STYLING | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The new Focus is handsome.
Car and Driver
Gone is the somewhat tall and skinny form we're used to, replaced instead with more aggressive proportions and a ready stance.
Edmunds' Inside Line
at the sharp end of the pack, making even the Germans seem tired and empty of fresh ideas
Edmunds
swanky vibe
Consumer Guide
From the exterior, there's no mistaking the 2012 Ford Focus for a flat-line commuter
Autoblog
There are two body styles—a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback—as well as several trims to cover a wide range of expectations, but the Focus tends to look at its best in top Titanium trim, where all the details are well coordinated.
From the outside, the sheetmetal contains a mix of creases and curves, while the rather aggressive front-end design and thin front grille are a new Ford design trait shared with the 2013 Escape. The rising beltline is to be expected in this class, but the bulging fenders in front and in back echo the arching roofline and create a very dynamic look from the outside. There's even a subtle curve that runs from the headlights all the way to the taillights, just below the beltline, and a sharper crease that starts after the front wheelwell and runs through the door handles. Taillamps are huge and form much of the rear corners on both vehicles.
The instrument-panel design doesn't at all hold back inside. Some might find it a bit too swoopy and overstyled (and it does impinge on space a bit more than it should), but the vertically-oriented vents and pleasant surface scrulpting give it a look and feel that's original and complex--a definite plus in a crowded class of look-alike small cars.
Trims and finishes look classy and inviting, and there's a nicely tailored look to the entire interior that extends to door trim and even seats; tturquoise-colored gauge pointers are another nice touch.
Conclusion
With sweeping curves and crisp detailing, the 2013 Ford Focus is an extrovert inside and out.
