2010 Ford Focus SEL Sedan

Pros

Good ergonomics, ques from Volvo clearly copied to cockpit

Cons

jarring ride, jittery transmission, rough underpowered engine

Purchased As Not Purchased

The new Focus is an improvement over the last generation for sure and the new cockpit (similar to the Escape) is a huge improvement over the weird retro-ish (think '84 LTD) stuff you see in the Edge and Lincolns. Having owned a 07 Volvo V50 you can see that the new dash has been virtually lifted from the V50/S40 with the knob/HVAC/stereo layout and it works well. It definitely sets the Focus apart from other compacts. What I dont like is the familiar Ford green digital displays, it makes the rest of the updated dash take a step back to 1995, no good. They should have gone with the Volvo LCD screens, but I guess we cant have it all.

The Focus is roomy for a compact and well put together. Mileage is so-so for its size, strangely these days the compacts get about the same mileage as the mid size cars like the Fusion and the Camry. A rental Fusion I had recently got better mileage than the Focus and it was a V6- ? My Volvo S-60 2.5T AWD gets better than all of them at a possibly 36mpg on the highway.

The Focus's weak point is the engine, more or less a very old powerplant dating back to the original Focus and that dating back even further. Why cant we have any of the smooth, powerful Euro-Focus engines? This engine is loud and buzzy under just everyday use. The transmission hunts and pecks for the proper gear and downshifts are harsh.

Fit and finish is excellent though, I would say on par with the Corolla or Civic and with more standard equipment.