2003 Ford Focus Wagon

If you travel around Europe, you'll notice the relative lack of sport-utility vehicles barreling down the autobahns and country roads. Because gasoline and diesel fuel cost between $3.25 and $4.00 per gallon in Europe, SUVs are both impractical and unpopular since most aren't fuel efficient enough for the average European buyer. That said, Europeans still require vehicles capable of transporting their families. Their solution to this transportation dilemma is the wagon. While the term "wagon" isn't very popular with U.S. car buyers these days (even though the cars are), small wagons have a very large and loyal following in Europe that only continues to grow. And, one of the best small wagons, no matter which continent you live on, is the Ford Focus—the best selling small car in the world.

Step up to the ZTW and you get a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, fog lamps and interior reading lamps.

The 2003 Focus family includes four distinct body styles: three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and the four-door wagon we drove for this review. Dimensionally, the wagon is identical to the sedan with the exception of being roughly 10 inches longer and 100 pounds heavier. Interior passenger space is the same for all four models and is adequate for even adults to ride comfortably in the rear seat. And with the rear seat folded down, there's 55.8 cubic feet of cargo space-enough for a large television box and more hauling room than the similar-sized Volkswagen Jetta Wagon.


The Focus Wagon is available in two trim levels-SE and ZTW. The base SE starts at $17,625 and includes important features such as power windows, door locks and mirrors, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. Step up to the ZTW and for just under $18,000, you get a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, fog lamps and interior reading lamps. New options for 2003 include the availability of heated front seats and mirrors ($150), a no-charge MP3 audio system, and a perimeter alarm system ($125). Carry-over add-ons include moonroof ($595), anti-lock brakes ($400) and sport package ($525) with alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and six-disc in-dash CD player.


Power for both the SE and ZTW wagons comes from the smooth-revving Zetec 2.0-liter I-4 engine. It features double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and produces a respectable 130-horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque. For 2003, this engine gets a new throttle body for improved throttle response, a new cylinder head that allows ignition spark timing to be increased and a reduced-back pressure exhaust system-all designed to improve engine efficiency. Despite its small size, this engine provides enough power to tow 1,000 pounds.

Power for both the SE and ZTW wagons comes from the smooth-revving Zetec 2.0-liter I-4 engine.

The Zetec is backed by a standard four-speed automatic transmission, while a five-speed manual transmission is optional. Instead of coming standard with a manual transmission and then charging extra for an automatic, Ford reduces the price of the Wagon by $815 if you opt for the manual. EPA gas mileage ratings are 26/34 (city/highway) for the manual and 25/31 (city/highway) for the automatic.