The 2017 Ford Focus is offered in four different trim levels. The lineup starts with the S trim that offers limited features for you. It gets 15-inch steel wheels, a tilt and telescopic steering, a SYNC entertainment system, a rearview camera, and air-conditioning. As we move ahead for the SE and SEL trims, we get an optional engine, stylish appearance, onboard technology, and other entertainment features. The top-end Titanium trim adds premium convenience and safety features to the package.

What trim should you buy?

If you are looking for a low-budget sedan, then you should go for the SE trim. It costs just $18,175 where you get a fuel-efficient Ecoboost powertrain, painted aluminum wheels, a SiriusXM radio, and MyKey system. You can even avail the optional packages to get a better experience with your Ford Focus SE.

The Ford Focus is known for its sensible and refined powertrain. We have a 2.0L GDI 4 cylinder engine with flex-fuel capabilities. It has an amazing power output of 160 hp which is quite something for a $16,000 sedan. With that, you have a 146 lb-ft torque where the engine is mated to a 5-Speed manual transmission

With the SEL trim, you get a 6-Speed automatic transmission. There's a humble powertrain as well with the Ford Focus. The SE trims entertain a 123 hp 1.0L Ecoboost 3 cylinder engine with 125 lb-ft torque. It has a 6-Speed manual transmission as standard. The drivetrain of the choice remains FWD for both the powertrain options. 

The 160hp motor on the Ford Focus won't put surprising performance numbers on the table. Still, its 8.6 second 0-60 mph sprint is not bad. It takes twice that to complete a quarter-mile. With the humble 123 hp motor, it takes 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph.

The Ford Focus is the cheapest sedan in the segment. Still, it offers the maximum power output to compete with its rivals. The turbo-powered rivals such as the Chevy Cruze and the Volkswagen Jetta are far better performers and accelerate quicker. The sluggish Nissan Sentra is the only car behind the Focus. However, Sentra managed to outperform the 123 hp SE trim of the Focus.

How well does the 2017 Ford Focus Sedan handle?

Being a compact car, the Ford Focus is designed to perform in a fun manner. What makes it worth it is its decent comfort levels and remarkable ride quality. The electric power steering feels light and provides maneuverability in traffic and tight spots. For highways, it becomes both quiet and refined.

The brake actuated limited-slip differential is one of the gadgets the Focus hides up its sleeve. The short and long arm rear suspension is made to give it a balanced ride. Further, you have an electronic stability control to manage the weight on all four wheels. With such handling and dynamics, it still feels sluggish with its powertrain.

2017 Ford Focus Braking Performance

For safer braking, the 2017 Ford Focus Sedan comes with front disc brakes as standard. With that, you have an anti-lock braking system, vented discs, brake assistance, and hill hold assist. You get 10.9-inch brake rotors at the front with much smaller 9.0-inch drums at the back. With its 2,939 pounds weight, the Focus sedan takes 125 feet to stop from a speed of 60 mph.

As compared to the rivals, Focus has smaller brakes. Also, it weighs more than some of its rivals. The Nissan Sentra on the other hand is lighter and comes with bigger brake rotors. That's why it was quicker in terms of stopping distance. It is followed by the Volkswagen Jetta and Chevy Cruze respectively.

The purpose of the Ford Focus in the entry-level segment was to fill the shoes of a cheap and economical car. It does it very well with its fuel efficiency. The 160hp Focus isn't the best, still, it offers 25 MPG in the city, which reaches 34 MPG on the highway. With a combined 28 MPG, it has a good enough range of 421 miles.

To give you the best in the class economy, Ford also offers a 1.0L Ecoboost engine. The I3 motor is good for a great 30 miles to the gallon in the city. It gets better on the highway with 40 MPG. It offers 34 MPG combined. However, the 12.4-gallon tank is a letdown for the ones who want to hit the road for a holiday.

In its segment, the Ford Focus is outperformed by the Volkswagen Jetta in terms of economy with the base engine. When the I3 kicks in, the Focus climbs the top spot. There's no other car in the segment that can offer 30 MPG in the city. Even the beloved Chevy Cruze offers only 28 MPG. So if you want a bit of performance, there's the 160hp for you. For the ones who want to go all economic, they should pick the 123 hp I3. Still, the fuel tank could've been bigger.

Ford won't take advantage of you by using cheap quality components inside the Focus. The 2017 Ford Focus Sedan may cost you less, still it offers decent quality inside even with the base trim. As for the higher trims that cost more, the Focus turns itself into a premium car. The cabin is both elegant and spacious. In terms of outward visibility, the Focus is amazing.

Hop inside and you'll see how the third generation is growing with its stylish design and a mild sporty layout. The higher trims get a dual gauge cluster with an information display that looks premium. The instrument panel is filled with controls for the infotainment and the HVAC. The best thing about the Focus is its leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For the front passengers, we have cloth bucket seats with manual seating adjustments. If you want better comfort, you can either avail the comfort package or the Titanium trim to get heated leather sports seats with an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. For the rear, you have a 60/40 split-bench seat but with limited legroom.

