Keeping in Focus

Ford vehicle makes list of 10 best cars in world

If I said, "Name the 10 best cars in the world," what brands come to mind? European old standards like Mercedes, and Rolls Royce? Japanese marquees such as Lexus? Or do you think of American standbys Cadillac and Lincoln? And if you had to pick the 10 best cars, what parameters would you use? Reliability? Safety? Styling? Performance?

Choosing the 10 best cars in the world would be a fun assignment, one that I could easily turn into a yearlong project.

Unfortunately, "Car and Driver" magazine spoils all the fun. They go through the exercise every year, and you will probably be as surprised as I was to discover that the lowly little Ford Focus, the entry-level Ford -- the Ford that replaced the Contour and Escort -- has made the list for four years running. Yep, Focus ranks right up there with the Acura RSX, the BMW 3 series, the Chevy Corvette, Infinity G35, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan 350Z, Porsche Boxter, and Subaru WRX.

How can that be? How can the cheapest Ford make the same list as some of the world's finest cars? Car and Driver explains, "Whether a car excels in performance, styling, refinement or simple value doesn't matter. What's important is that it excels in at least one important area. Identifying those cars is precisely what we set out to do during our annual 10 best selections." So be it.

The Focus family includes the ZX3 three-door hatchback, a four-door sedan, the ZX5 five-door hatch, the five-door Focus wagon and the hotrod SVT Focus. The Focus has been a success story for Ford. It was designed to deliver reliable, fuel-efficient transportation at the most affordable end of the price spectrum. Unlike most other compacts, the Focus also delivers a fun driving experience, thanks to an exceptionally sturdy chassis and European-inspired firm seats and a Macpherson strut, multi-link suspension. Critics also laud Focus's high level of interior finish, including extras such as a fully adjustable steering column and a leather-wrapped wheel.

Ford buyers on the other side of the Atlantic have always had different cars to choose from than us. While our Fords were usually pillowy and huge, European Fords were small, with taut suspensions and firm seats. They handled better, looked racy and got better fuel mileage. Finally, in the 1980s, Ford gave us the Taurus, the first American Ford car with European engineering. Americans ate them up -- the Taurus went on to become a perennial best seller, and the marketing folks at Ford noticed. If it worked for a mid-size, why not an entry level, the wise sages pondered? And so we have the Focus. When it was introduced, 50 independent automotive journalists named it the North American Car of the Year for 2000. By 2003 it had received many improvements and upgrades, such as sound deadening for reduced road noise, upgraded fabrics and sound systems, reduced wind noise and options such as heated seats, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

All Focus models ride on the same 103-inch wheelbase and offer similar driving characteristics, which are excellent. Four door sedans, such as the SE Comfort Sedan I tested, are the most popular versions. Mine had a convenient rear hatch and split, fold-away rear seats that turn the rear passenger area into a huge open playground just right for the family's Labrador retriever.

Driving impression

My test car had the proven 2 liter, 110-horsepower, four-cylinder engine coupled to an automatic transmission. Tame and quiet during most driving situations because it upshifts much sooner than expected, this car turns into a mini-Mustang when floored. It has a split personality. Use the throttle aggressively and it's an entirely different vehicle. Throwing it into a few curves is an eye opener. It's planted, handling the curves like a sports car, yet it's quiet like a more expensive family car. It has nice bolstered seats, again like a more expensive car, and it is free of rattles and squeaks even on bumpy roads -- like a more expensive car. On the interstate it points straight down the road with no wander, and on back roads the precise rack and pinion steering makes you think you're in a more expensive car.

My test vehicle from Ford Groves came lavishly equipped with power steering, windows and mirrors, 15 inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, CD and even remote entry, for the very friendly sticker price of $16,525. But wait! How does $14,525 sound? Ford is giving back $2,000 at purchase, or 0 percent financing for 36 months. Worried about upkeep? How about a seven year or 100,000-mile power train warranty? More? How about a 100,000-mile tune up interval? Still not convinced? Perhaps you're just not focused.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian.