2006 Ford Focus Hatchback

Capable of going toe-to-toe with the imports in the areas of handling, fuel economy and styling, the Ford Focus is one of the few domestic compacts that has captured the coveted youth market. Offered as a three-door and five-door hatchback, a four-door sedan and a five-door wagon, the Focus clearly has the models to offer wide appeal to consumers. It features a large interior with good headroom, a roomy cargo hold and cutting-edge audio options. The Focus falls short in one crucial area: power. Though the ZX4 sedan is equipped with the zippy 2.3-liter engine shared with the Mazda 3s, the sporty ZX3 and ZX5 have their wings clipped, offering the same uninspired 2.0-liter engine as the base model Focus.