Materials Quality

Frequently, cheap cars are made of cheap materials, so the hard plastic surfaces inside the Ford Focus aren't surprising. Trouble is, models like the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa are proving that cheap cars don't necessarily mean cheap materials, which puts the Ford Focus at a competitive disadvantage. We're not sure we see the point of spending extra for leather in a set of budget wheels, but the hides in our test car were decent enough with a low-gloss sheen and subdued grain. At least the plastic on the dashboard and door panels displayed a matte finish and a pleasing pattern. Also to its credit, many of the Focus's controls have a refined, substantial feel – such as the radio buttons and the climate knobs – but the overhead console is the epitome of cost cutting, and should be tossed into a trash bin where it belongs.