2012 Ford Focus

The 2012 Ford Focus is the segment’s new benchmark. The Ford Focus has been completely redesigned for 2012. The 2012 car is a monumental improvement. Available in four-door sedan and hatchback body styles, the new Focus benefits from eye-catching styling and a sharply designed interior dressed up with high-quality materials. It also comes with a new four-cylinder engine that’s more fuel-efficient, and a suspension that delivers both above-average handling and a refined ride.

The wealth of new technology offered here, includes a number of items usually found only on much more expensive models, ranging from a rearview camera to Ford’s excellent Automated Parking Assist, which can neatly slip the car into a curbside spot without the driver ever touching the steering wheel. On top of this there’s the latest evolution of Ford’s hands-free Sync technology and the new MyFord Touch system that largely does away with buttons and knobs in favor of a large center touchscreen and voice commands.

The new 2012 Focus has arrived at a time where there are plenty of great small cars available. The upscale Chevrolet Cruze, redesigned Honda Civic, stylish Hyundai Elantra and enjoyable Mazda 3 are all worthy of test-drives. Nevertheless, the Ford Focus stands above them all by being a well-balanced and highly refined small car that seems like it should cost more than it actually does. Desirable and fun to drive, the new 2012 Ford Focus is a special small car, one that offers the features and sophistication of a large car in a small, practical package.

2012 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback

The 2012 Ford Focus is a compact car that’s available in sedan and four-door hatchback body styles. There are four trim levels available: S, SE, SEL and Titanium.

The S model, which is only offered as a sedan, comes with 15-inch steel wheels; keyless entry; air-conditioning; power front windows; power locks and mirrors; a height-adjustable driver seat; a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack. Move up to the SE and you get 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, front foglights, a rear spoiler (hatchback only), rear power windows, a trip computer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Ford’s MyKey parental controls. The hatchback is pretty similar but gets a 60/40 split-folding seatback (versus one solid folding seatback) and a removable cargo cover.

The SEL model adds one-touch up/down power windows, multicolor ambient lighting and most of the SE’s optional features, minus the sport-tuned suspension. Spring for the Titanium model and you get 17-inch alloy wheels, the sport-tuned suspension, upgraded exterior and interior trim, a rear spoiler (sedan), keyless ignition/entry, MyFord Touch technology with an 8-inch center touchscreen and Wi-Fi capability, and a 10-speaker Sony audio system with satellite radio and HD radio. MyFord Touch and the Sony system are optional on the SEL.

The Titanium Premium package adds rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, a six-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a rear armrest. The Titanium Handling package adds 18-inch wheels, an upgraded sport-tuned suspension, a full-size spare and summer tires.

The front-wheel-drive 2012 Ford Focus has a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that puts out 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Entry-level S and SE models get a five-speed manual transmission standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission that Ford has dubbed “Powershift” (technically, it’s a dual-clutch automated manual) is standard on SEL and Titanium trim levels. It is optional on the S and SE.

The 2012 Ford Focus gets a long list of important safety features as standard equipment, including antilock brakes (rear drums on S and SE; rear discs on others), stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The Ford Sync system, which is available on all Focus models, also now includes an emergency crash notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired with a compatible cell phone.

The interior is attractive and quiet, and the materials are best-in-class. The layout of gauges and controls is intuitive to understand in the lower trim levels, but the innovative MyFord Touch option’s touchscreen controls can be tough to figure out at first. Even once mastered, MyFord Touch can be distracting since it requires so much attention to operate properly. Still, technologies like MyFord Touch, Sync, HD radio and the available automatic parking system set the Focus apart from the pack.

The 2012 Ford Focus feels like a European car in the way it’s been tuned to provide both sharp handling and a refined ride. There’s very little body roll in corners, while the sharp, communicative steering is a revelation given that it’s electrically assisted. The 2012 Focus is a fun car to drive, especially if it’s the Titanium trim level with the Titanium Handling package.