Focus comes as a 2-dr hatchback called the ZX3, and with four doors as the ZX4 sedan, ZX5 hatchback, and ZXW wagon.
The latest Focus is making greater inroads into the Australian market and has less challenging styling than in the previous model.
Though Ford of Germany designed this new Focus, it had significant input from engineers in other countries, including Australia.
There's good interior space and the Focus can be used as a family machine with a little bit of compromise in seat spacing.
Boot space is impressive, particularly in the sedan, and the space advantages of not having a differential under the floor and the use of a space-saver tyre mean the Focus sedan's boot is similar in volume to that of the Ford Falcon.
All Australian Focus models have a 2.0-litre engine.
Torque is reasonably strong and the spread is good across the everyday rev range.
It's a refined unit and pleasant to drive. The manual has a lovely shift action that belies the fact that this is a front-drive car.
ST's sport suspension gives firm, but impressively compliant, ride. Other models somewhat softer, thump less over bumps, but also feel less stable at highway speed. No opportunity to evaluate with 15-inch tires.
ST and SES variants have communicative steering, plus well-controlled body lean and good grip in fast turns. Braking strong, stable. Other models, with their softer suspensions, are a shade less nimble. The sporting model in the Focus range, the Zetec, has slightly firmer suspension as well as changes to the steering geometry than the rest of the models.
