2012 Ford Focus

The long-awaited, all-new 2012 Ford Focus has been expected to be a formidable contender in the compact-car segment. Many reviewers say that the new Focus lives up to the hype, and that it is indeed one of the best economy cars available right now thanks to its world-class driving dynamics, peppy engine, good fuel economy and modern design. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra (Base MSRP: $14,830 to $19,980), the best-reviewed economy sedan, is also a new, modern and sophisticated compact car, but it's cheaper when similarly equipped. The 2011 Mazda3 (Base MSRP: $15,800 to $23,010) is also an excellent economy car, and the upcoming 2012 Honda Civic is expected to be a strong rival.

Ford Focus' styling, details impress reviewers

The 2012 Ford Focus excels in aesthetics, interior quality and available features. Outside, the Focus is attractive and modern and "belies its price range," according to a Road and Track test drive. Many reviewers find the five-door hatchback particularly attractive. The interior is no different. An Edmunds Inside Line comparison test between the Focus and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (Base MSRP: $16,275 to $22,225) finds it refreshing that when it comes to the interior, "everything is styled, not just applied -- for example, the way the side HVAC vents waterfall off the dash." That same review continues its praise, observing that "nearly every piece of material is soft-touch, with a genuine tactility to it."

The interior has a comfort level that "was quite high in any situation," according to WindingRoad.com. The interior space is about average for the class. Reviewers say the front seats are comfortable and supportive ("uncommonly good," according to Automobile Magazine), while the rear passenger area is on the small side and short on legroom. The Focus' trunk can accommodate 13.2 cubic feet of cargo. Those seeking more hauling ability should turn their attention to the Focus five-door hatchback. When its seats are folded, the hatchback can accommodate up to 44.8 cubic feet of cargo.

Lots of high-tech features, but are they user-friendly?

Available features include a rearview camera; parking assistance; Ford's hands-free, voice-activated Sync system, and the MyFord Touch control interface. The latter removes most buttons you'd commonly find and consolidates the majority of the controls onto a touch-screen system that also houses GPS navigation and infotainment options. Some reviewers note that there is a significant learning curve to this arrangement.

Car and Driver says that "the busy screen is crowded with command prompts," and expresses concern that the system's submenus could take a driver's focus away from the road and the touch-screen's hot buttons "aren't always obvious." Yet, the same review acknowledges that "the capabilities of the system for providing entertainment and information are tremendous."

Excellent ride and handling

The 2012 Focus shines when it comes to ride quality and handling. Cars.com considers the steering a high point and says "the Focus is admirably quiet in all regards." Jason Cammisa, a reviewer for Automobile Magazine, says the 2012 Focus "resists body roll, turns in crisply, and with the optional 18 inch Michelin Pilot Sport PS3 summer tires, flies around corners like a sports sedan." The ride is taut but well-damped, offering a sporty, up-market feel. Motor Trend also raves about the handling, concluding that the Focus "really is a joy to drive." 

Ford Focus power and fuel-economy rundown

All 2012 Ford Focus trim levels come equipped with a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy estimates have not yet been posted to the official FuelEconomy.gov website as of this writing, but the data released by the manufacturer so far indicates that the Focus delivers admirable efficiency numbers, especially with the special mileage-maximizing SFE package. Optioned as such, Ford says the 2012 Focus is expected to register 28 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Expect the Focus models without the SFE option to get a slightly lower rating of about 38 mpg highway. We will update this report with finalized data once it's released by the government. Available transmissions include a five-speed manual gearbox and a dual-clutch, six-speed, automated manual transmission.

While competent, the dual-clutch automatic is the source of some reviewer criticism. Specifically, reviewers feel that the optimization for high fuel economy leads to slower and more conservative gear changes. Car and Driver says that the automatic "downshifts reluctantly, which makes the Focus seem lazy if you're not standing in it all the time." Manual gear selecting with the automatic is available, but reviewers find neither its operation nor interface to be particularly pleasing. The Car and Driver review says that the manual-shift feature "gets the job done but is about as satisfying as doing your taxes with a pocket calculator." Automobile Magazine's Cammisa reaches a similar conclusion in his first-drive review. He complains that the manual-shift buttons are "awkwardly placed" and that the manual mode "doesn't like to follow directions."

Safety and warranty info

The Ford Focus has not yet been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. There is plenty of standard safety equipment, including antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Ford's optional Sync system can call emergency services in the event of an accident if it is linked to your cell phone.

The Focus has a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Summary of the 2012 Ford Focus

According to the experts, the 2012 Ford Focus is a contender for the top of the econocar heap thanks to its superb ride and handling, high-quality interior and impressive fuel economy. Aside from the relaxed shift programming for the optional automatic transmission, reviewers find little wrong with the Focus. The best-reviewed 2011 Hyundai Elantra is also very highly praised by reviewers, and it's cheaper than comparably equipped Focus models. Regardless, the new 2012 Ford Focus warrants a spot near the top of your test-drive list if you seek a polished, modern and comfortable economy sedan or hatchback.