2003 Ford Focus Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The Ford Focus is a wild looking car. The hatchback versions look wilder and sportier than the sedan. But all models feature edgy European styling with sweeping arcs and crisp creases.

Large pie-section headlamps give the front end a distinctive appearance, and painted gray headlamp surrounds upgrade the appearance for 2003. Several models have fog lamps in the grille opening below the front bumper. There's a similar, but smaller opening above the bumper that houses the turn signals. Both are outlined by arcs. The front and rear fenders are highlighted with geometric curves creased into the sheetmetal.

The roofline is highly arched, particularly noticeable when parked next to another car. The roofline is truncated just aft of the rear axle line. Wedge-shaped tail lamps set in the C-pillars enliven an otherwise plain rear end of the ZX3 and ZX5. Ford claims the tail lamps are more noticeable in that location and reduce repair costs in minor accidents. However, the sedan and wagon have conventionally placed tail lamps, so we'll accept the unique shape and location as distinctive and effective styling.

Lower bodyside PVC coating provides protection from stone dings on all models, and the underbody gets PVC coating as well. Clearcoat paint is standard across the board.

ZX3 and LX have black rather than body-color bodyside protective molding, but this is offset on the ZX3 by black rocker panels. The door handles on all models are black as well. The door handles on black cars blends in, but black also masks the distinctive lines of the Focus that are accentuated by the brighter colors. High-series models get new body-color decklid trim for 2003.

Interior Features

The 2003 Ford Focus rides more quietly (by a significant 2 decibels) than last year as a result of improved body sealing, sprayed on underbody sound deadening, and thicker carpeting. New seating fabrics and trim details upgrade the interior further for 2003.

The Focus is designed from the inside out for maximum interior space within the confines of a compact body. Its raised roof is designed to provide room for today's taller average heights. Elevated seating height adds comfortable legroom.

The front seats are cushy comfy, well bolstered for side support. The seats have an exceptionally high hip point, 20 inches above the ground. The advantages of this seating include a better view down the road, plus more effective leg room front and rear. The high roofline provides lots of head room and makes entry and exit easier. Manual height adjustment allows almost everyone to find a comfortable position behind the wheel and an easy arm's length away from the manual shifter. Sporty woven seat material is designed for younger drivers, while a textured velour fabric is designed for a more upscale ambiance. Ford says it tested both fabrics extensively for color and wear durability, simulating 10 years and 100,000 miles of use and exposure to the sun.

The dash is a collection of arcs, a theme that reinforces the exterior design. The instrument panel is covered by an asymmetrically curved and sharply creased bezel. High series models feature a silver instrument cluster. The fuel gauge has a small arrow pointing to the right, to remind you where the filler is located. A 7000-rpm tachometer flanks a 140-mph speedometer in the ZX5. Both instruments are round and easily readable, clearly marked with white numerals on black, though the tach has no redline.

The center dash panel is formed by an arc that sweeps upward across the dash to the right side of the car and an inverted parabola. In the ZX5, ZTS, and ZTW it's finished in brushed aluminum instead of black. The radio fits into the top of this area. ZX3 and ZX5 models come standard with MP3 players. Also available is a six-disc CD player. Snuggled into the top left is a 12-volt power outlet and trinket tray. Circular ventilation controls feature the edgy styling with buttons styled to fit the room available. The trunk release, on the left end of the dash, is triangular as well, shaped to fit into the intersection of the arcs outlining the instrument panel.

With its asymmetrical design, the interior looks both informal and rich at the same time. Control knobs all have distinctive shapes for easy identification. Rotary controls are rubberized for pleasing soft-touch operation. The steering wheel on the ZX5 is leather-covered and satisfying to touch. Even the plastics used on the dash and door panels have a finger-friendly soft-touch feel. Our only quibble is that the inside door releases don't feel as substantial as they should.

The ZX5's rear couch is entered easily through the rear doors. The back seat of the ZX3 three-door hatchback is best accessed by the young and agile, however. Once there, rear-seat riders have lots of legroom, thanks to widely spaced runners under the front seats, plus adult-sized head and shoulder room. Rear-seat air ducts add comfort winter and summer.

Fold the back seat of either the ZX3 or the ZX5 and there's 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Access to this area is easy through the big rear hatch. The versatility of the hatchback design is lost on many Americans, who prefer the more formal sedan profile with its conventional trunk. But hatchbacks are making a comeback in America, and the design is hugely popular among Europeans for its practicality. The sedan trunk, on the other hand, can hold two standard-size suitcases and comes with 60/40 split fold-down rear seats.

The Focus wagon offers the largest cargo capacity in its class, more than a Volkswagen Jetta wagon. Fold the rear seats down and there's 55.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place.