The European heritage of the Focus reveals itself mainly in the car’s crisp cornering ability and its roomy, upright, ergonomically oriented interior. Hatchback models look sharper than the sedans and are practical for carrying cargo.

A ZX3 equipped with the manual gearbox is frisky. It accelerates eagerly from a standstill and is quite spirited for passing and merging. The hatchbacks are highly maneuverable and fun to drive. Smooth clutch action and a gearbox that works fairly easily contribute to driving enjoyment.

Ride comfort is firm but above par, and the suspension deals competently with urban bumps. Despite thick pillars, the long side glass helps visibility in the hatchback. There’s a huge amount of front-seat headroom.