2004 Ford Focus Review (continued)
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Summary

The Ford Focus is inexpensive yet long on style, practicality and fun. It's available in a wide variety of body styles to suit all types of lifestyles. The sedans are comfortable and move people efficiently. The three-door hatchback proves to be economical and practical yet sporty and fun. The five-door hatchback makes it easier for rear-seat passengers to join in the merriment. The wagons can carry a ton of cargo.

The SVT models bring stellar performance to this class. The Ford Focus SVT is up to the challenge of other sport compacts with strong acceleration performance, agile handling, and excellent brakes.

While we recommend the Focus, it has been hampered by recalls, most of which involve 2000 and 2001 models. Ford says all the problems have been fixed and owners should not experience problems with 2004 models. Recalls don't cost owners out of pocket per se, but sometimes involve inconvenient trips to the dealership. Overall quality of the 2003 Focus was about average, according to owner surveys conducted by J.D. Power and Associates.

(Source: New Cars Test Drive)

Model Line Overview

Model Lineup:	Focus LX sedan ($13,185); SE sedan ($14,915); ZTS sedan ($15,535); ZX3 3-door hatchback ($12,725); ZX5 5-door hatchback ($15,035); SE wagon ($17,130); ZTW wagon ($17,745); SVT 3-door hatchback ($18,590); SVT 5-door hatchback ($19,090)
Engines:	2.0-liter dohc 16v inline-4
Transmissions:	6-speed manual
Saftey Equipment (standard):	dual front second-generation airbags, side-impact door beams, 3-point front seat belts with adjustable upper mount, pretensioners and load-limiting retractors, center 3-point inertia real safety belts, UCSSD child safety seat attachments, child-locks on rear doors, pressure cut-off proportioning valve on rear brakes, SecuriLock theft-deterrent system
Saftey Equipment (optional):	ABS; head-and-chest seat-mounted side-impact airbags
Basic Warranty:	3 year/36,000 miles
Assembled In:	Wayne, Michigan; Hermosillo, Mexico

Specifications As Tested

Model Tested (MSRP):	Ford Focus SVT 3-door ($18,590)
Standard Equipment:	center console, front courtesy lights with theater dimming, door map pockets, cloth trim on doors, removable package tray, sport bucket front seats with height adjust, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, tachometer, driver and passenger vanity mirror, battery saver, rear defroster, solar tinted glass, power point, power steering, trip odometer, rear window wiper/washer, aluminum wheels, power remote locking, power remote mirrors, floor mats; SVT adds four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, rear hatch cargo net, short-throw shifter, fog lights, unique headlamp bezel surround, electroluminescent instruments, black lift gate handle, color-keyed trim, stainless steel pedals, power locks, power windows, power driver's seat, sport bucket seats, rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel
Options As Tested (MSRP):	Audiophile system ($675) includes 80-watt system w/four 2-way speakers
Destination Charge:	545
Gas Guzzler Tax:
Price As Tested (MSRP):	19810
Layout:	front-wheel drive
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	170 @ 7000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	145 @ 5500
Transmission:	6-speed manual
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	21/25
Wheelbase:	103
Length/width/height:	168.1/66.9/56.3
Track, f/r:	58.8/58.5
Turning circle:	39.1
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	39.3/49.4/43.1
Head/hip/leg room, m:
Head/hip/leg room, r:	38.7/49.5/37.6
Cargo volume:	18.6
Payload:
Towing capacity:	1000
Suspension, f:	independent
Suspension, r:	independent
Ground clearance:
Curb weight:	2750
Tires:	P215/45R17
Brakes, f/r:	disc/disc with ABS
Fuel capacity:	13.2