Sharpest Focus?
Chris Jensen is an owner of a 2000 Focus ZX3. It interesting to hear what he says about the 05.
Chris Jensen is an owner of a 2000 Focus ZX3. It interesting to hear what he says about the 05.
Sharpest Focus?
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Ford has reworked its 2005 Focus hatchback, but is it good enough to keep up with the competition, including other members of Ford's global family?
What:
2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SES
Why should we care:
It is a small four-door hatchback that is fun to drive and can carry four people or serve as a small station wagon. On the other hand, like many of us, it is showing its age.
Price range:
$13,465 to $17,410, plus $545 destination charge.
Model tested:
A top-of-the-line SES with a base price of $17,410, plus the destination charge. It is the fanciest model. Major standard equipment includes power windows and door locks; tilt and telescope steering wheel; keyless entry; power mirrors; air conditioning; variable-speed wipers; six-disc compact disc player with AM/FM stereo; cruise control; 16-inch alloy wheels and "enhanced suspension," which means a rear stabilizer bar.
Overall:
The Focus, in its sedan, hatchback and station wagon models, was introduced in 1999 and won instant praise for its handling and practicality. A group of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada voted it "2000 North American Car of the Year." The previous year, automotive journalists in Europe voted it "Car of the Year." The Focus was the first vehicle to accomplish that double.
However, it quickly became clear that the quality was poor. The 2000 and 2001 models had a depressing number of problems and safety recalls. Studies by groups including Consumer Re ports magazine showed that quality steadily improved, though, and the magazine rates the 2004 and 2005 models as being way up to "average."
For 2005, Ford gave the Focus a freshening in North America instead of using an all-new Focus that made its debut in Europe. That new Focus reached America as the mechanical underpinnings of the Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40 and V50. Volvo and Mazda are both controlled by Ford.
Inside:
The interior is new. While it avoids looking cheap, it is not going to keep the guys who design interiors for the competition awake at night. Ford's public relations material boldly claims that the interior of the Focus reflects the automaker's new priority on "high-quality materials." Let's hope Ford can do a little better than this.
One setback for consumers is that some items that were standard equipment on the original Focus, like tilt and telescoping steering wheel, are now available only on the most expensive model.
Dimensionally things are unchanged, which means even 6-foot adults fit in the back. Meanwhile, there is a generous 18 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat in use. Fold that seat down and the cargo capacity is 40 cubic feet, close to the cargo capacity behind the second row of an Explorer.
All the basic controls are simple and easy to use, and the height-adjustable driver's seat is great, allowing the freakishly tall to have plenty of head room while providing a perch so those of short stature have a good look down the road.
Safety equipment:
The Focus comes up short on standard safety equipment. Good things, like side-impact air bags for those up front, are an option ($350), as are anti-lock brakes ($400). Important equipment such as air curtains (which cover the side windows, front and rear) and electronic stability control (skid control) are not available.
Crash safety:
In frontal crash tests, the Focus sedan got good scores. But - like most other small cars - the Focus got a "poor" rating for side-impact protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That test tries to duplicate a sport utility hitting the side of the vehicle. In fairness, virtually every small car tested got a "poor" rating. Only the Chevrolet Cobalt and Toyota Corolla (with optional side-impact air bags) got "acceptable" ratings.
On the road:
The major strength of the original Focus remains: It is great fun to drive, yet the suspension is sophisticated enough that it also does a good job - for a small car - of protecting its occupants from rough roads.
The engine is an updated version of the original 2.0 liter Zetec. Now it is called the Duratec 20, and it is rated at 136 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 133 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm.
It works well with the five-speed manual, providing a good response by about 2,800 rpm and more than enough power for any sensible merging onto an interstate or passing on a two-lane road.
One change for the worse is the feel of the brake pedal, which is softer and less reassuring than on the original Focus. The reason is a change designed to reduce the amount of brake dust on the front wheels, which was apparently the result of many consumer complaints from whiners too lazy to clean their wheels from time to time.
What others said:
Consumer Reports magazine praised the Focus and gave its top rating among small, 2005 cars - until it got a "poor" rating in the insurance institute's side impact test. Then the magazine withdrew its recommendation for the Focus as well as the 2005 Mazda 3, another favorite also rated "poor."
Conclusion:
At the Focus ZX5 SES' suggested sticker price, I would seriously consider going directly to a Mazda dealer to buy the Mazda 3, which is the newest small-car design from Ford. The Mazda 3 offers more safety equipment (such as air curtains) and is every bit as much fun to drive.
However, a casual look through the ads indicates the Focus is probably selling for far less than a Mazda 3 and for many of us that's a crucial factor. The Focus is still a great car, but if for some reason the prices are close I'll take the Mazda 3, please.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
cjensen@plaind.com, 216-999-4830
© 2005 The Plain Dealer
