2014 Ford Focus

2014 Ford Focus

Even without considering the top-performance ST, the 2014 Ford Focus is one of the best-driving small cars on the market–with the impression of being an accessible premium car, not a spruced-up econobox.

• Interior / Exterior »

The 2014 Ford Focus skips the no-frills small-car image entirely, and it looks good in all of its guises, whether as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. But it does tend to look the best dressed in Titanium trim, where a set of coordinated details give the design some ‘pop.’

The exterior design of the Focus looked daringly different when it was introduced a couple of years ago, but now for 2014 it fits right in alongside the newly redesigned Fusion mid-size sedan and the 2014 Fiesta, which gets a new front end with the same new family appearance. The sheetmetal contains a mix of creases and curves, while the rather aggressive front-end design and thin front grille are a new Ford design trait shared with the 2013 Escape.

As with most other current models in this class, there’s a rising beltline, as you move to the back. Here it’s complemented nicely, as the bulging fenders in front and in back echo the arching roofline and create a very dynamic look from the outside. A subtle curve runs from the headlights all the way to the taillights, just below the beltline, and a sharper crease starts after the front wheelwell and runs through the door handles. The huge taillamps might look a little odd and different from the side, especially in the hatchback, but they nicely frame the corner in both body styles.
For better or worse, the cabin appearance takes design and styling to a new extreme. Some might find it a bit too swoopy and overstyled (and it does impinge on space a bit more than it should), but the vertically-oriented vents and pleasant surface scrulpting give it a look and feel that’s original and complex–a definite plus in a crowded class of look-alike small cars. On the other hand, Ford has gone with more of an open design for the Fusion, so the look of the Focus (and Fiesta) instrument panel might be a mere blip in the evolution of Ford interiors.
Throughout the model line, there’s really something special in the details, compared to most other affordable small cars. Trims and finishes look classy and inviting; the turquoise gauge pointers are a nice touch; and there’s a nicely tailored look to the entire interior that extends to door trim and even seats–especially in those top Titanium models.
The styling of the high-performance ST variant is nicely restrained compared to some other hot hatches in this category–with larger wheels, a somewhat lower stance, and different lower bodywork being the key differences. Inside, the ST can be optioned with deeply bolstered Recaro sport seats, which give this hatchback an even more ‘premium’ look and feel.

• Performance »

Throughout much of the 2014 Ford Focus lineup, you’ll find performance that isn’t particularly quick in terms of acceleration, but very sporty if you value crisp steering response and agile handling.

Most Focus models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; with direct injection and variable valve timing, it makes 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic.

Choose the manual gearbox and you’ll have one of the best-driving small cars in the segment. Even though it’s not the quickest, and you have to rev the engine to get to its perky side, it’s an agreeable combination, with a light, easy clutch takeup. As for the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission, it does a good job keeping the revs up when you need them, but it can be rough at times at lower speeds. Furthermore, there’s no Sport mode–only a little +/- button on the side of the shift knob.

If you really want to get the most out of the handling and capability in the Focus, the ST might be your thing. It instead comes with a 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that allows the Focus to get to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, and to a top speed of 155 mph. There’s no available automatic transmission here–only a six-speed manual.
The Focus ST provides as much of a performance rush as you might guess; it doesn’t disappoint. What’s surprising, though, is how well the car is engineered and integrated; there’s none of the twitchy tuner-car attitude that can affect the Mazdaspeed3 and Mitsubishi Evolution, and Subaru WRX STI, for instance. With steering and suspension different than in other Focus models–there’s a quick, variable-ratio steering rack, a suspension lowered by 10 mm, and a rear suspension that moves its mounting points outward–this is a model that feels like a performance car, beyond what’s under the hood.
Separately a handling package on the Titanium trim adds a sport suspension, summer performance tires, and painted alloy wheels.
Throughout the rest of the lineup, the Focus is one of the better-handling cars to begin with. Ford’s electric power steering system provides nice weighting and it performs well, providing precise control but not transmitting much feel of the road. The suspension is quite firm, yet it doesn’t crash over some of the harsher stuff.
About the only disappointment here is that low-end Focus S and SE models come with sub-par rear drum brakes instead of discs.

Compact cars have evolved greatly since the grim old days of “econoboxes,” and the 2014 Ford Focus is as good a case study as any. It’s attractive, fun to drive, well-equipped, and affordable–and it’s eliminated pretty much all of the grim and noisy downsides of smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. We even named the current Focus our 2012 Best Car To Buy in its first year on the market.

The Focus ST, its hot-rod sibling, is not only a blast behind the wheel but competes surprisingly well with European hot hatches and is one of the high-performance bargains in the market.

The design of the 2014 Focus skips the no-frills small-car image entirely, and it looks good in all of its guises, whether as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. But it does tend to look the best dressed in Titanium trim, where a set of coordinated details give the design some ‘pop.’ For better or worse, the cabin appearance takes design and styling to a new extreme. Some might find it a bit too swoopy and overstyled (and it does impinge on space a bit more than it should), but the vertically-oriented vents and pleasant surface scrulpting give it a look and feel that’s original and complex–a definite plus in a crowded class of look-alike small cars.

You’re likely to be happy with the Focus in most respects–it’s a rather roomy, versatile, and refined small car. The only thing that we see as a flaw is the overly styled instrument panel layout, which detracts from front-seat space and usefulness. Whether you choose the sedan or hatchback, you get back seat accommodations that are virtually the same, with just enough legroom and headroom to fit even those over six feet. With the leather upholstery, there’s no skimping on look and feel in back; you won’t get mid-size comfort, but there’s enough comfort back there for most six-footers.

The 160-hp, 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that powers most of the lineup comes paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic. But what’s new for 2013 is a high-performance Focus ST variant that can get to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds and to a top speed of 155 mph. Packing a 240-hp turbocharged EcoBoost four and a six-speed manual—no automatic—it calls out to serious driving enthusiasts. Ford’s electric power steering system provides nice weighting and it performs well, providing precise control but not transmitting much feel of the road.

Safety-wise, the Focus holds strong; it’s one of the few compact sedans to have earned both a five-star NCAP Overall Score and IIHS Top Safety Pick status—including an ‘acceptable’ score in the tough new IIHS small overlap frontal test.Prices on the Focus start around $17k, including destination, for the base Focus S, up to about $30k for a loaded Titanium with navigation and Active Park Assist, among other options. The 2014 Ford Focus stretches, arguably, between three tiers of vehicles in the U.S.: S and SE models make a reasonably strong value proposition against other compact sedans and hatches. Base S models are indeed quite basic, but they do include air conditioning, CD sound, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. SE models add cruise control, larger wheels, fog lamps, and Ford’s MyKey system.
Photo Gallery: Ford USA

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