Ford's high-flying compact gets a midlife makeover this year aimed at preserving its top-tier status. While not not radically different than before, the updated Focus should have no problem keeping the showroom doors swinging.
What's New for 2015
The Focus gets a restyled grille, hood and trunk, as well as a revised dashboard with higher-quality materials. The suspension has been retuned, and advanced safety tech features are available for the first time. Perhaps most significant is the new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine option.
Choosing Your Ford Focus
As before, the Focus comes as a four-door sedan or hatchback. That latter is of course the choice for cargo-carrying ability, although the sedan is more versatile than before thanks to a new split-folding rear seat.
- A 160-horsepower 2-liter four cylinder returns as the base engine, matched to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
- An EcoBoost 1-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 123 horsepower is optional only on the SE and only with a six-speed manual transmission. The EcoBoost returns 33 mpg in combined driving, an increase of about 3 mpg over the 2-liter.
(Ford also offers the Focus Electric and high-performance Focus ST, which are covered in separate entries.)
The Focus is offered in S, SE and Titanium trim levels:
S
The entry-level Focus is available only as a sedan that comes with standard equipment like a rearview camera, Ford's Sync voice-activated phone and audio interface, a four-speaker sound system with CD, and power front windows, locks and mirrors. The S rolls in 15-inch steel wheels.
SE
The hatchback body style becomes an option at a mid-range trim level that adds conveniences such as automatic headlights, cruise control, power rear windows, a trip computer, rear air vents, two additional speakers and steering wheel audio controls. The SE receives 16-inch alloy wheels.
- The SE Appearance package gets you leather seating with driver power, ambient interior lighting, an overhead console, satellite radio and four-wheel disc brakes. Outside are LED running lights, foglamps, a rear spoiler (sedan only) and 17-inch dark aluminum wheels.
- With the Appearance Package in place, your Focus is eligible for the Navigation with Sony and MyFord Touch package, which includes a navigation system, a touchscreen infotainment interface and a 10-speaker Sony sound system. Dual-zone automatic climate control is also part of the deal.
- You can take the SE in another direction with the SE Sport package (requires automatic transmission), which comes with cloth sport seats, paddle shifter wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an aerodynamic body kit. You also get the Appearance package's foglamps, rear disc brakes and 17-inch wheels (albeit in a different design).
- The SE EcoBoost package is nearly identical to the Sport, but carries the three-cylinder Ecoboost engine and a six-speed manual transmission.
- All SE models are eligible for the SE Cold Weather package, which add heat functions to the front seats, side mirrors and steering wheel.
Individual options include remote start, a sunroof, rear parking sensors and an exterior keypad.
Titanium
The range-topping Focus adds nearly $5,000 to the SE's base price, but comes standard with the contents of the SE Appearance package and the Sony sound system, plus remote start, keyless ignition, rear parking sensors, HD radio, MyFord touch, and heated seats and mirrors. The Titanium also gets trim upgrades inside and out. An automatic transmission is standard, but you can get the five-speed manual at no extra cost.
- The Titanium Technology package includes sophisticated safety features like automatic high-beam control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane keeping assist.
The navigation system, heated steering wheel and sunroof are also available as individual options. Exclusive Titanium options include an automatic parallel parking system and 18-inch wheels with performance tires.
Most buyers are drawn to the SE for its overall value and diverse equipment choices, which now include the EcoBoost engine. Just keep in mind that Titanium is the only route to the newly available safety technologies, which are some of the most advanced in this class.