2000 Ford Focus Interior & Suspension Review

Cabin ambience is solidly German import in design. Think new Jetta, and you're almost there. But getting comfortable behind this wheel is easier. There's lots of telescopic and tilt adjustment in the steering column. At speed, the low-friction steering allows communication with the road for slip and grip info with just the right touch of boost and a crisp turn-in. Lane changes are fun. Besides front airbags, our car was also equipped with optional front-passenger, side-impact bags.

The Focus feels spacious inside, despite being slightly narrower and a tad longer than the old Escort sedan. This impression is likely a result of the car's higher roofline and the elevated position of the wide and supportive seat cushions. Full-size adults also fit easily into the back of this sedan. But if cargo space is needed, the rear-seat cushion folds against the front seatbacks, and the backrest folds down, opening into the trunk.

At first glance, the front suspension isn't too sophisticated. But the engineers who designed it did their geometry and worked at taking "stiction" (sticking and friction) out of every sliding element. The result is an ability to glide over small irregularities that normally cause harsh thumps and bumps in small cars.

Ford calls its pressed-steel, multi-link rear-ride arrangement a "control-blade" suspension. "The independent rear provides a lot of flexibility in balancing both ride comfort and control," says Kammerer. "We don't need to compromise the driving dynamics to get the plushness."