2012 ford focus

compact - sedan

​            It’s been a long time coming but it finally has happened.  Ford has finally redone the Focus for the world market, not just the European market.

     Up front they have made some strides in refining and improving the look and appeal, but they still have missed the bus in some areas.  The headlights are a massive improvement, but they still come off being a bit too big.  If you bring down the bubble to more of a slit look, the front end would be a bit more evil and a lot less common.  The windshield does allow for great visibility but it does appear a bit too tall.  To bring this down you would have to drop the hood.  This would help add more sport appeal and bring down the cookie cutter bubble look of the Focus.  One of the biggest areas of change to the front would be the front grill.  This is one area where it seems that someone forgot about the flow of features.  It seems that this car has a broken grill, but a further investigation shows us that the grill is split into three.  If you bring all the pieces together, decrease its size, and add some chrome accents, you would have a nice looking front grill.  The only other problem with the front end would be that the fog lights are very well done in the design department, but the do not flow with the car.  They should be pushed inward or have a completely different outer design.  Up front the new Focus is a lot better than what we last had (in North America), but it still does lack a game changing face.

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​            Out back Ford has made it clear that the new Focus is here to change the game.  Yes it is hard to believe that with a front end which needs change, that the rear end could be something to make the competition think.  Yes there are still problems with the rear, but still not as many as up front.  One thing that could be changed are the wings on the tail lights.  Wings are nice, but only if you want to fly, and this car does not look like it is going to fly.  Ford could try and show some of the exhaust, instead of hiding it under the very noticeable bumper.  Putting more emphasis on the exhaust can make a car appear more masculine and appeal to the aftermarket crowd.  When you put on a sport exhaust, its always nice when you don’t have to cut out a whole in your rear bumper.  The ducktail rear spoiler is a nice touch and is blended into the rear very well.  This creates a coupe like rear end, which adds some sport appeal.

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              Moving along to the side of the car we notice that Ford did make one great move for this little car.  They have added the perfect sized rims with a great design.  This has moved the Focus up a notch in the cool meter.  Now onto the windows where we notice that front of the side window seems a bit too low for this car.  If brought up you would lose some of your visibility, but the design would flow a bit better.  The wheel flares a great up front but they could come in a bit out back.  They seem a bit too much and could have been a bit smaller.  Along the side we notice that the bodyline breaks into three separate parts.  This is done well for the design, since there are a lot of curves. ​

​            Overall the new Focus comes off as a very fast, cookie cutter, bubble car.  Yes the outline of the new Focus is very well known and could be used a cookie cutter.  We all know that cookies are good, but when it comes to cars, its never good to be a cookie cutter.  One thing the Focus is in dire need of, is some chrome.  Yes chrome would help bring out some more luxury in this little car, and maybe bring up the overall appeal.  The new focus does come off as a cheap little bubble car, and when your trying to lead a segment, you need something better than a crowd pleaser.  Overall the new Focus is more improved over the previous model, but it still needs some changes to make it more of a wow car.

​Front End = D+
                Good – Headlights, Hood line
                Bad – Grill, Fog Lights, Spoiler

Rear End = C
              Good – Tail lights, Rear Spoiler
            Bad – Exhaust, Name Placement

Side = B-
            Good – Wheel Size and Rims
            Bad – Rear Wheel Flares, Noticeable Fuel Port

Overall Appeal = D+
            Good – Sport Appeal, Holds its Ground
            Bad – Cookie Cutter, Use of Chrome

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COMPETITION:

Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Hyundai Elantra
Chevrolet Cruze
Subaru Impreza
Peugeot 408
Opel Astra
Dodge Dart