2015 Ford Focus Titanium Package With Navigation

The well-rounded 2015 Ford Focus remains a top choice in an increasingly competitive segment. This year's thorough makeover makes it even more appealing. Ford may not have always had the strongest entries in the compact car segment, but the company's Focus sedan and hatchback have been steadily improving in regard to looks, features and performance. The car's ascent continues in 2015, as both body styles receive a restyled hood, grille, trunk lid and available LED signature lighting. Inside, the materials and dash layout have been improved, and for those in cold climates, there's now an available heated steering wheel. Although the standard four-cylinder engine and choice of two transmissions remain unchanged on the 2015 Ford Focus, there is an entirely new turbocharged three-cylinder "EcoBoost" engine. It replaces the previously optional SFE package (the high-mileage version of the Focus in previous years) and promises to be a fuel economy leader in the segment. While Ford's engineers were at it, they also recalibrated the Focus' suspension, made a rearview camera standard and brought a slew of new safety options to the stalwart compact including blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warnings. Finally, the automated parallel parking system returns and Ford's Sync and MyFord Touch infotainment controls benefit from another iteration of improvement and refinement. As before, the 2015 Focus is offered in a variety of trim levels and as either a four-door sedan or hatchback, so it is likely to appeal to a wide variety of buyers. There's also an EV version, the Focus Electric, which provides about 75 miles of pure electric range that can be recharged in about four hours from a 240-volt power source. Still not something here for you? Well, there's also an especially sporty version, the Focus ST, that's covered in a separate review. Though this year's updates have boosted the Focus's already admirable levels of refinement and equipment availability, there are a few other cars in the compact sedan class that are equally worthy of consideration. Chief among these is the 2015 Mazda 3, which is also available in sedan and hatchback body styles, and stands out for its fuel economy, sharp handling and user-friendly electronics. Other smart choices include the stalwart 2015 Honda Civic, the value-rich 2015 Kia Forte and the sophisticated 2015 Volkswagen Golf. All received Edmunds.com "A" ratings, and although we have yet to rate a 2015 Focus, its "A"-rated predecessor provides a pretty good indication that this new and improved version will also be among the class leaders.