2005 Ford Focus Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

The 2005 Ford Focus is a wonderful small car that's fun to drive, frugal with fuel and offered in such a wide variety of configurations it would be hard not to find one that suits your needs.

Pros

Spacious and comfortable interior, fun-to-drive character, sharp steering, smooth ride, impressive selection of body configurations and features.

Cons

Generic interior styling, performance-bargain 2.3-liter engine now limited to ST sedan, can't match competitors' records for quality and reliability.

What's New for 2005

The new model year ushers in some significant changes for the 2005 Ford Focus. Exteriors have been updated with revised fascias and trim, and the car's oddball interior design has been replaced by more sedate and sophisticated furnishings. Last year's diverse engine lineup has been scrapped in favor of an all-new PZEV-rated 2.0-liter power plant good for 136 horsepower. A performance-oriented ST sedan has been added to take the place of the discontinued SVT Focus hatchbacks; it features a 151-hp incarnation of last year's excellent 2.3-liter PZEV engine. The 2.3-liter loses its squeaky-clean PZEV rating, however. In other news, the typically confusing array of trim levels and packages has been organized into logical and consistent trim lines, standardized across all body styles. New audio systems, increased interior storage and tweaked suspension tuning round out this year's midcycle makeover.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Enjoyable Drive

Written by: al on 10/30/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2005 Ford Focus ZX3 SE 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Overall very pleased with my purchase. When looking to buy any model or year of focus be sure to check condition of bottom of doors interior and exterior especially behind rubber gasket that ford loves to use on all focuses. I didn't and was later surprised by the corrosion I found. Consellation is it's relatively minimal and can fix it myself. Ford will not warranty the corrosion even though it's clearly a design flaw. Common problem with the focus according to reviews all over the internet.

Favorite Features

Smooth ride, gear box, responsiveness handling.

Suggested Improvements

Corrosion issue behind rubber molding used on bottom of doors. This is clearly a design flaw.

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Believe

Written by: Believer on 10/17/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	8

2005 Ford Focus ZXW SE 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Bought this wagon used with 32000 miles. It has 52k now. Really a great car for the $$. Maintenance is a breeze, very accessable oil filter, I hand screw on and off. Get 32-34 mpg hwy and 24-26 city. Wagon is great for hauling stuff, I could sleep in if economy totaly folds ;-) It's like a mini minivan/suv that gets 30+ mpg on hwy. Around town easy to park. Don't understand the bad reviews from others but they had bad experiences....I had a 1991 escort before this.....got 200,000 miles on it, and it was still running great when I traded in on this Focus.....Ford is the leader in Europe and Brazil on Fuel effeciency and they sell tons in those countries. I'm a believer.

Fold down rear seat for tons of hauling room, AC blow ice all the time and in Florida you need it. 32/25 mpg great these days and easy of maintenance also great! Cup holders, top luggage rack, 6 CD changer and cruise control all fantastic!

Speakers kind of stink but they're factory.....may replace, other than that I can't believe they stopped making this wagon in 07' Need cheap transportation? Get one.

Great American car!

Written by: Very good choice! on 09/17/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	9

2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Bought my 05 Focus in 06. I have put almost 100,000 miles on it with no major problems.I did have to replace the rack and pinion and wheels after hitting a very bad pot hole (Michigan...)Ford did have to replace the CD player twice, but no problems since it was out of warranty. Drives and handles very nicely. Comfortable and roomy interior for a compact. Great mileage. I average 30 in the city. This is an outstanding vehicle for it's class and price. Good design well worth every penny which is more than can be said for most cars.

Driving performance, Gas mileage, Comfortable and durable seats, Gas mileage and price.

A little quieter on the rd and improved ride (can feel the bumps in the road a little more than larger cars)

Key stuck in ignition

Written by: rebel5386 on 08/06/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

This is an awesome car. I love it. I have 63000 on it, bought it with 35000. I just now had to replace the breaks and a tail light. However, my key won't come out. Its the ignition tumbler, and ford wants 300 at least to fix it. I don't suppose someone knows a way around this? I love this car, its so much fun, I paid too much at the time, but it has been so worth it. I just hate that I can't get my key out. The car starts fine, and turns off fine, its just that the key wont come out. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

I love how little gas it uses, its sporty look and that for a little four cylinder, it really moves!

Why does it have to have so many sensors? Why does a key need a sensor?

Nice car

Written by: T. Dunst on 08/06/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

2005 Ford Focus ZX4 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

98,000 miles so far. Replaced alternator and battery at 60,000 miles. No other problems. 38 mpg. Very fast vehicle, good acceleration. With the manual tranny it is quite sporty and handles well. I will buy another after this one has 200,000 on it. Its been to California (from East Coast) and is my 134 mile a day commuting car.

Economically priced.

Why can't this car get 50 mpg? My 1994 Ford Tempo with the 2.3 engine got 37 mpg hauling 1000 pounds of people and gear.

2005 Ford Focus Consumer Ratings & Reviews