2007 Ford Focus Review

What reviews like:
The majority of reviewers point out that the Focus is a very spacious vehicle, and it also gets points for storage capacity. KBB.com appreciates the exterior styling of the car and its "fun factor." Consumer Guide adds control layout to the list of pros; Cars.com appreciates the suspension of the Focus, as well as the handling and comfort of the car. Finally, TopSpeed.com offers a whole article on the "PZEV" Focus, which is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.

What reviews don't like:

As with many of the economy vehicle, performance with the Focus is a point of contention in reviews. Pickup seems to be a common complaint, as well as poor interior build quality. Other complaints include the fact that there is a lot of road noise in the vehicle on the highway and a poor track record in terms of quality.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 22 to 27 mpg/city, 32 to 37 mpg/highway, depending on engine

2007 Ford Focus review highlights

Most of the reviews we read for the 2007 Ford Focus have a lot in common. Almost every review says the Focus is a lot of fun to drive. Handling is agile and responsive, with great steering and simple controls. The ride quality in one review is described as "plush." There are four body-style choices, plus a wide range of available options. However, in many reviews, fit and finish is criticized. Reviews say there's too much plastic trim and not enough interior storage. Safety is hampered by the lack of standard side-curtain airbags (a $750 option) -- a feature found as standard in the best 2007 compact car overall, the competing Honda Civic (*est. $14,800 to $23,250).

The most balanced evaluation of the Ford Focus comes from editors at Edmunds.com. Although the 2007 Focus isn't directly compared to others, editors do discuss how it stacks up against the class leaders (in this category, that's mainly the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla). We found other detailed, balanced reviews at KBB.com (the website of Kelley Blue Book) and Consumer Guide, along with shorter reports at Consumer Reports and CarCritic.com. Consumer Reports is especially useful in that editors track long-term vehicle reliability and customer satisfaction (though you must be a subscriber to read their reports).

Also see full report: Economy Cars

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Edmunds.com
2007 Ford Focus Review
Editors of Edmunds.com

The 2007 Ford Focus doesn't make Edmunds.com's list of top cars (called "Most Wanted") for the year. Editors like the array of choices, including four body styles and a bewildering assortment of options, but overall, editors say the Ford Focus trails the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in interior design, safety and "overall quality." Steering is responsive, and the ride quality is called "plush," but fit and finish is "sloppy" with too much plastic trim and not enough storage space. While many cars in this class include standard side-curtain airbags, they are only a $750 option on the 2007 Ford Focus.

2. KBB.com
2007 Ford Focus review
Editors of KBB.com

KBB.com is the website of Kelley Blue Book, which now offers much more than just used-car values. In this balanced review, editors like the spacious interior and styling, as well as its "fun factor." Unfortunately, the Ford Focus comes with a below average track record in terms of reliability.

3. Consumer Guide.com
2007 Ford Focus Road Test
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Nov. 2006

Consumer Guide's reviews are broken down into sections of numerical ratings, which isn't quite as enjoyable to read as more narrative reviews. Even so, all the bases are covered. For the 2007 Ford Focus, editors like the control layout, handling, fuel-efficiency and cargo room, while negatives include engine noise, rear seat entry in the ZX3 and acceleration in the ZX4 ST.

4. CarCritic.com
2007 Ford Focus review
Don Vorderman

CarCritic.com takes a different approach to car reviews. Editor Don Vorderman says that there are plenty of places buyers can find specification and features information, so he focuses instead on information that's harder to find, such as long-term reliability data. According to Vorderman, "The ride and handling dynamics of the Focus are extremely well thought out and executed, possibly the best of any small car in the world." He adds that the Ford Focus is a much better choice since its last redesign.

5. Consumer Reports
>> Details/Subscribe
2007 Ford Focus review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Editors at Consumer Reports test the 2007 Ford Focus; although performance and ergonomics are tested, editors also include an analysis of safety features and presumed long-term reliability. Test results are well reasoned and easy to read, but you must be a Consumer Reports subscriber to view this report.

6. Cars.com
2007 Ford Focus
Staff of Cars.com
June 2006

Cars.com testers say the 2007 Ford Focus is fun to drive. They also give the Focus commendations for handling, comfort, spaciousness and suspension. Editors don't have a lot of criticism for the 2007 Ford Focus beyond low resale value of some models and its side-impact crash-test scores.

7. TopSpeed.com
2007 Ford Focus PZEV
Simona Alina
Aug. 2006

TopSpeed.com does an unusual review of the Ford Focus, concentrating on models that will be sold in California with the "PZEV" badge, meaning that the Ford Focus is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. To qualify for this status, there are a number of rigorous standards that the Ford Focus must meet. While the review isn't overly informative about the 2007 Ford Focus as a whole, it's nice to see a focus on this particular aspect.

8. AutoWeek
2007 Ford Focus SES Hatch
Editors of AutoWeek
Sept. 2006

This review of the Ford Focus is very to the point, finding more than a little fault with the vehicle. Pricing is above the class average. In addition, the Focus receives negative points for wind noise. The rest of the car’s aspects are referred to as "mediocre." The problem with this review is that it's only two paragraphs in length.

Also see full report: Economy Cars