Ninth Place

Ninth Place: 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST
Producing only 151 horsepower from a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder motor, the Ford Focus ZX4 ST landed at number nine on our list mainly because of its modest acceleration. We miss the more powerful SVT engine from last year, though the suspension from the old SVT Focus is installed in the ZX4 ST. Thanks to the five-speed manual transmission, the Focus ZX4 ST achieves mileage ratings of 22-mpg city and 31-mpg highway. But what makes this car most attractive is the low price of entry. Coming in at $18,765, the Focus ZX4 ST is one of the least expensive smile makers on our list.