2013 Ford Focus Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Ford Focus earns an above average Total Car Score for the Compact Sedans & Wagons segment. 
 
For 2013, the much-anticipated pocket-rocket Focus ST (reviewed separately) is basking in all sorts of media attention. Meanwhile, the standard-issue Focus, following a complete redesign last year, soldiers on with just a few changes.  
 
Most significant is a reorganization of its trim levels. Gone are the SEL and SE Sport packages; instead the Focus now comes in three models: S (sedan only), SE and Titanium.  
 
While Titanium gets all the high-end gear -- leather upholstery, big alloy wheels, a premium Sony sound system and the option of Active Park Assist -- Ford realized there were Focus buyers out there who wanted a dash of sporty with their luxury. So the manual transmission is now available as an option on the Titanium order sheet.  
 
Reviewers are unanimous in their praise for the Focus, considering it a benchmark for an “economy” car that’s good looking, well appointed and fun to drive, too. The new ST model tips the balance in the fun direction, though buyers looking for a fuel-frugal model can opt for the Super Fuel Economy (SFE) package on the sedan, its aero wheel covers, rear spoiler and low-rolling-resistance tires netting an estimated 40 mpg on the highway.  
 
Complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus are few and centered on the awkward-to-use Sync infotainment system, a lack of rear-seat room, and a somewhat balky Select-Shift automatic transmission that hesitates and stumbles more than it should.

2013 Ford Focus Model Line-Up

The 2013 Ford Focus is a five-passenger front-wheel-drive compact car offered in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles and three trim levels. (Two Focus variants, the high-performance Focus ST and Focus Electric, are reviewed separately.)  
 
Powering the Focus is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.  
 
The Focus sedan is offered in S, SE and Titanium trim levels, while the hatchback is available in SE and Titanium versions. Base S sedan models are equipped with 15-inch steel wheels; cloth upholstery; manual climate control; a tilt/telescope steering wheel; power windows, locks and mirrors, and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system.  
 
SE models add 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, Ford’s Sync voice-activated infotainment system and the MyKey parental control system.  
 
Titanium models feature the automatic transmission as standard equipment (the manual is available as an option) plus 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, Sync with MyFord Touch, push-button start, a backup camera and a premium 10-speaker Sony sound system with HD and satellite radio.  
 
The EPA has found that the 2013 Ford Focus sedan with the Select-Shift automatic and SFE package returns the best fuel economy of the bunch at 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined. Non-SFE models with automatic transmissions aren't far behind at 27/38/31 mpg. With the six-speed manual fuel economy drops to 23/32/26 mpg.

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