2013 Ford Focus

The long-awaited, enthusiast-oriented Focus ST hatchback, powered by a 252-hp four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual, debuts for 2013. The SEL has been discontinued, as has the sport package for the SE. The Titanium now offers a five-speed manual in addition to the six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The exterior of the 2013 Ford Focus takes a major turn away from past models. The grooved sides look almost similar to those of a muscle car. Although the ST hatchback marks the only model in the lineup that could capably be referred to as a sports car, the dynamic styling on all models looks youthful and attractive. One negative to the base S is that it comes in just four metallic-colored tones, none of which appeal to youthful buyers. Meanwhile, upgrading to the SE gives the consumer the choice between six different color options, in addition to blue candy metallic and ruby red metallic options that come at a surcharge.

The 2013 Ford Focus offers a decent amount of cargo capacity, although the totals for the hatchback substantially improve from those of the sedan. Both styles offer 90.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, and this is likely to appease small families. The major difference between the hatchback and the sedan lies in the cargo space. While the sedan offers just 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the hatchback has 23.8 cubic feet and expands to 44.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, budget-conscious buyers may not want to spring for the hatchback as its base price starts much higher than the sedan.

Ford has come a long way with regard to safety and reliability and the 2013 Ford Focus is a far cry from the notoriously unreliable Focus models of a decade ago. All Ford Focus models have been recognized as Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Ford offers an adequate array of standard safety features on the 2013 Ford Focus. Front, side, and side-curtain airbags all come standard. Anti-lock brakes also come standard. Traction and stability control ensure a steady ride and blind spot mirrors add a nice touch, particularly for city drivers. High-level focuses also come with Active Park assist, and it is nice to see Ford including such a luxurious touch on its entry-level car

The driving experience of the 2013 Ford Focus varies wildly depending on which trim you choose. With the exception of the ST hatchback, each of the models come with the same 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, with 146 lb-ft of torque. Those who opt for the base S get a far more powerful four-cylinder, 252-horsepower turbo and 270 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, drivers who prefer the control of a manual transmission but want an economical car should look elsewhere. The more inexpensive S and SE only offer a six-speed automatic that lacks power. Splurging on the Titanium trim gives buyers the choice of a five-speed manual transmission, although because the engine is the same as that of the S and SE there is little performance incentive to spring for it.

The only trim of the 2013 Ford Focus that truly delivers from a performance standpoint is obviously the ST hatchback. According to Ford, the 2013 Focus ST hatchback can go from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Those looking to take the car out to the race track will also be pleased to know that it can reach up to 154 mph. The non-ST models have a reported zero to 60 mph time of 7.6 seconds.

Ford also estimates that drivers can expect fuel economy to hover around 23/32 mpg city/highway, which seems quite strong for a vehicle with its performance capabilities. The fuel economy estimates for the other trims look slightly better as a result of the less powerful engine. Drivers of the S, SE, and Titanium can expect to receive 26/33 mpg city/highway. The strong fuel economy totals make the 2013 Ford Focus a great choice for drivers with long commutes.

• Nissan Versa
• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Subaru Impreza WRX