2004 Ford Focus ZX5

Ford's Focus ZX3 hatchback is one of the pillars of the sport-compact segment. For the 2000 model year, the car gained two doors when the ZX5 joined the Focus family. This five-door enters its fifth season offering even more choices. The result is a vehicle that's more practical, popular and easier to personalize than ever before.

The ZX5 has a well-designed blend of curves and creases, of arching lines and triangular shapes.

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. The addition of Light Tundra paint to its exterior color palette should make the ZX5 even more distinctive. Other changes for 2004 include an across-the-model-line available 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, and new steering knuckles and struts for greater handling and performance.


Standard equipment includes an in-dash/6-disc CD changer (with an MP3 player), 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. The new Comfort and Premium levels allows ZX5 buyers even more flexibility to bundle options such as a moonroof, leather seats, traction control, antilock brakes and a new perimeter alarm system.


All Focus ZX5s come standard with a 130-horsepower/2.0-liter Zetech DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Its responsiveness was improved for 2003 thanks to a new throttle body, a new cylinder head that allows an increase in spark timing, reduced-load valve springs and a less-restrictive exhaust. The available 2.3-liter four produces 145 horsepower and is certified as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). Transmission choices are a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Other mechanicals include front MacPherson strut and rear Control Blade trailing-arm suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 10.1-inch front disc brakes and the aforementioned 16-inch alloy wheels.

Upper-trim-level Focuses now offer a silver instrument cluster and color-keyed accents.

Also available on the ZX5 is a choice of two traction-control systems. AdvanceTrac, Ford's "interactive vehicle dynamics system." This safety-intensive system uses 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. AdvanceTrac is bundled with the optional antilock brakes and 10-inch rear discs (instead of old-tech drums). To be really safe, you'll want the side-impact airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger. Fortunately, Focus models receive "good" (the highest) ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests.