2005 Ford Focus Review

Specifications

There and Back Again

Let me start by saying that it took me at least a generation to warm up to Fords Focus. I still remember seeing the first examples of the first generation popping up on city streets like bugs hitting the windshield: not a pretty sight, but part of the driving world nevertheless. I just thought the sharp nose and rounded hood and body were so completely awkward (with the exception of the ZX5 that came later, which just seemed to work for some reason) that I was amazed people would buy into it, and thats not even bringing up the cars initial reliability. And buying into Ford for its reliability was like showering in your socks to stay warm and then going out to shovel snow on a winter day in Fargo - not so clever.

Well, much has changed, and the Focus is helping to improve Fords reputation on both fronts, from the bottom of their lineup no less. Not only is the recently redesigned Focus inoffensive, its downright catchy. Although not as enticing as the initial concept we saw last year, it turns the looks from thoroughly and blandly functional to positively dashing. Its really amazing what a few tweaks to the headlight shape and grille can do for the overall effect of a cars design. And as for reliability, after some initial recalls, the Focus settled down and now delivers solid reliability for the masses that have, like me, come around on the appearance. Just check Consumer Reports 2004 Top Picks, which rates the diminutive Ford number one out of all small sedans, ahead of Hondas Civic and Toyotas Corolla! Reliability is deemed as “good” while crash protection gets a “very good” score. The Focus SVT, no longer available, scored number one in the “fun to drive” category. It scored number one in the 2005 Top Picks as well, but was removed after underwhelming in a new Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crash test. It should be mentioned that two other top compacts were removed too, plus an additional four vehicles. But wait a minute, now word comes that the magazine will reinstate the recommendations, according to The Wall Street Journal. This should put the Focus back on top. What a mess.

So now that Ford has raised its standards, I get to strap myself into a fully equipped weekend-warrior Ford Focus ZXW SES Wagon and make the yearly pilgrimage to visit my mom for Passover. So after loading up the rear hold with enough matzah and gefilte fish to hold my sister over until next October, plus a bag with my girlfriends clothes for the weekend (also probably enough to last until next October), we set out for the country. Actually, we didnt get anywhere close to the Focus wagons minivan-like 21.0 to 55.8 cubic foot max capacity, the latter with the split rear seatbacks folded forward, but while were talking about the cargo area, the liftgate sometimes wouldnt close all the way unless you slammed it, which, I guess, is rewarding in its own way.

One of the other first impressions that didnt sit well with me was the drivers seat. Having to turn the crank to lower it was awkward to execute, with the result being almost useless. It made the seat bottom a little too reclined and generally discomforting, so I can only imagine what a pain in the back it would be for anyone seriously pushing six feet or above. Somehow, though, the seats did no lasting damage and after finally figuring out how to tilt the steering wheel I could raise the seat a bit more for a better overall position.

As for the rest of the interior, it really didnt affect me one way or the other. I kind of liked the carbon-fiber effect around the center stack, but the plastics on the dash didnt make me want to start cuddling and rubbing my cheeks all over it. However, everything about it was excellently arranged, with clearly legible, intuitive dials for HVAC and radio, plus supplementary radio controls behind the steering wheel (I really had my girlfriend confused for a while). One thing I especially liked was the extremely grippy rubber on the HVAC knobs. Ooh, grippy.

So after getting moderately comfortable and positioning all my mirrors with the power mirror adjusters (so much better than my old Jeep with its broken mirror motors and wobbling glass that needed readjustment, by hand, after every jaunt onto the highway), we hit the road for a weekend of indulgent feeding and traditional repasts. With 136-horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque, Fords bargain basement 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 really surprised me, with its snappy pickup and comfortable cruising ability. At high speeds, whenever I needed to I just slammed the gas pedal and the Blue Bolt (my temporary nickname - the car in the photos is not the one I was testing) dropped down a gear, whined like a whipped pig and shot the gap getting me into fast lane traffic and temporary freedom.

Navigating my way through town was efficient and speedy, with good pep at the lights, and nimble turning ability as proven in the tight alley behind my apartment, getting me through traffic and into the rush hour grind of the highway. And thats where I really had a chance to give the brakes a workout. Though a little mushy, they stopped the car pronto when I stomped on the left pedal, and I was never in any danger of bumping bumpers with any of my neighbors that afternoon. Ohh, rush hour traffic… how I miss thee now that I have returned my temporary ride. To be sitting again between the many other cars, or perhaps, crawling along at 5 mph on a road meant for 80… er, I mean 55, officer.

Really nothing to report about that trip because the Focus is such a steady little work pony (or perhaps mule considering its hauling capacity) that we were in the backcountry and getting lost before evening. Over the weekend, however, we had a chance to go out for some Sunday driving, where I got to take a stab at the twisting-turning, rutted and riven scenic routes of the areas around my Moms home, finding the Focus up to the task of smoothing out the bumps and keeping me off the gravel and out of the ditches. It truly is a superior handling car compared to the many oxcarts in the compact segment. Of course much to the chagrin of my mother in the backseat, the smoothness belied the speed and rarely did a picturesque cottage go by than she felt the need to remind me that we indeed were not going to be joining Señor Alonso and Herr Schumacher later in the afternoon in San Marino: “Slow down, where do you think youre racing off to?”

On one precipitous slope, as they were enraptured by the scenery, I was greeted at the end by a sharp switchback, catching my mother and girlfriend off guard when I took the corner at the maximum velocity I thought prudent, considering the cars independent suspension and standard 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in fresh rubber. So for the occasion of my spectacular turn, which the car stuck like Mary Lou Rhetton, I was greeted by an answering “wheeeee” from my sister and a contralto “aaaahhh” from both my mother and girlfriend. The simple pleasures.

So where does that leave us? Well it left us with a big grin, for starters. After having driven nothing but a very high mileage Jeep lately, the small cars new engine and primo ride were refreshing to say the least. And despite the awkward adjustment period with the seats and driving position, I was never uncomfortable out on the road, and even felt occasionally emboldened by the confidence with which the Focus wagon made light and pleasant work of some challenging roads out in the county. And on the way home after a restful weekend, the Focus continued its efficient performance without a hitch and I was more than a little saddened to return the keys to my little Blue Bolt, as the Focus SES wagon would surely make a steadfast long-term companion.