The cabin features are limited for the entry-level trims where you get a tilt and telescopic steering and an air filtration system. The higher trims add cruise control, a heated steering wheel, voice-activated dual-zone air-conditioning, adjustable/removable head restraints, and a 1st-row panoramic sunroof

The Ford Focus is not a complete sedan as it lacks basic practicality. Ford claims that it has a seating capacity of 5 but the rear seat is cramped with low legroom and is good for 2 passengers. However, there's no such problem with the front seat as you get proper comfort and premium features.

Even the trunk is limited to 13.2 cubic feet of space. In terms of design and quality, the Ford Focus is a nice car to have under $25,000. In comparison to the rivals, the Focus is the least practical sedan in the segment. The Volkswagen Jetta takes the lead with its most spacious cabin and huge trunk space. Highlight interior features in the 2017 Ford Focus are:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Dual gauge cluster with a TFT display
• Heated leather sport seats
• Heated leather steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Tilt and telescopic steering
• Dual-zone air-conditioning

What's there to keep you entertained?

For the entry-level trims, the 2020 Ford Focus comes with a SYNC Communications and Entertainment System. It is a 4.2-inch LCD display that can be operated via the physical controls at the center. It offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity, with an AM/FM radio and an in-dash CD player. For music, you have four speakers with speed-sensitive volume control.

The higher trims get a much better SYNC 3 infotainment with a bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen display that supports voice command. It adds features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's a 6 month SiriusXM radio subscription as well. The infotainment is connected to a Sony premium audio system with 10 speakers. Highlight infotainment features in the 2017 Ford Focus are:

• SYNC 3 Communications and Entertainment
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• 8.0-inch Infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM radio subscription
• Sony premium audio system

The third-generation Ford Focus received major upgrades over time to make the design more and more appealing. With its 2014 facelift, it offered a sportier design with Ford's new signature grille and redesigned headlamps. The Focus started offering a more streamlined sedan design.

The 2017 Focus has a huge mesh grille highlighted with chrome accents. The new slimline headlamps are aligned with the sporty hood lines. You can even avail DRLs and fog lamps with the top trims. Ford has carried over a similar side profile with the facelift version but with wider wheel arches.

With a new sloping front fascia, the Ford Focus has an updated rear as well. Ford has ditched the lifted-back design to give it a simple sedan appearance. With reworked tail lamps, the rear looks pretty much the same where the Titanium trim gets a wing spoiler. The Focus looks its best with the 17-inch aluminum alloys.

In terms of length, the Ford Focus is smaller than the rivals which justify its tight trunk space. Its muscular design makes it one of the heaviest cars in its segment. The height isn't much but still, it looks sportier than the rivals. With a low ground clearance, it may not be suitable for rough roads. Highlight exterior features in the 2017 Ford Focus are:

• Mesh grille with chrome accents
• Chrome exterior accents
• Premium colors
• Automatic headlamps with DRLs
• Wing rear spoiler
• 18-inch machine painted aluminum alloys

The advanced safety structure of the 2017 Ford Focus Sedan is a result of ultra-high-strength steel construction. Ford has constructed a safety cage around the passengers with multiple crumple zones. It was tested by the NHTSA where it scored 5 stars. However, IIHS considered the front overlap as acceptable, not good.

For its class, Ford offers decent safety tech. It offers electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a backup camera as standard. The higher trims add parking sensors and a MyKey top speed limiter. The technology package brings in the blind spot monitor, lane-keeping alert, and automatic high beams. Standout safety features in the 2017 Ford Focus are:

• Ultra high-strength steel structure
• Backup camera
• Parking sensors
• MyKey top speed limiter
• Blindspot monitor
• Lane-keeping alert

2017 Ford Focus Sedan vs 2017 Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze is a substitute for those who want a better value at a slightly higher price. The Cruze even offers better acceleration and economy. Chevy has been ahead of Ford in terms of comfort and quality however, the Ford Focus isn't a regular Ford as it offers various premium features and options. On top of that, it even has a different powertrain for best in class economy. Moreover, its infotainment and sound system is one of the best in the segment.

2017 Ford Focus Sedan vs 2017 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is considered a reliable car for the ones who prefer Japanese reliability. Of course for the performance, the Sentra is not the best with its base engines but higher trims with bigger engines prove to be exciting and performance-friendly. In terms of seating comfort and features, both the cars are similar. Still, the Ford Focus is ahead with its convenience and safety options whereas the Sentra has limited safety features.

2017 Ford Focus Sedan vs 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is the toughest rival of the Ford Focus. It is the most practical and performance-packed sedan in the segment. It seems simple at first with its elegant German design. With proper seating space, the Jetta is a proper family sedan. However, the Ford Focus is a bit more charming with all the features it has to offer like- a Sony sound system, a sporty layout, and the handling of a sportier car.

The Ford Focus is one of the cheapest cars offered by Ford. With every generation, the Focus brings something new and special. The performance with the standard sedan is nothing to write home about as it is simply made for commuting and regular driving. Being an affordable sedan, the Ford Focus doesn't seem cheap if we look at the quality and features. With the revised trim lineup and 2 powertrains, it is still a nice car to have. The 2017 Ford Focus Sedan may not satisfy you with its performance but it will surely impress you with the fuel economy, interior features, and safety.