The compact segment of the auto industry had been overlooked for quite some time in North America while domestic manufacturers concentrated on SUVs, crossovers and other larger vehicles. The playing field is now leveling itself as the compact makes a startling comeback, and Ford is at the forefront with its Fiesta and Focus lineups.
More to focus on
There's much more to celebrate in the compact comeback than greater efficiency and modest pricing. The Focus is a prime example of those characteristics but it's also a poster child for delivering youthful style and enhanced quality.
Our 5-door hatchback tester garners more accolades from the younger sect than the four-door sedan elicits, and I can see why. The 5-door execution is dramatic, sleek and sporty in its appearance-such that one would not make the "econo-box" connection, and that's an important factor to many buyers.
The massive lower grille of the Focus imparts visual distinction that reminds me vaguely of the lower intakes on a Porsche Cayenne, yet on the Focus the aggressive treatment serves to enhance fuel economy by acting as a shutter system to regulate airflow through the cooling system.
Thanks to its overall windcheating design, the Focus doesn't generate wind noise as it slips neatly through the atmosphere at highway speeds, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that wind noise is the sound of fuel being wasted.
Fuel economy impresses
In addition to the vast improvement in refinement and quality in small cars of late, they are also miles ahead in fuel efficiency-and the Focus epitomizes this gain with an ultra-low 4.8L/100km highway figure. This astonishing milestone pertains to the 2012 Focus Sedan equipped with the optional SFE (Super Fuel Economy) kit.
Our tester with its five-speed manual transmission is rated slightly higher at 5.5L/100km on the highway and 7.8L/100km in the city, and that's pretty impressive indeed. Interestingly, the automatic Focus, with its new for 2012 6-speed autobox, out-performs the manual-stick version when it comes to squeezing the most from the least.
Regardless of transmission choice, the new Focus is focussed on more than just fuel economy; it's also well powered and notably refined.
Increased power and performance
After absorbing its dramatic lines, the next most prominent characteristic of the Focus is its impressive degree of operational refinement, which is clearly beyond some vehicles priced far higher than the $15,369 entry tag of the 2012 Focus.
With only one engine available, all 2012 Focus iterations benefit from its sweetness whether situated at the front gate or rear gate when it comes to pricing. The 2.0-litre I4 powerplant utilizes high pressure direct-injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (TiVCT) to produce 160 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm and 146 pound-feet of torque @ 4,450 rpm.
We were pleasantly surprised by the smoothness of the new engine, which maintains its civilized composure through to redline. Not a lot of four cylinder powerplants can make that claim.
While not blistering by any stretch, the quiet mill provides adequate to good acceleration in all scenarios, and thanks to its decent production of torque, there's little need to constantly "row the boat" via the shifter. Plus, the five-speed manual stick adds a dose of sportiness to drive, which is remarkably enjoyable and counter-intuitive to the "econo" rep of the Focus.
The drive
Regardless of revisions and technology, if a car is unpleasant to drive it's not going to win the hearts and minds of consumers. From this perspective, the 2012 Focus is a champ. We were duly impressed with its ability to shut out the noisy world while delivering-within the context of an econo-compact-a smooth composed, uncommonly quiet ride.
Although the handling ability of our tester may have been enhanced by its optional 17-inch wheels and sport rubber, we were greatly enthused by its tenacious ability to hold a line while remaining flat and stable when pushed aggressively in a long, sweeping corner.
The car exhibits a most Euro-feel when it comes to carving turns, and we truly enjoyed that aspect of its personality along with its brake performance, which feels predicated on Euro standards more than typical North American specs.
The best of both continents While its accurate to cite the Eurobased driving dynamics of the new Focus, the vehicle is manufactured in Wayne, Michigan, and it's completely at home on North American roads. It's refreshing to see this level of quality and refinement rolling off a domestic econo-box production line.
The 2012 Focus delivers tremendous value. Along with its full suite of standard occupant protection and safety content, buyers can opt for Ford's Parking Technology Package, which enables the Focus to park itself.
Not long ago, content this sophisticated was the purview of Lexus-now Ford's entry vehicle boasts such technology-and how cool is that?
