Vehicle Profile: 2014 Ford Focus

New luxury features, advanced technology and a new appearance package for 2014
The 2014 Ford Focus, available here at Antelope Valley Ford Lincoln Mazda in Lancaster, California, delivers an incredible balance of quality, value,
 style, performance, safety and affordability, which is one reason U.S. News editors ranked it third out of 22 “Affordable Compact Cars,” ahead of strong competition that included the Chevy Cruze; VW Golf, Jetta and Jetta Hybrid; Honda Civic and Insight; Toyota Corolla; Scion xB and tC; Dodge Dart; and Subaru Impreza.

The five-passenger 2014 Ford Focus (MSRP starting at $16,310), available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles and a variety of trim levels, offers new available luxury and technology features – like Active Park Assist and heated leather upholstery – that aren’t usually found in the compact car segment. A new SE Sport Appearance Package includes special sport cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and an available rear spoiler.

Under the hood lies a gutsy and fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection and Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT). The 2.0-liter engine puts down 160 hp and 146 lb/ft of torque to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed PowerShift® automatic with available SelectShift® and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The premium Focus Titanium trim is available with the five-speed manual and a special handling package tailor-made for driving enthusiasts. Buyers who opt for the ultra-high efficiency SFE Package will be rewarded with an EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway. Active grille shutters significantly reduce wind resistance to a remarkable 0.295 coefficient of drag (Cd), for maximum fuel efficiency, and also minimize wind noise for a quiet cabin environment.

Built on a chassis proven on the World Rally Circuit (WRC), the Ford Focus is balanced and nimble with superior handling. A rack-and-pinion Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system not only improves engine efficiency, it also delivers an effortless and connected feel that makes carving the back roads a pleasure.

The Focus features a host of smart technologies not found in other cars in its segment. With the touch of a button, Active Park Assist locates a parking spot (using ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance to the curb and the space between parked cars) and can parallel park the vehicle. Without ever touching the steering wheel, the driver can sit back and relax while the Focus parallel parks itself, all within 24 seconds. The driver just has to work the pedals and shift.

All occupants will appreciate the high-quality interior of the Focus. After evaluating the new Focus, Edmunds editors wrote, “While the handsome exteriors of this sedan and hatchback might hook you initially, it’s the upscale cabin that will reel you into the focus Fold. The interior is attractive and quiet, and the materials are among the best in this class.”

The SYNC® with MyFord Touch voice-controlled connectivity system helps drives stay focused on the road. An eight-inch touch-screen display with 10-speaker Sony sound system, Wi-Fi connectivity, text-to-voice capability, HD Radio™ with iTunes tagging and a voice-activated navigation system are all available features on the Focus, making it one of the most technologically advanced cars in its class. Titanium trims offer additional features that include a rearview camera, remote starting with keyless ignition and rear parking sensors.

Both the sedan and hatchback comfortably seat five passengers, and the hatchback delivers the added bonus of 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. For maximum cargo capacity, the 60/40-split second row can be folded flat, creating maximum capacity of 44.8 cubic feet of space.

The Ford Focus is also loaded with a long list of standard safety features, including AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control, front and side airbags including side-curtain airbags, four-wheel Antilock Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and anti-theft engine immobilizer. The Focus is also one of the few vehicles in any segment to earn the new “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Since its launch in 1998, more than 10 million drivers worldwide have chosen the Ford Focus, a testament to its outstanding quality and value. The Ford Focus does everything so well that competitors have a hard time keeping pace. In short, it’s one of the best automotive values going.

There’s a 2014 Ford Focus to fit every budget and lifestyle––including an electric model––so stop in today and see which one you like best.