2004 Ford Focus Sedan

Launched for the 2000 model year as a stylish, European-inspired replacement for the subcompact Escort, the Ford Focus rapidly became one of the most popular cars in the world. It's also one of the most chameleon-like, with a varied set of personalities and virtues.

Top dog in the Focus sedan family is the ZTS with its rear spoiler and 16-inch wheels.

For 2004, the Focus family offers a herd of body styles (three-, four-, and five-door; hatchback, sedan and wagon), three engine-output levels, two transmissions, and three trim levels. Youthful in orientation, the Focus appeals to a diverse audience due to its enormous spectrum of model variations. All Focus models flaunt more styling flair than some of their small-car competitors, but the Focus sedans and station wagons are quite naturally more conservative in tone.


Built in Wayne, Michigan and Hermosillo, Mexico, alongside Focus wagons, the four-door sedans that are the focus (pardon the pun) of this article are available in three main flavors: LX, SE, and sporty ZTS. Across-the-board changes for the 2004 model year are modest. Heading the list is a new 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, which was introduced last year in select states as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). This year, it's available nationwide, but is standard in New York, California, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. Also new for 2004 are steering knuckles and struts for improved handling and ride.


Focus sedans are powered by 2.0- or 2.3-liter inline fours. The 145-hp DOHC PZEV-certified engine is standard in five states and an option in all others.


The 2.3-liter inline four produces 145 horsepower, while the 2.0-liter Zetec four is good for 130 hp. The standard engine on the base LX is the 2.0-liter split-port induction engine, which produces 110 horsepower. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission are available. (The base LX sedan is manual-shift only.)