A redesign of the 2005 Ford Focus brought new power and more upscale styling to the popular economy line.  The chassis was enlarged slightly, and a new standard engine was introduced, a 2.0 liter four-cylinder dual overhead cam Duratec with an output of 136 horsepower and 133 lb.-ft. of torque.  A Super Ultra Low Emissions version of the 2.0 liter Duratec, with zero evaporative emissions, offered 130 horsepower and 129 lb.-ft. of torque.  Buyers looking for more performance from their 05 Ford Focus could step up to the ST sedan, offered with a 2.3 liter Duratec 23 that clocked at 151 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque.

Roomier interiors featured in all the available trims and body styles.  Four trimlines were on offer.  The S, SE, and SES trims came off the line as two-door and four-door hatchbacks (for some reason, the folks at Ford decided to call these “three-door” and “five-door” vehicles in their marketing, which doesn’t mean anyone should crawl into their Focus through the hatch); four-door sedans; and four-door compact wagons.  A performance-oriented ST model was offered only as a sedan; this trim replaced the much-loved Focus SVT of previous model years.

The 2005 Focus was more reliable than its counterparts of the first few model years, with fewer recalls and complaints about off-the-line quality.  Ford also expanded the options available for Focus buyers, with higher-end audio, moonroof, and leather interiors on offer for drivers willing to spend a little more.  Still, the hallmark of the Ford Focus was affordability, and once again the line delivered economy at the gas pumps (with mileages ranging from 25 mpg city to 35 mpg highway, depending on engine, trim, and model) as well as at the car lot.