Overview & Reviews

Minor changes are in store for the 2003 Ford Focus. Two new trim levels increase the breadth of prices for Ford's economy car; a base trim for the three door hatchback renders air conditioning optional and only comes with a manual transmission. For the five door hatchback, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, front reading lights and a center console are available when you step up to the comfort trim level from the base level. Heated front seats are a new option, as is a traction control and ABS package. New colors for the exterior brighten up the color palette, and the interior is freshened with two new fabric trims. Finally, a CD/MP3 player is now standard on the ZX3 and ZX5. A SVT version of the ZX5 is also scheduled to appear later in the year.

• Thoughtful ergonomics, large interior, smooth ride, sharp steering, impressive selection of body configurations and features.

User Reviews:

Showing 111 through 120 of 353.00

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  Best Drivering Experience Ever - 2003 Ford Focus
  By markregel - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This car has the best road-feel, steering response and handling of any I have driven. The ride is smooth and composed. Just finished riding a new Nissan Sentra, no way would I trade it for my Focus. The ride was harsh and it sits low, like riding in a hole. Build Quality? I find it to be quite good overall. The ride feels solid on any road. Recalls are great ammunition for those that love to trash this car, but does not in itself mean a poor quality car. All I say to buyes who simply choose "Consumer Reports" top model is "Your Loss" and enjoy your Toyota Echo. I cant imagine an intelligent person taking anything they say seriously.

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  My First Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By 089437620583 - May 27 - 10:00 am

  The company i work for deploys Ford Focus wagons and i drive one 100+ miles each day... So a Focus was my first choise when it came to buying a new car. The car rides super smooth and is really quiet. Its very comfortable and everything is within reach. The guages are easy to read and the 5-speed is very fun. In the department of reliabilaty, not a problem. My work car has been in 3 accidents and the only thing wrong with it squeaky breaks. Nothing has gone wrong with it except for problems that were the result of human error. My car has turned out to be a fun, cheap, reliable car to drive.

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  Great Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By ranran31 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  A Great car to drive and very well designed

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  Fun and practical - 2003 Ford Focus
  By rbsjrx - March 14 - 8:30 pm

  I bought this so I could send my beloved 96 Contour into semi-retirement. Its been a lot of fun to drive, although driving is more work than the Contour. Overall, Im quite satisfied. It can blow away most unmodified Minis which is good enough for me. Handling is excellent, but surprisingly not that much better than my Contour. It feels better, but thats just because of the better support from the Recaro seats. As noted in my Contour review, the Contour is both lower and wider than the Focus, which shows on twisty roads.

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  One COOL commuter - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Charles D - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought a second vehicle to save on gas, and keep the miles down on my F- 150. I havent driven the truck to work once since! The Focus is a kick in the pants to drive. I have really enjoyed all the custom parts and accessories availalbe for it as well. And the best part is that even while driving it with a VERY heavy foot on the accelerator, I am averaging 30.9 mpg with a 50/50 mixture of city and freeway driving.

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  ZX5-Comfort - 2003 Ford Focus
  By RipRiley - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with this vehicle. I got it for the fuel economy and the 100K drive train warranty. But I was surprised how fun the car is to drive. It is the best handling car Ive owned. Ok, here is the MPG scoop. For the first 2000 miles I got a city/highway combined 31 MPG. Since then it has steadily gone up. Now at 8000+ miles I get 35 MPG. That is about 60% highway 40% city. Average highway speed 75 MPH.

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  # 1 - 2003 Ford Focus
  By AlexArgumedo - February 24 - 10:00 am

  The best car i ever drive

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  Ford Focus Wagon SE - 2003 Ford Focus
  By avion - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Nimble handling, excellent controls, steering and brake feel are tremendous. Nice automatic. Lots of room in back.

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  Ford Focus ZX-5 - 2003 Ford Focus
  By avion - January 18 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought an SE Wagon for her. Liked it so much, I tested a 5- speed ZX-5 & found it the nicest manual Ive driven in 30 years. Ford has finally gotten it right, VERY right. This little number handles as nimbly as any sporty car from Italy or Germany I ever owned. Build quality is A-1, styling fresh & space utilization excellent. Engine revs freely & makes lots of nice noises when pushed hard. Only 2 litres, but dump it into 3rd & let her wind up to 4 thou per & she takes off. Car is the most fun Ive had in 20 years, in fact I traded in my Alfa Romeo sedan for it & have absolutley no regrets.

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  Focus ZX3 S2 edition - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Turkish - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought a ZXS S2 edition in September 2001 and it has been great. I set out to purchase a German car but ended up at Ford dealership for a little comparison. I quickly made up my mind that the S2 was going to be the car for me and I have not looked back. Its fun, sexy, and economical. I am six foot 5 and this car fits me great. Seats are awesome and great head room too.