There and Back Again
Let me start by saying that it took me at least a generation to warm up to
Ford's Focus. I still remember seeing the first examples
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| Not only is the recently redesigned Focus inoffensive, it's downright catchy. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
of the first generation popping up on city streets like bugs hitting the windshield: not a pretty sight, but part of the driving world nevertheless. I just thought the sharp nose and rounded hood and body were so completely awkward (with the exception of the ZX5 that came later, which just seemed to work for some reason) that I was amazed people would buy into it, and that's not even bringing up the car's initial reliability. And buying into Ford for its reliability was like showering in your socks to stay warm and then going out to shovel snow on a winter day in Winnipeg - not so clever. Well, much has changed, and the Focus is helping to improve Ford's reputation on both fronts, from the bottom of their lineup no less. Not only is the recently redesigned Focus inoffensive, it's downright catchy. Although not as enticing as the initial concept we saw last year, it turns the looks from thoroughly and blandly functional to positively dashing. It's really amazing what a few tweaks to the headlight shape and grille can do for the overall effect of a car's design. And as for reliability, after some initial recalls, the Focus settled down and now delivers solid
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| Consumer Reports 2004 Top Picks rates the diminutive Ford number one out of all small sedans, ahead of Honda's Civic and Toyota's Corolla! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
reliability for the masses that have, like me, come around on the appearance. Just check Consumer Reports 2004 Top Picks, which rates the diminutive Ford number one out of all small sedans, ahead of Honda's Civic and Toyota's Corolla! Reliability is deemed as "good" while crash protection gets a "very good" score. The Focus SVT, no longer available, scored number one in the "fun to drive" category. It scored number one in the 2005 Top Picks as well, but was removed after underwhelming in a new Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crash test. It should be mentioned that two other top compacts were removed too, plus an additional four vehicles. But wait a minute, now word comes that the magazine will reinstate the recommendations, according to The Wall Street Journal. This should put the Focus back on top. What a mess.
