More than a few hearts were broken when Ford announced plans to dramatically scale back its non-crossover and non-SUV lineups in the U.S. One of the casualties of that downsizing is the Ford Focus. Unfortunately, all but one version of the Focus are expected to be eliminated from the company’s U.S. lineup. That means that there’s a good chance that we can say goodbye to hatchback and sedan versions of the Focus. It's not likely, but the ST could also get the heave-ho as could the range-topping RS, which only arrived in the country in 2015. We barely knew it. The good news is that there is one version of the Focus that will, without a dout, remain in the U.S. It’s called the Focus Active, and it’s essentially a raised five-door hatchback with some semblance of a crossover.

The Ford Focus Active is essentially a crossover sized version of the next-generation Focus. It looks like the all-new Focus in a lot of ways. The model’s design cues are all present, including the new front grille and the new headlamps. The intakes are slightly bigger, but that’s largely a byproduct of having those extra black plastic cladding throughout the body. The cladding is one of the most notable exterior features of the Focus Active. It’s primarily there to give the car that crossover look.

It’s not an accident that the Focus Active also rides higher than all other versions of the Focus.

According to Ford, it has a 1.2-inch suspension lift, which contributes to its raised profile. It also has faux skid plates at the front and rear and interior trim pieces that Ford says helps make it more “rugged” and “textured.” Put them all together, and you’re going to see why the model is described as something of a half-and-half. It’s a hatchback that’s been raised to look like a crossover.

There’s a certain appeal in having a model that looks like this. Subaru has done well for itself with similar versions, including the XV and the Outback. Ford could have similar success with the Focus Active. It bodes well for the model that it’s the only version of the Focus that’s going to be sold in the U.S. But there’s also a part of the Focus Active that feels like Ford’s selling out the Focus. As successful as crossover sized hatchbacks have been, they’ll always suffer from an identity crisis, seemingly stuck between two segments.

Don’t expect Ford to be apologetic about it, though. There’s a reason why the Focus Active was chosen as the only version of the Focus that will be sold in the U.S. Ford wants to cater to the crossover market without having to give up the Focus name entirely in its home market. It’s a strategy that could pay off when it arrives as a production model next year. There’s no word yet on how much it’s going to cost, but the expectation is that it’ll sit above the Ford EcoSport, its spiritual cousin that comes with a price tag that starts at $20,995.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Focus.

Read our full review on the 2017 Ford Focus ST.

Read our full review on the 2017 Ford Focus RS.

Read more Ford news.