2003 Ford Focus Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Ford Focus:

The Focus is much greater than the sum of its parts.

-- Automobile

Handling refinement of the Focus is unsurpassed.

-- AutoWeek

All Focuses, the wagon in particular, have generous cargo holds.

-- Consumer Guide

Excellent head and legroom, even in back.

-- Motor Trend

I especially like the grab-and-pull door handles.

-- Road Test Online

The highchair seating gives everyone better outward vision and excellent leg room in all positions.

-- Savvy Motoring

Great handling makes every drive a grin opportunity.

-- USA Today

What reviewers liked least about the Ford Focus:

Anemic base engine.

-- Automobile

Center armrest is mounted too high

-- Car and Driver

Build quality was disappointing.

-- Edmunds.com

Plasticky trim bits fail to equal the rest of the car's overall quality.

-- Motor Trend

Has Ford Motor found and fixed everything?

-- USA Today

Ford Focus Comparisons:

[Focus' four-cylinder engines are] easily outpowered by the Neon's thrashier 150-horsepower four.

-- AutoWeek

The [Honda] Civic still rides softer and is quieter than Focus.

-- Consumer Guide

While its performance was lackluster compared to the Nissan [Sentra] and Chevrolet [Cavalier LS], the Focus still pulled strongly.

-- Edmunds.com

Focus wagon is more enjoyable to drive than the Daewoo Nubira or Hyundai Elantra, or even the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

-- Savvy Motoring

Best one-liner about the Ford Focus:

So much better than it has to be.

-- Automobile

Its ride motions are supple and absorbent, as if a road crew had carpeted the bumps.

-- Car and Driver

Like an eager puppy, the Focus ZX3 begs to go for a ride and you're just as happy to comply.

-- New Car Test Drive