2011 Ford Focus

Ford Focus - What the Auto Press Says

The 2012 Ford Focus ranks 5 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 24 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Focus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Ford Focus is completely redesigned for the 2012 model year, and reviewers love the updates. Not only are the Focus’s exterior and interior changes impressive, but it’s also more fun to drive than the previous generation.

The Ford Focus was popular and well-liked when it debuted in 2000, but over time the competition improved, and the Focus lost its appeal.

Now, eleven years later, Ford has completely redesigned the Focus in hopes that it will regain its reputation as a top choice among affordable small cars. With well-rounded competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze, Mazda3 and Honda Fit, Ford has revamped the Focus from the inside out to take on the competition. The interior was one of the first things to change, now featuring more high tech options. "The company is loading the Focus with all manner of optional niceties,” says Edmunds, “such as keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, a semi-automatic parallel parking system and the new MyFord ‘driver connect’ technology which reconfigures information and entertainment operation with five-way touchpads on the steering-wheel spokes and, with high-end versions, adds an 8-inch touch screen display."

The 2012 Focus also gets MyKey and MyFord, two features that are available on other models like the Ford Edge. MyFord integrates entertainment, navigation and communication into a touch screen console. MyKey is a safety feature that restricts vehicle speed and stereo volume while your teen drives.

The industry is also excited about the Focus’s standard torque vectoring control – a first for a car in this class. Torque vectoring control increases vehicle stability by adding brake force to wheels on one side during turns, and is a great feature for driving enthusiasts.

The Focus also got a lot of exterior updates, and the industry is very pleased with the changes. The newest Focus looks sportier and more aggressive than older models and falls in line with the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta.

Reviewers love the changes on the new Ford Focus, but the most important question is if the Focus can survive when the excitement surrounding its redesign fades. Right now, it’s hard to tell. Reviewers think Ford has produced a great car, but there are a lot of other affordable small cars on the market – the Honda Fit, the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra – that are just as good and outshine the 2012 Focus in terms of affordability, utility and available features. If you’re considering the Focus, it’s a good idea check the competition first.