2010 Ford Focus for Sale Nationwide

The 2010 Ford Focus provides one of the bright spots of the American auto industry. Although some reviewers and owners find its exterior and interior design unexciting, the Focus delivers in a number of key areas and receives positive marks from owners for its fuel economy, handling, exterior styling, and interior design. The Focus faces stiff competition in the compact sedan segment, but owners looking for a capable, confident sedan from an American automaker should give the Focus strong consideration.

The Ford Focus, available as both a compact sedan and coupe, receives a number of updates for 2010. A new standard feature called MyKey, making its debut on the 2010 Ford Focus, provides parents with the ability to limit the speed of the vehicle and the volume of the audio system when teenagers are driving the car. By limiting the speed of the Focus, no matter who's driving, owners also can improve the Focus's overall fuel efficiency. In addition, Ford upgrades the SYNC communications and entertainment system, which comes standard on certain Focus trims. The infotainment device, which enables drivers to vocally control MP3 players and make automatic calls to emergency services in the event of an accident, now includes GPS hardware, which gives owners access to traffic, turn-by-turn directions, sports scores, entertainment news, and other information through Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. Other new standard features for all Focus trims for 2010 include remote keyless entry, power door locks, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control.

Thanks to its peppy engine, nimble handling, clean design lines, and affordability, the Ford Focus remains popular with car buyers. Ford offers the Focus in six trims for 2010, including S, SE, SES, and SEL sedan trims, and SE and SES coupe trims. The 2010 Ford Focus seats five passengers and retains exterior features introduced in 2009, including its distinctive two-bar grille with flanking headlights, rounded lower bumper, integrated foglights, and sculpted rear end.

A 2.0-liter, dual-overhead-cam Duratec 20 inline four-cylinder (I4) engine powers all Focus trims. In sedan trims, the four-cylinder generates 140 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission with overdrive comes standard, although owners can opt for an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. When linked to the manual transmission, the engine achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers of 24/35 mpg, which drop slightly to 24/33 when the engine hooks up to the automatic. For coupe trims, the automaker tweaks the engine slightly to achieve 143 hp when mated to the five-speed manual, as well as a throatier exhaust note. Fuel economy numbers remain the same for the tweaked four-cylinder.

In states requiring low-emissions engines, such as California, Ford drops a super-clean, 132-hp version of the four-cylinder engine, dubbed the Duratec 20E, into the Focus. The engine qualifies the Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). The 20E's tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles' emissions, the automaker notes. Fuel economy numbers for the low-emissions engine remain unchanged from the standard version.

Equipped with the standard four-cylinder powerplant, the Focus accelerates from 0-60 in just under 7 seconds and has a cruising range of 378 miles. The four-cylinder runs on regular unleaded gasoline.

The 2010 Ford Focus rides on a European-inspired suspension with independent MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar in the front, an independent multilink system in the rear, and hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks in both front and rear. The SES and SEL trims receive an enhanced version of the same suspension, resulting in a sportier ride, with better overall balance and grip.

Both the suspension and the engine get good marks from owners and reviewers and provide competent performance. As might be expected, many recommend the manual shifter for owners who prefer to put the Focus through its paces, though the automatic provides smooth acceleration and draws few complaints. Many owners comment on the Focus's good road grip, nimble handling, and responsive rack-and-pinion steering. Braking on all trims is confident, although some find the pedal feel average. The S and SE sedans ride on 15-inch wheels, while the SES and SEL sedans, as well as the SE coupe, receive 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. For a sportier driving experience, the SES coupe rides on 17-inch premium dark-stainless-aluminum wheels.

Inside, the Focus's front seats are supportive and comfortable over long distances. Drivers will find a well-arranged dashboard, with generally intuitive controls close at hand and easy to read. The instrument gauges are similarly well laid out and easy to view. A digital readout on the top of the dash displays important information, such as radio settings, at eye level, which helps drivers keep their eyes on the road ahead. Interior storage spaces include a full-length center floor console with cubbies, front door bins, integrated cupholders in the front and rear, and a map pocket on the front-passenger seatback.

Although Ford upgraded the interior of the Focus in 2009, many owners still find the quality of interior materials lacking, especially when compared to interiors offered by competitive vehicles. Still, the Focus's interior is well laid out, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the front seats. Most will find adequate room in the rear seat as well, though taller passengers might feel a little cramped. Front bucket seats feature adjustable head restraints, while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat adds flexibility when carrying cargo.

Standard interior features for all trims include front bucket seats, air conditioning, compass and outside-temperature readouts, a tilt steering column, remote keyless entry, power door locks, and a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with a CD player and MP3 input jack. The SE sedan and coupe add an upgraded instrument cluster, a message center, power windows, and Sirius satellite radio. The SES sedan and coupe also include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and the SYNC system, while the top-of-the-line SEL sedan comes equipped with leather upholstery and heated front seats.

Options include a power moonroof and a premium audio system with a 6-CD changer. For storage, the Focus offers a roomy trunk with 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space and easy access.

Although the 2010 Ford Focus has not yet been crash-tested, the very similar '09 Focus achieved a top rating of five stars in front-impact crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and three stars in side-impact crashes. In addition, it received four stars for rollover resistance.

Six airbags, including front-seat-mounted side airbags and rear-seat side-curtain airbags, come standard. Dual-stage front airbags also come standard as part of Ford's Personal Safety System for the driver and front passenger, which includes safety belt energy-management retractors, a driver's-seat position sensor, and a crash severity sensor. Other standard safety features include a SecuriLock passive anti-theft ignition system and a tire pressure monitoring system, as well as the AdvanceTrac electronic stability control and antilock brakes.

While many owners opt for the Ford Focus because of its value and fuel economy, many are pleasantly surprised by its other features, including its performance, handling, styling, and roomy interior. Owners especially like the layout of the dash and controls, the driver's seating position and visibility of the road ahead, the Focus's ride and handling, and the SYNC system. The lack of some standard features, such as cruise control, on lower-end trims remains a problem for some owners, and some note the use of inferior materials in the cabin. However, most owners are pleased with the Focus's fuel economy and call it an excellent commuter car.