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2000-2004 Ford Focus
Date Published: 11/23/08

2000-2004 Ford Focus
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Price Range:
$1,900 - 8,100

Class:
Compact Car
2000-2004 Ford Focus
Expert Rating Summary
Category
Ford Focus LX sedan Rating
Performance 3
Fuel Economy 7
Ride Quality 4
Steering/Handling/Braking 5
Quietness 4
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 5
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 8
Total Score: 51
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model
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2000-2004 Ford Focus Review
Named Car of the Year in Europe in 1999, Ford's subcompact premium Focus arrived in North America as a 2000 model. Slightly larger than the fading Escort, the Focus came in three body styles: hatchback coupe in sporty ZX3 trim; four-door sedan in LX, SE, and top-of-the-line ZTS form; and as a 4-door SE station wagon. Compared to the Escort, the new Focus was 3 inches taller and about 4.5 inches longer, in both wheelbase and overall size. A 110-horsepower version of the Escort's single-cam 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine went into LX and SE models. Standard in the ZTS and ZX3, optional for SE, was a 130-hp twincam 2.0-liter four, as used in the Escort-based ZX2 coupe. Both engines teamed with either 5-speed manual shift or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Rear child-seat anchors were installed, and head/chest front side airbags were optional. Antilock brakes were standard on the ZTS, optional on others. Head/chest front side airbags were optional. During the 2000 model year, a special Sony Edition joined the Focus lineup.
Year to Year Changes
2001 Ford Focus: Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid control system became optional in the Focus's second season, intended to counter skids in turns. Combined with all-disc brakes, it was available for the ZTS and ZX3. The ZX3 got a newly optional Premium Group, and its Power Group added power locks and remote entry. Powertrain choices were shuffled a bit. The 110-hp engine remained standard in LX and SE sedans. The 130-hp twincam four was standard in the SE wagon as well as the ZTS and ZX3, and optional in the SE sedan. Previously offered only with automatic, wagons could now have a manual transmission.
2002 Ford Focus: Focus added a new body style, a sport-trim wagon, and a sporty SVT variant for 2002. The SVT came only as a 2-dr hatchback with manual transmission and included a sport suspension and 17-inch wheels. A new ZTW wagon had standard leather upholstery, fog lights, and 16-inch wheels. Newly optional on higher-line models was an antiskid system that included ABS and traction control. A sunroof and 6-disc in-dash CD player were other new options.
2003 Ford Focus: Ford added a 4-door hatchback version of the sporty SVT. New options included an MP3 player and hi-intensity discharge headlamps on the SVT.
2004 Ford Focus: Standard on top-trim models was a new 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that made 145 horsepower. It mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The optional antiskid system that was added in 2001, was no longer available.
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