For 2007, the Ford Focus has minor changes. A GFX Appearance package is available on sedan and hatchback models; a single CD/MP3 player is standard on all vehicles; and an available six-CD/MP3 player with wheel-mounted controls is available. There are also three new exterior colours: Kiwi Green Metallic, Aqua Blue Metallic, and Vermillion, which replace Light Tundra, Sonic Blue and Infra-Red Clearcoat.

Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Ford

The four-door hatchback GFX Appearance package adds unique colour-keyed front fascia with fog lamps, rear fascia with diffuser insert, high-wing rear spoiler, and bright exhaust tip; on two-door hatchback or sedan models, it also includes 15-inch aluminum wheels, leather-wrapped wheel, tachometer, and a high-mount spoiler on the hatchback or rally-style spoiler on the sedan.

The Focus, Ford’s entry-level offering, is available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatchback (Ford calls them 3-door and 5-door), four-door sedan and four-door station wagon. The two-door hatchback comes in S or SE trim; the four-door hatchback in SES trim; the wagon in SE or SES trim; and the sedan in S, SE, SES and performance ST trim.

Two engines are available: a 2.0-litre Duratec inline four-cylinder, or a 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder that is exclusive to the ST. The 2.0-litre comes with a five-speed manual transmission that is the only choice in the S trim line; it can be optioned to a four-speed automatic in SE or SES trim. The ST uses the manual transmission only.

Features on the S trim line include 15-inch steel wheels, 60/40 split-fold rear seat with flip-up rear cushion, height-adjustable driver’s seat, CD/MP3 player with four speakers, intermittent rear wipers, rear wiper/washer (on hatchback and wagon models), and overhead storage console with reading lights. A Security Group package of anti-lock brakes and front seat side airbags can be added.

The SE adds air conditioning, and on wagon models, also adds cargo area cover, rear floor mats and roof side rails. Stand-alone options include an automatic transmission, 15-inch aluminum wheels, anti-lock brakes, front side seat airbags, alarm system, six-CD/MP3 stereo, tilt and telescopic column and sunroof. Available option packages include a Comfort Group of cruise control, tilt wheel, and rear-seat head restraints; a Power Group of power windows and mirrors; and a Wagon Sport Group, which adds aluminum wheels, tachometer, leather-wrapped wheel and fog lamps.

SES models add 15-inch aluminum wheels and fog lamps on the wagon, and 16-inch aluminum wheels on the sedan and four-door hatchback, along with cruise control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, heated seats, tachometer, leather-wrapped wheel, tilt and telescopic column, fog lamps, heated mirrors and rear-seat head restraints. Stand-alone options include an automatic transmission, front side seat airbags, alarm system, leather-trimmed seats, six-CD/MP3 stereo and power sunroof.

The ST adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, performance-tuned suspension with rear stabilizer bar, sport seats, six-CD/MP3 stereo, and silver-faced instrument cluster surround with tachometer. Stand-alone options include front seat side airbags, alarm system, sport seats with Preferred Suede inserts, and power sunroof.

The Focus handles surprisingly well, it has decent acceleration with good fuel mileage, its size works well in the city and prices have dropped from 2006. The base model is very base, but it’s nice that this low-cost package can be had in sedan configuration as well as a two-door hatchback. Still, this model is getting quite long in the tooth, and it’s hard to forget that the version European buyers get is based on the superb platform that also slips under the Mazda3.