2005 Ford Focus Review (continued)
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Summary

Despite its makeover, the Ford Focus remains inexpensive, stylish, practical and fun. New engines increase power and efficiency, while new interiors and subtle styling revisions freshen its appearance.

It also appears Ford has fixed the major problem with the Focus: its quality. The 2000 and 2001 models had a lot of recalls, which involved inconvenient trips to the dealership for buyers. Those problems forced Ford to institute a longer warranty like those offered by South Korean makers Hyundai and Kia. The Focus continues to carry the extra-long powertrain warranty of five years or 100,000 miles. Meantime, quality improvements already showed up on the 2004 model with Consumer Reports adding it to its recommended buy list and it getting a bump in the J. D. Power and Associates quality surveys.

(Source: New Cars Test Drive)

Model Line Overview

Model Lineup:	Ford Focus ZX3 S ($13,005); ZX4 S ($13,605); ZX5 S ($14,305); ZX3 SE ($14,505); ZX4 SE ($15,105); ZX5 SE ($15,805); ZXW SE ($16,805); ZX3 SES ($15,605); ZX4 SES ($16,205); ZX5 SES ($16,905); ZXW SES ($17,905); ZX4 ST ($17,705)
Engines:	2.3-liter dohc 16v inline-4
Transmissions:	5-speed manual
Saftey Equipment (standard):	dual front second-generation airbags; airbag shut-off for front passenger seat when unoccupied; side-impact door beams; 3-point front seat belts with adjustable upper mount; seat belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors; center 3-point inertia-reel safety belt; UCSSD child safety seat attachments; child-locks on rear doors; pressure cut-off proportioning valve on rear brakes
Saftey Equipment (optional):	ABS; head-and-chest seat-mounted side-impact airbags
Basic Warranty:	3 year/36,000 miles; 5 year/100,000 miles powertrain
Assembled In:	Wayne, Michigan; Hermosillo, Mexico

Specifications As Tested

Model Tested (MSRP):	Ford Focus ZX4 ST ($17,705)
Standard Equipment:	air conditioning; sport-tuned exhaust; 16-inch alloy wheels; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control; decklid spoiler and lower body moldings; chrome-tipped exhaust; body-color, heated outside mirrors; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with contrast stitching; ST interior fabrics and instrument panel; tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, fog lamps, tachometer, AM/FM/6CD/MP3; overhead console, dual power mirrors, power windows and locks, and remote keyless entry; manual driver's seat-height adjustment, split-folding rear seat
Options As Tested (MSRP):	Sony audiophile sound system ($455); leather seats w/suede inserts ($695; power moonroof ($625); heated front seats ($115); perimeter alarm ($125); side airbags ($350)
Destination Charge:	545
Gas Guzzler Tax:
Price As Tested (MSRP):	20615
Layout:	front-wheel drive
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	151 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	154 @ 5750
Transmission:	5-speed manual
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	23/32
Wheelbase:	103.0
Length/width/height:	175.2/66.9/56.3
Track, f/r:	58.8/58.5
Turning circle:	34.1
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	39.1/49.4/40.7
Head/hip/leg room, m:
Head/hip/leg room, r:	38.6/50.7/37.6
Cargo volume:	14
Payload:
Towing capacity:
Suspension, f:	independent
Suspension, r:	independent
Ground clearance:
Curb weight:	2677
Tires:	P205/45R16
Brakes, f/r:	disc/disc with ABS, traction control
Fuel capacity:	13.2