it has cupholders and there are none in the Holden," says Emma, a guest tester who sampled the Astra and Focus for some feedback.But it's any easy call for almost anyone. The XR5 is a top car and great value.

Their job was to shoe-horn a Volvo five cylinder turbo engine under the bonnet of the Focus hatch, make it really go, really handle and look the part for a price that makes it accessible to a large audience.To say they have succeeded is an understatement as the XR5 is arguably the best "bang for your bucks" on the market right now.A big call?You bet, but look at what you get for the $36,000 retail price.The car looks a million bucks with its overt, sporty bodywork, snappy 18in alloys and low ride height. It crouches on the road ready to pounce.The theme is carried through to the inside which is replete with Recaro sports seats in the front, a triple dial pod in the middle of the dash and sports steering wheel.XR5 is more than a simple hot-up job as the chassis is re-engineered for strength, the suspension is totally recalibrated with stiffer springs and dampers and the brakes upgraded with 320mm discs.Power comes from a 2.5-litre, inline five cylinder petrol engine delivering a hearty 166kW/320Nm output. Strong torque is avail- able from as low as a 1600rpm. The engine features variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides, a compact KKK turbocharger that pumps a 6.5 bar (about 9psi in the old scale) and a powerful Bosch engine computer.Drive is to the front wheels via a close ratio six speed manual gearbox.The discs are large and are fitted with multi- piston calipers. Steering is electro/hydraulic rack and pinion.Numerous electronic systems control the car's dynamics including stability control, ABS and brake assist.It bristles with safety features: six air bags and pyrotechnic seat belts among them.The XR5 sounds great with an off-beat waffle to the dual outlet exhaust enhanced by an acoustic mechanism under the bonnet.Acceleration is strong, not as quick as a Subaru WRX but not far behind and the handling is pin-sharp.It really gets going higher up in the rev range but has plenty of torque for lazy touring.Fuel consumption averages about 9.5-litres/ 100km of premium.I really liked driving this car but there are some complaints like the space saver spare, small 55-litre fuel tank and largish turning circle.All are minor complaints in what is otherwise an impressive package. Competitors include the VW Golf GTi which costs more, has less power and torque and is only a three door.