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2010 Ford Focus Review

November 6, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting
Kelley Blue Book

Well-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controls
ConsumerGuide

Gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at all
Cars.com

It's been two years since Ford's complete redesign of the Focus, but the fresh styling cues and the fantastic interior are still appealing aspects of the car—though some find the exterior design to be a little bit unconventional.

Although it hasn't exactly caused the motoring press to swoon, there are some redeeming features of the 2010 Focus' styling. While the Coupe model was redesigned last year, the "gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at all," according to Cars.com. Similarly, reviewers at Jalopnik are not impressed with "what the Dearborn-based automaker calls a 'sporty new look.' We call it lipstick." Despite the lack of enthusiasm in its last redesign, Ford also gives the newest SES sedan a "euro-look fascia" taken from the Coupe, along with dark chrome on the grille, headlamps, and taillights. Overall, Autoblog says that with the styling tweaks made to the Focus Coupe's previous redesign, it "has surely lost its visual luster, but that's a good thing from a design standpoint."

Kelley Blue Book reviewers report that "base S models come with 15-inch steel wheels; the SE gets alloy rims of the same size." New for 2010, buyers of the SE models can also request a decklid spoiler and fog lamps. This year, the SEL variants still come with 16-inch rims, but both the SES Coupe and Sedan models now receive 17-inchers.

There are also three new colors available for the 2010 Focus: Natural Neutral, Blue Flame, and Ingot Silver.

While the exterior may not get the most inspiring reviews, the opposite can be said of the 2010 Ford Focus' interior cabin, which remains much the same as last year's model. ConsumerGuide praises the "well-arranged dashboard [that] has mostly intuitive and handy controls," although the gauges "can be hard to read in changing lighting conditions" and the new moonroof option available for 2010 can restrict headroom. Cars.com is also impressed, finding that the "striking, winged dashboard draws the eyes immediately." Kelley Blue Book adds that one of the benefits of the more mature dashboard design is that it offers "improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting." Autoblog laments that the Focus still features a "T-shaped swath of silver plastic...with clearly laid out controls for the stereo and HVAC placed front and center."

Conclusion

The 2010 Ford Focus returns with confusing and muddled exterior looks, but all is forgiven for the gorgeous cabin.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlightingKelley Blue BookWell-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controlsConsumerGuideGawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at allCars.com It's been two years since Ford's complete redesign of the Focus, but the fresh styling cues and the fantastic interior are still appealing aspects of the car—though some find the exterior design to be a little bit unconventional. Although it hasn't exactly caused the motoring press to swoon, there are some redeeming features of the 2010 Focus' styling. While the Coupe model was redesigned last year, the "gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at all," according to Cars.com. Similarly, reviewers at Jalopnik are not impressed with "what the Dearborn-based automaker calls a 'sporty new look.' We call it lipstick." Despite the lack of enthusiasm in its last redesign, Ford also gives the newest SES sedan a "euro-look fascia" taken from the Coupe, along with dark chrome on the grille, headlamps, and taillights. Overall, Autoblog says that with the styling tweaks made to the Focus Coupe's previous redesign, it "has surely lost its visual luster, but that's a good thing from a design standpoint." Kelley Blue Book reviewers report that "base S models come with 15-inch steel wheels; the SE gets alloy rims of the same size." New for 2010, buyers of the SE models can also request a decklid spoiler and fog lamps. This year, the SEL variants still come with 16-inch rims, but both the SES Coupe and Sedan models now receive 17-inchers. There are also three new colors available for the 2010 Focus: Natural Neutral, Blue Flame, and Ingot Silver. While the exterior may not get the most inspiring reviews, the opposite can be said of the 2010 Ford Focus' interior cabin, which remains much the same as last year's model. ConsumerGuide praises the "well-arranged dashboard [that] has mostly intuitive and handy controls," although the gauges "can be hard to read in changing lighting conditions" and the new moonroof option available for 2010 can restrict headroom. Cars.com is also impressed, finding that the "striking, winged dashboard draws the eyes immediately." Kelley Blue Book adds that one of the benefits of the more mature dashboard design is that it offers "improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting." Autoblog laments that the Focus still features a "T-shaped swath of silver plastic...with clearly laid out controls for the stereo and HVAC placed front and center." ConclusionThe 2010 Ford Focus returns with confusing and muddled exterior looks, but all is forgiven for the gorgeous cabin. 2010 FORD FOCUS STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "Improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting" ConsumerGuide: "Well-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controls" Cars.com: "Gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

To put it bluntly, the 2010 Ford Focus is an aging design, up against some very tough, well-updated competition. TheCarConnection.com recently pitted South Korea's Kia Forte against the 2010 Ford Focus and the 2010 Honda Civic, and while it was a close competition, they outperformed the Ford in certain aspects. The Civic also offers more variety than the Focus, with multiple powertrains, including hybrid and natural gas. The 2010 Focus also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling and build quality. Comparatively, the Hyundai Elantra and Dodge Caliber aren't quite up to par compared to the other members in this pack in overall refinement and style. However, since there is no hatchback or wagon model for the Focus, the impressive Mazda3, the Toyota Matrix (which is based on the Corolla), and the Honda Fit could all present viable alternatives to the Focus.

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See the Ford Focus in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Expansion Joints #1, Posted: 11/19/2009

    It's a pedestrian vehicle, but a good one nonetheless.

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