2002 Ford Focus ZX5

Ford's Focus ZX3 has been a very popular two-door hatchback. For the 2002 model year, it becomes as practical as it has been popular with the introduction of the Focus ZX5 model, which has two additional doors to enhance access to the back seat and cargo area.

Five-door wagons have become immensely popular. The Focus ZX5 enters the fray, sporting distinctive bodylines and affordable pricing.

The ZX5 is the newest version of Ford's entry-level vehicle that won North American Car of the Year honors when it was introduced as a 2000 model. Like the ZX3, the ZX5 has a well-designed blend of curves and creases, of arching lines and triangular shapes. In other words, it's eye-catching.


Standard equipment includes an in-dash six-CD changer, fog lamps, power locks/windows/mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, tilt and telescoping steering wheels, height-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, variable windshield wipers and an anti-theft system.


Mechanical equipment includes a 130-horsepower/2.0-liter Zetech four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, front MacPherson strut and rear Control Blade trailing-arm suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 10.1-inch front disc brakes and 16-inch alloy wheels. On our test car, those wheels carried 205/50R16 mud- and snow-rated Firestone Firehawk GTA 02 tires.

Ford's 2.0-liter Zetech 4-banger puts out 130 horsepower. The ZX5's standard 5-speed transmission helps the engine achieve its full potential.

Also available on the ZX5 is AdvanceTrac, Ford's "interactive vehicle dynamics system," although it seems strange that Ford offers an option that represents more than 10 percent of the car's base price. Sure, the additional margin of safety provided by AdvanceTrac is worth any price, but how many buyers of entry-level transportation will want to—or be able to—add $1,625 to the vehicle's bottom line, even if it does include antilock brakes (otherwise a $400 stand-alone option), 10-inch rear disc brakes (instead of old-tech drums) and traction control? In its defense, this aerospace technology monitors such things as steering-wheel angle, throttle and brake position and the vehicle's directional response, then makes adjustments automatically to help keep the car from spinning out of control.