I was able to get a more thorough test drive a month ago when I test drove it back-to-back with a Golf TDI, and this time it was a Titanium hatchback model so it came with more goodies and sport suspension/tires, although the MSRP was an eye-watering $28,700 US. I want to like this car, but ultimately there were a couple issues that bugged me.
1. 5-speed manual. Many other cars offered a 6-speed today, and the compromise in gearing shows in the Ford. It's not horrid, but around town, it's more difficult to squirt in and out of traffic because the gaps between gears are larger and thus you have to be in the right gear before executing a quick lane change or merge. And given that I do a lot of prolonged highway driving (120-140km/h, sometimes faster), 5th gear is too short and revs too high for comfort and fuel consumption.
2. Like the article mentioned, interior room is tight. I'm not tall at all (1,73m) but the rear seat passengers better be children or else headroom is gonna be a real issue. Not much comfort upfront either in terms of space. Also, no rear vents for the passengers, something the Golf has.
3. No xenon headlights available, once again, available on the Golf (US). Deal-killer for me; I drive rural roads at speed at night.
Given the Focus' price right near the Golf TDI, the latter is a better car and a better deal, plus has superior fuel consumption and emissions figures. Ford in the US offers a bunch of incentives to move the Focus but unless they can fix the options packaging and not force consumers to buy a top-end model to get sport suspension and summer tires, I don't see it being a sales-winner. Pity too, because it drives very well and has good road-manners in a good all-round package. I hear rumours of an even better, 1 litre engine coming in the near future with Stop-Start tech.
