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2010 Ford Focus Features Review

November 6, 2009

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The upgraded stereo ... was a surprise in an entry-level car
Cars.com

It's the SYNC system that really sets it apart from all of its competitors
Kelley Blue Book

Available features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote engine start
ConsumerGuide

In terms of features, the 2010 Ford Focus is hard to top with its long list of tech-heavy offerings that shine in the economy car segment.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the base S model is a somewhat stripped-down vehicle, as is to be expected, though by the time you get up to the range-topping SEL trim, the 2010 Ford Focus presents a rather desirable package.
Edmunds notes that the base S includes "air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, rear defogger [and] intermittent wipers," along with the new MyKey system. Moving up to the Ford Focus SE brings "power mirrors (sedan), heated power mirrors (coupe)," and full power accessories, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, according to ConsumerGuide. For the top-end Ford Focus 2010 models, Kelley Blue Book says that "moving up to the SES and SEL adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, fog lamps and the slick SYNC in-car communications system."

The SYNC system is available on the SE model as an option, but not available on the base S model.  SYNC earns high marks from reviewers, with Cars.com reporting that it "allows drivers to integrate their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones into the system so they can use just one button and voice prompts to play their music or use their cell phone. It can even read text messages aloud." The SYNC system has been updated for the 2010 Ford Focus to receive real-time traffic reports and turn-by-turn directions, making the system even more functional and impressive.

With so many standard features, most people will not likely to dip into the options list if they are opting for the higher trim levels. However, the 2010 Ford Focus does offer some interesting options, such as the upgraded nine-speaker stereo that can be had with SES and SEL trim models. Cars.com says the upgraded stereo "showed a lot of range—rock, rap, and pop all sounded good—and was a surprise in an entry-level car." On the lower end of the spectrum, Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2010 Ford Focus "SE offers the Driver's Group Package (cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, electrochromatic rear-view mirror) and the Moon and Tune Package (power moonroof and audiophile sound system with six-disc CD/MP3 changer)."

Conclusion

The higher-trimmed 2010 Focus comes with a plethora of standard equipment, but there are still options available for those buying lower trim models.

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:The upgraded stereo ... was a surprise in an entry-level carCars.comIt's the SYNC system that really sets it apart from all of its competitorsKelley Blue BookAvailable features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote engine startConsumerGuide In terms of features, the 2010 Ford Focus is hard to top with its long list of tech-heavy offerings that shine in the economy car segment. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the base S model is a somewhat stripped-down vehicle, as is to be expected, though by the time you get up to the range-topping SEL trim, the 2010 Ford Focus presents a rather desirable package. Edmunds notes that the base S includes "air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, rear defogger [and] intermittent wipers," along with the new MyKey system. Moving up to the Ford Focus SE brings "power mirrors (sedan), heated power mirrors (coupe)," and full power accessories, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, according to ConsumerGuide. For the top-end Ford Focus 2010 models, Kelley Blue Book says that "moving up to the SES and SEL adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, fog lamps and the slick SYNC in-car communications system." The SYNC system is available on the SE model as an option, but not available on the base S model.  SYNC earns high marks from reviewers, with Cars.com reporting that it "allows drivers to integrate their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones into the system so they can use just one button and voice prompts to play their music or use their cell phone. It can even read text messages aloud." The SYNC system has been updated for the 2010 Ford Focus to receive real-time traffic reports and turn-by-turn directions, making the system even more functional and impressive. With so many standard features, most people will not likely to dip into the options list if they are opting for the higher trim levels. However, the 2010 Ford Focus does offer some interesting options, such as the upgraded nine-speaker stereo that can be had with SES and SEL trim models. Cars.com says the upgraded stereo "showed a lot of range—rock, rap, and pop all sounded good—and was a surprise in an entry-level car." On the lower end of the spectrum, Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2010 Ford Focus "SE offers the Driver's Group Package (cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, electrochromatic rear-view mirror) and the Moon and Tune Package (power moonroof and audiophile sound system with six-disc CD/MP3 changer)." ConclusionThe higher-trimmed 2010 Focus comes with a plethora of standard equipment, but there are still options available for those buying lower trim models. 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:

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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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