By contributing editor David Colman

Vitals Statistics:
$19095      Focus 5dr HB SE
4-Door Front Wheel Drive , 160 bhp, 146 lb-ft, 5-sp Manual, 26/36 mpg
5 passengers, 2900 lb, 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine, 18.1 lb/bhp

Likes:

• Euroslick styling
• Gem-like interior fittings
• Razor sharp handling
• Eager engine that is happy to work hard
• Hatchback model has added utility over sedan and looks great
• Long list of upgrades and high-tech options

Dislikes:

• Lack of paddle shifters for dual clutch automatic
• HVAC dials where radio controls should be and vice versa
• Driving concentration distracted by Ford Synch GUI

2012 Ford Focus Test Drive & Car Review. This video is brought to you by Autobytel

If you think of the Focus as Ford’s VW Golf beater, you’re aiming too low. Golf was just the low hanging fruit in Ford’s quest to redefine the sport compact sedan. The real target was Audi’s A3, a loftier goal indeed. Has Ford succeeded in outdoing the A3? Not quite, but close enough to give Audi reason to be concerned. If you want to build a better sport sedan than Audi, you’d best hire Germans to design it, and that’s just what Ford has done. The Focus was conceived in Germany, and has been on sale across Europe for more than a year. It has already established a successful track record in World Rallye competition as well as World Touring Car track contests. While Focus may be new to the US, it is by no means an unproven entity abroad.

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By Danny Chang

Vitals Statistics:

$22,765      Focus 5dr HB Titanium
4-Door Front Wheel Drive , 160 bhp, 146 lb-ft, 5-sp Manual, 26/36 mpg
5 passengers, 2900 lb, 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine, 18.1 lb/bhp

Pros

• Smooth ride and crisp handling
• Automated parking system
• Sporty Euro styling
• Eager engine that is happy to work hard
• Hatchback model has added utility over sedan and looks great
• Long list of upgrades and high-tech options

Cons

• Rear leg room is a bit tight
• Decent acceleration
• MyFord + Microsoft Sync works as well as a Windows PC

It’s been over ten years since Ford has brought its world-class compact sedan and hatchback to America. During this time, those of us in the U.S. completely missed out on the second generation of the Ford Focus that the rest of the world had access to, and instead we had the misfortune of an updated Mk 1 version with poor styling in being peddled as the second generation North American Focus. At least now we get the same world compact car as the Europeans do in the new Mk III Ford Focus. Having actually owned a 1996 Ford Escort way back when, I can actually say that this new Focus is like night and day when compared with the old Escort. One, I like the sporty styling. Secondly, I enjoyed the tight handling on this compact car. Thirdly, I was really wowed by the automated parking system. More on that later.

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By Alex Kramer

Here we go again. Gas prices are climbing ever higher, but unlike a few years ago, they will probably stay sky high this time around. Luckily, the American car buyer now has an impressive array of choices when it comes to maximizing every gallon. From pint-sized sub-compacts to high-tech hybrids, there are plenty of ways to achieve 40 mpg, and some of them are even quite fun to drive.

We recently had the opportunity to test three of the newest entries into the gas saving game at the WAJ Media Days event held last month: the new Ford Focus SFE, Chevy Cruze Eco, and Lexus CT 200h. After an afternoon of test driving, we can honestly report that these three are the real deal, providing both excellent fuel efficiency and a surprising amount of driving excitement.

Click the image or navigation link below to read more details about each car.

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Ford has announced their latest vehicle to join the 40 MPG Club with the all-new 2012 Focus SFE (Super Fuel Economy) that has been EPA certified at 40 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.

The new Ford Focus SFE joins other fuel efficient 40 MPG cars such as Ford’s own Fusion Hybrid and Fiesta, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Elantra, just to name a few.

The Focus SFE has other fuel friendly features such as, a dry-clutch PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission, a 2.0-liter direct-injection DOHC four-cylinder engine that combines high-pressure direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency, 16-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic wheel covers, active grille shutters, high-efficiency tires, four-wheel disc brakes, and a rear spoiler. The 2012 Ford Focus SE sedan starts at $17,270 with a $495 SFE option.

With oil prices on the rise and the current demand for more fuel efficient cars, Ford picked the right time to announce another vehicle that gets 40 mpg!

The new Ford Focus ST – which features a unique 247 hp version of the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine – will be completely true to Ford’s ST heritage, offering driving enthusiasts an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound. The four-cylinder engine which produces 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

Ford’s new torque-vectoring power control system is on hand, which should keep the front wheels in line, as front-wheel-drive turbo cars are always prone to understeer and torque steer.

