Ford Focus Zetec 2006 Review

7-day Test

Ford has thrown so much into the new Focus it makes sense to try hone its potential.

The sports-oriented Zetec model makes the most of Focus' proficient 2.0-litre Duratec and handling qualities, turning out a simmering, if not hot, hatch for around $28k. That's cheap, considering Focus' comfort levels and what it can cost to look good.

Above the Focus mid-way LX model, Zetec gets sports suspension, body kit and sports instrumentation. As noted in CarPoint's launch review, Zetec's suspension is 10mm lower than the CL, LX and Ghia models, with stiffer springs and dampers. The body kit with front airdam, rear spoiler and side skirts suits Focus' angular styling and by 'sports instrumentation' Ford means fashionable, not would-be rally car functional.

The Zetec also offers options like alloy finish handbrake, and door sill scuff plates to jazz-up effect. Interior sports trim confirms you're in a more sharply dressed Focus.

Focus is a versatile hatch, very livable for its size and comfort, and even driver reward. Apart from efficient runabout, Focus hasn't been dumbed-down like some others in class and boasts sharp, communicative steering which is very involving, almost weighty.

Focus' stiffened chassis and minimal body roll inspires crisp cornering and the rear will follow unfazed. Zetec's standard five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels managed broken road surfaces well and Focus is even more agile with the enhanced suspension fit-out. Ride is more rigid but quiet and not harsh.

Yet for all the hyped handling qualities and Duratec's durability, Ford hasn't really sharpened this Focus. In this guise Focus Zetec gives the impression it offers a spirited ride but it won't, performance-wise, any more than the other Focus MkII models. The 2.0-litre four rated at 107kW does the 'round-town runs efficiently but is no sports star, running out of puff well before redline (6000rpm).

Sure, it's responsive off the mark if you plant your foot (even grunty through first and second) but it needs ‘rowing along’ to try out that German-engineered steering and handling at anything more than city street speeds.

Luckily the five-speed manual is Focus' stand-out feature. This gearbox feels solid into a very close pattern that implies a sporty edge, and behaves well, if a little noisy as it 'clunks' into selections.

The ratio spread suits demands for efficiency. Ford says 7.1lt/100km: we got 8.4 but were more interested in uncovering Focus' more 'sporty' capabilities in its Zetec form to be fair.

Dealing with no foot rest in the manual model becomes annoying before too long and there's little room elsewhere to ensure long-term Focus owners won't develop the habit of resting their foot on the clutch pedal. And as we found with the Ghia model, the current four-speed auto on offer for Focus would only further dull Zetec's efforts. Don't forget to mention the keylock bonnet release while you're at the mechanic's, either…

Ford says the Zetec was created "with performance in mind". Despite this, it's no more powerful than the baser CL and LX models. If performance is your focus, you'll need to wait for Ford's answer in the turbocharged, 2.5-litre five-cylinder Focus XR5 with six-speed, coming soon.