I'm really impressed with the new Focus' styling. It's not different just for the sake of being different, and it incorporates a lot of intricate design cues that come together to form a cohesive look. The large triangular grilles in the lower front bumper draw your eye immediately, but I worry the look will be marred in states that require a front license plate.
Three cheers to Ford for bringing back the hatchback Focus, too. There's no word on whether a coupe version will join the sedan and hatch.
Ford wouldn't let journalists who attended its press conference crawl around the cabin of the cars on display because it said they were early models. But our staff photographer got access. It's clear from taking a look at the cabin that it's going to have the same kind of upscale design as the exterior. Premium details include silver accents on the power window switches, piano black trim and stitching on the door panels, dashboard and shifter boot. Though sitting in the Focus was off-limits, the sedan's backseat doesn't look like it has a lot of legroom.
There's been a lot of skepticism about whether U.S. consumers will be willing to trade their large cars and SUVs for small vehicles absent the incentive of high gas prices. With the new Focus, that's not going to be an issue because its available technology features and stylish looks make it a car that many consumers will want for reasons other than affordability and good mileage. If you're in the market for a small car, let us know in the comments if the new Focus is enticing enough to make you hold off on your purchase for a year, as it hits dealerships in early 2011.
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I agree - not a lot of rear leg room.
Looks like Megatron designed the dashboard..
I drive an 08 one of these and im already planning a trade...
Rear leg room does look tight but would I expect it not to? no.
Looks great, inteiors kinda busy but in a good way. And the small leg room its a tiny Focus, not a midsize/full size car, what would you expect, caddilac sized rear seats, lol.
While I don't know about rear legroom in the 12, I own an 08. the front seats have high sitting position so you don't have to push them all the way back to get some legtoom. I'm 6'1" and don't need them all the way back. When my 5'4" wife drives it, there's some space in the rear.
It's ain't a Town Car, but it's useable, especially for shorter people.
More pictures please...especially the rear of the hatchback...I like it overall but I wish the taillights were more like the ones on the sedan.
"...There's been a lot of skepticism about whether U.S. consumers will be willing to trade their large cars and SUVs for small vehicles absent the incentive of high gas prices..."
No worries. Our asentee will be back. Anybody in doubt?
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Bad back room and terrible center console.
This is why I like Civic. Civic is the best balanced car. If you take into concideration drivability, fuel economy, quality, interior, rear seat, and all other possible factors; the Civic is the best.
Eriksson, I think it's fair to expect rear seat space on par with key competitors, most of which are quite roomy.
Cadillac's perhaps a bad example though -- the CTS and SRX both have compromised interior packaging.
Dump the dashboard design. Way too busy looking, and very ugly.
With a turbo/power, I would consider trading my MINI for a Focus: attractive, leading edge tech, safe and American
I the Chevrolet Cruze is already irrelevant before it even comes to market. Nice job Ford!
It looks like a scale down Mondeo. Anyway, the gearshift is that close to the stereo and HVAC controls when parked? That shall be worked on.
The front seat backs look like they came out of a '91 Escort. Did they have a bunch left on the parts shelf or something? Ewww.
The rear seat legroom is a deal killer for me. I mean hey... The main purpose of a car is to um... transport people right?
While the backseat may be small for some of you, you're forgetting that this is part of Ford's, "One Ford" -aka, their world car. So if it seems small to you, maybe people in Asia, Europe, and Mexico will find it "just right". Other than the backseat and the two questionable triangles up front, I think this is a "Winner".
So nary a soul has sat in it and you are all condemning it for poor rear legroom.
Our staff photographer who shot these images says the front seats were in a "normal" position and he had about average to mediocre room in the back seat but said it was better than the mazda3.
I have an 04 wagon. Hoping the 12 or 13 has a wagon or CMax version. At this time no car really replaces my ZTW.
Where is the coupe
I'm still driving a 2000 Focus ZTS sedan (the original "good" Focus) that is holding up quite well. Two years ago I almost bought a Saturn Astra but its outdated electronics killed that sale. I almost bought a Pontiac Vibe last year but gave up when the dealer wasn't reasonable.
I'm pleased that the new Focus looks so good. Agree with Charles above about the wagon option -- I have a 14-month old now -- but the Grand C-Max is supposed to be available in North America by late 2011.
I'll probably take a look at the Cruze and the Orlando but at this point it's a question of how long our 2000 keeps going and when kid 2 comes along to determine whether we get the Focus Titanium hatchback or wait until the Grand C-Max is here.