Our review score: 8.6 / 10
Compact manufacturers beware! The 2015 Ford Focus is an all-new vehicle this year and it’s absolutely fantastic, boasting a revamped exterior, improved cabin functions and a new fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine.
The compact-car segment is ludicrously overcrowded and we know exactly why. Compact vehicles are practical and affordable, which means that plenty of people are likely to purchase one. The Ford Focus rules this segment – and that’s not about to change.
The compact is back for 2015 with a completely redesigned body, more practical features and an additional engine that caters specifically to the environmentally-conscious. In a nutshell, the Focus keeps all the stuff we love about it and enhances everything we wanted to see improved, which is exactly what we expect when we hear the word “redesign.”
So, let’s take a look at the highlights to see if this vehicle is actually for you:
Slick Fusion-Like Looks
The new Focus can be either a compact sedan or hatchback, with three major trim levels to choose from – S, SE or Titanium.
The new design makes the Focus look very similar to the Fusion midsize sedan, with the grille being particularly noticeable since it now has that same “open-mouth” look to it. Ford has also restyled the hood, trunk lid and rear lamps, which allows the Focus to look far more restrained than its somewhat swoopy predecessor. Despite the changes, the vehicle still retains the slick aerodynamic appearance, neatly flared fenders and raked windshield from the yesteryear.
The best part about the exterior is that you can configure it however you like thanks to all the available packages. 18-inch steel wheels, 215/55 tires, 17-inch aluminum rims, LED lights, fog lamps and more are all at your disposal, if you need them to be.
High-Tech Interior Upgrades
Inside, the new Ford Focus is even more practical than before, with the placement of buttons and switches being a marked improvement in this model. The climate controls and buttons on the new three-spoke steering wheel are easier to use and access than ever before – as are numerous other features.
That said, the MyFord Touch system is still not what we would call the best, but it’s getting better, which we can clearly see in the most recent iteration. The touchscreen is both large and well-designed, while also offering several nifty customization options. The Sync voice command system is here too and it’s actually useful.
We like what Ford has done with all the tech here, which is something we wouldn’t have said just a few years ago.
Lots of Trunk Space
Space is still limited in the Focus, particularly in the back, where you barely get any legroom, but the front seats are both supportive and comfortable. The sedan’s trunk is only 13.2 cubic feet in size. So, if you are looking for something a little bigger, we recommend the hatchback version with its 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which you can expand to 44.8 cubic feet by folding the 60/40 rear seats. The electric hatchback unfortunately gets only 14.5 cubic feet due to the presence of the battery pack, but you can expand that to 34.9 cubic feet.
New Fuel-Efficient Engine
On top of an already solid array of engines, the Focus now also has a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost that’s good for 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Its fuel economy numbers sit at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway.
And what about the other engines? The base engine is followed by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The ST comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Finally, there is also a permanent-magnet motor powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery with a range of about 120 kilometres. It produces 143 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque – not bad for an electric vehicle.
If you are shooting for efficiency, then the electric version will definitely be best. However, if your goal is speed, then the ST is the better option. Either way, the Focus will have you covered.
Final Word
In case you can’t tell, we like the Focus. It’s everything you want from a compact and more. So, if you are in the market for a small vehicle that costs less than $20,000, then give this one a look.
