The 2015 Ford Focus->ke440 Sedan looks different, doesn't it? That's because Ford->ke31 really went into detail on giving the sedan->ke142 a refreshed look, at least much more than what you would expect when the word "refresh" is thrown around. But that's been a Blue Oval strategy for the past few years and with that increased emphasis on keeping the car looking as fresh as possible should translate into renewed interest from the market.

In a lot of ways, the 2015 Focus Sedan is the latest example of that because the car is essentially the same save for the new face and a few interior updates. It's hard to go against this strategy because Ford has been doing it in some capacity in the past few years and there have been occassions when other brands have adopted the same mindset.

But the real question is whether all these changes are enough to compel a new wave of buyers to be interested in the Focus Sedan, especially when you consider that it's got some notable rivals in the form of the Honda Civic->ke236 and the Toyota Corolla->ke1039.

Ford's banking on it and to its credit, it's putting a lot of chips on the table to do it.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Focus Sedan.

2015 Ford Focus Sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ford Focus Sedan
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 100
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

It's a little bit of an understatement to say that the 2015 Ford Focus Sedan comes with an entirely new look because at its heart, the treatment is still largely the same. But it does come with some significant alterations that points to Ford's aggressive strategy of incorporating mid-life upgrades to its models.

That's why the 2015 Focus looks a little bit different, particularly in the front where a new hood, a new grille shape and a revised lower fascia make their debuts. The changes are really noticeable to the point where the Focus now looks more in line with its smaller brother, the Fiesta->ke1170.

As for the rear section of the Focus Sedan, new features like the tail lamps and the two-piece trunk lid have been added, although much of the design from last year's model remains virtually intact.

2015 Ford Focus Sedan - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in.)

104.3

Length (in.)

178.5

Height - empty (in.)

57.7

Width (in.) excluding mirrors

71.8

Width (in.) including mirrors

80.5

Width (in.) mirrors folded

74.1

Track width - front/rear (in.)

61.2/60.4


Interior

The interior follows the exterior's treatment, with Ford providing subtle but still meaningful improvements. The revamped center console looks a little cleaner than last year's models, even if the overall configuration remains the same. The seats also look like they've had some work done on them, which could only mean that they ought to be a little more comfortable to sit on.

Other than these upgrades, as well as the reconfigured cup holders on the center stack and the improved Sync voice command system with connected apps, the interior of the 2015 Focus Sedan isn't too different from last year's model.

2015 Ford Focus Sedan - Interior Dimensions

Head Room - Front (in.)

38.3

Head Room - Rear (in.)

38

Shoulder Room - Front (in.)

55.6

Shoulder Room - Rear (in.)

53.7

Hip Room - Front (in.)

53.9

Hip Room - Rear (in.)

52.7

Leg Room - Front (in.)

41.9

Leg Room - Rear (in.)

33.2


Drivetrain

Ford's award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine makes ts way into to the 2015 Focus Sedan, providing an efficient and steady powertrain that should continue to live up to its standing as the winner of the International Engine of the Year back in 2012 and 2013.

It's not going to blow your socks off with its power because with a 100-horsepower output, there's only so much it can really do. But it does offer excellent fuel economy and for a car its size, performance isn't really as important as having a car that drivers can enjoy for long stretches at a time without worrying about finding the nearest gas station.

That's the benefit Ford claims the EcoBoost technology has, allowing even the smaller-displacement engines to deliver significantly better fuel economy that the bigger displacement versions.

ford didn't offer information on what other engines will make their way to the sedan, but I assume we will see the 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the 2014 model as the base engine. This engine makes 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque/

Type

1.0-liter EcoBoost

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder

Horsepower (HP @ RPM)

100

160 @ 6,500

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

TBA

146 @ 4,450

Transmission

Six-Speed Transmission

Five-Speed Manual


Prices

Ford has yet to release pricing for the 2015 Focus Sedan, but it shouldn't be too far off from the $16,605 price of the base S Sedan and the $23,515 price for the Titanium Sedan.

Competition

Honda Civic

The Ford Focus Sedan belongs in a market where a couple of iconic heavyweights already belong in. Unfortunately for the Honda Civic, its recent run of ineptitude has really dampened its own expectations. The 2012 model, pegged as a next-generation offering, was an unmitigated disaster, forcing Honda to offer a refreshed model a year later. But even that failed to get some traction, so Honda again went for a revised look in 2014, steering the Civic towards a more masculine design that it should have carried in the first place.

Where the Civic gets a distinct advantage over the Focus Sedan is in the engine department. Unlike the latter opting to go the fuel efficient route, Honda retained its 1.8-liter, inline-four engine for the Civic, one that's capable of producing 143 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the Civic is also competitive to the Focus Sedan with the base Civic Sedan LX 5MT retailing for $18,390 all the way up to $24,240 for the EX-L Navi CVT.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla will always provide stiff competition in its market, in large part because of name recognition and consumer trust attached to that name.

In 2014, Toyota rolled out the new Corolla and the results were nothing short of spectacular. The more aggressive front section was a big improvement over its predecessor, and the interior also received plenty of new digs, expressed in decent materials with good fit and finish.

It’s powered by a 1.8-liter in-line four that makes enough power to move the car -- 140 horsepower in its sportiest form. Power is routed through either a six-speed manual or a CVT drone-box.

Starting price for the Corolla is $16,800 and grows to $21,300, which is also in the ball park on the price Ford is asking for the Focus Sedan.

Conclusion

Apart from the obvious competitive nature of its segment, the Ford Focus Sedan still has a lot to prove if it hopes toppling its more established rivals. The aesthetic changes on the front end should go a long way in gaining new customers, but even with that and the promise of excellent fuel efficiency, 100 horsepower isn't enough when you're dealing with cars like the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. Consider the Focus Sedan a good alternative, but as far as first choices are concerned, it's going to be a tough sell.