The 2012 Focus ST debuts looks good in its new Tangerine Scream color on the bulgier, more aggressive Focus. The wheel wells are fully filled out with attractive 19-inch alloys in the Blue Oval’s signature Y-spoke ST pattern. Additionally, the trapezoidal grille has been raised on the front fascia, making way for additional lower air intakes. We surmise Ford isn’t keen on offering the base Focus with the LED eyebrow in America, but we sincerely hope that it is left intact on the U.S.-spec Focus ST. Out back, the Focus’ rear bumper has been completely reworked to incorporate a diffuser setup with a center-mounted sport exhaust.

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The availability of mainstream electric vehicles (EV) is a lot closer than you realize. The Tesla Roadster (with its six-figure pricetag) and Mitsubishi i-MiEV are already being sold to the general public*. The Nissan Leaf is scheduled for a December 2010 launch and the Coda Sedan isn’t very far behind. Ford wants to be a player in the EV space and the Focus (along with the Transit Connect) are platforms being developed as pure electric vehicles.

The Ford Focus EV is based on the next-generation Ford Focus, a capable if not head-turning car. By choosing an existing platform, Ford will save the expense associated with developing a unique design. Ever since the second-generation Prius, with its iconic design, became a hit, automakers have adopted the idea that a hybrid car with an innovative high-tech drivetrain needs to scream out for attention. That’s the direction that Nissan is taking with the Nissan Leaf, due out in limited markets in late 2010. The Chevy Volt extended-range EV, the new Honda Insight, and the Lexus HS 250h are also original purpose-built designs.

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The Euro-spec Focus comes stateside early 2011

For many years lucky Europeans got the ‘good’ version of the Ford Focus, but starting in 2011, American car buyers will finally get to buy the real thing. The 2012 Ford Focus unveiled at this year’s North American International Auto Show is nothing like the dull econo-box we have had to deal with for years. This new car will likely be serious competition for Honda, Toyota and GM in the compact-car market segment.

Globally Ford will offer the Focus with ten different engine options. In the US, a 2.0 liter direct-injection 155-hp engine will be standard. An Ecoboost option will likely be available as well for people that are looking for a little more horsepower. Unfortunately it’s unlikely we will ever see the 1.6 liter diesel engine stateside.

To improve fuel efficiency, Ford is using its new dual-clutch, fully automatic PowerShift transmission. Ford is claiming the new transmission will improve fuel economy by 9 percent. A transmission this sophisticated is almost unheard of in this market segment and is a real surprise.

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By Holly Roberts

Pros:

• Shocking (and decent) acceleration when already at speed (from 0 to 60, not so good)
• Mileage, mileage, mileage!!!!
• Microsoft SYNC
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Built-in Bluetooth

Cons:

• The interior is a bit noisy on the freeway (which hampers the SYNC a bit)
• While still a value car, the interior did feel a “bit” cheap

Fuel Economy:
EPA Estimates: 24 in the city, and 33 highway (or 27 combined)
Actual: 31.2 mpg

I was pretty luke-warm on driving the Ford Focus.  But I decided to clear all my preconceptions out and just review it for what it is:  an American-made compact car.  Honestly, it really surprised me.  Our model was the top-end car, and was packed with thoughtful features.  Most impressive of all (to me):  the voice-activated Ford SYNC System, and the fuel economy numbers!

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By Francis Cebedo

Blings:

• Revolutionary new Microsoft Sync system
• Good gas mileage
• Good value
• Fun features like ambient lighting
• New styling
• Steering feel and responsiveness is quite good
• Nice new features leave a good first impression

Dings:

• New styling – although it’s a bling, it’s a love it or hate it exterior design
• Interior fit and craftsmanship is sub par
• No hatchback model is a huge disappointment for some
• Chassis stiffness and handling is uninspired. This is the same basic chassis as the previous model
• New features don’t leave a good lasting impression

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Initial quality of Ford domestic vehicles (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury) is now close to the level of Toyota and Honda. Hard to believe isn’t it? Overall, Ford vehicle quality has improved 8% over the past year, according to a study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, MI. In addition, every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its previous generation.

RDA’s report “2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System” study was commissioned by Ford and tends to predict how the automakers will perform in the closely watched study on new-car quality by J.D. Power and Associates.

Read the following press release by Ford to learn more details.

EMPLOYEES ARE ‘DRIVE ONE’ STARS AS FORD TOUTS ITS LEAD IN QUALITY, SAFETY, ‘GREEN’ AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES

• Ford introducing comprehensive new marketing platform called “Drive One”
• Effort showcases Ford’s leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies
• Ford employees to star in TV and web advertising, which begins Tuesday during American Idol

DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2008 – Ford employees will be the stars this week on American Idol, as the company introduces a new and far-reaching marketing initiative called “Drive One” to underscore to consumers its leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies.

New broadcast, print and digital media will highlight the company’s new products and major accomplishments through Ford employees’ voices and their stories.

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