Some Dutch reactions:
13 to the dozen design, the first Focus was the best. The rear lights are plain ugly, the nostrils squared.
The current one has a better exterior. It reminds me of the current one, but rounder. What have they done the the rear lights? I big miss. Interior has advanced, but doesn't convince me fully. HVAC operation looks difficult behind the gearstick.
I find this an odd product. Outside is tidy, rearlights are complex. Behind the wheel it's a funfair. A shame the outside doesn't match with the inside. I'm afraid this Ford will once again loose from the Golf and Astra.
Interior 'by KIA Sorento'. Exterior: Astra meets Focus meets Caliber. As the market dictates, so it will sell.
Very questionable, especially the rearlights and the grille are not okay.
Yikes! That dashboard ... I've never seen a KIA from the inside, but it probably looks like this. Too pitty.
Those rearlights don't match the car.
After Renault Ford does weird designs.
I simply like it. But I always liked Foci.
Not the first car ruined by a bad interior.
Pitty, I expected so much more. Typical Japanese interior and a non harmonious exterior.
Much Renault in this Ford. Those rearlights, disguisting.
I think it's an improvement. Exterior is less boring and interior has improved. Current version is boring and looks cheap with that silver center console. Looks like an Astra/Insignia interior, though.
Wow, something to get used to, think I like the sedan more than the hatchback (probably because of the rearlights).
SEAT Leon with a pinch of Lancia Delta. I think it's boring, like the Leon. What a shame, it used to be such a nice car. The first Focus that is.
I'm a huge Ford fan, but at first sight this car disappoints a little. The nose has similarities with the current Focus and I detect a bit of Kia styling. The rear is very striking and I didn't expect that from Ford. The dashboard is gorgeous, much better now. From the side the nose looks like that of a Mazda 3.
Hmmmm, I don't find it successful. A bit cheap and 'old fashioned'. Just like the previous one. Pitty.
Looks like an azian design. Take off the blue oval and you have a Kia or another Korean brand. I don't think this Focus will survive the battle against the rest. Especially the rearlights are fugly. The interior is too busy and looks 'cheap'. For me, a Focus driver for the last 12 years, they've gone too far. I had all versions of the Focus, but I will pass this one.
Quite a looker, except for the rear lights, that's a miss! A shame I have to wait for another year before it's for sale.
Front is okay, sedan is okay, but the rear of the hatchback is worthless.
Boring! I expected more than this. Don't the European versions get LEDs in the rear lights?
"World car"... Indeed I see American influences. To the detriment in this case. An absolute no-no are the fake grates. What a beauty it's predecessor was.
It disappoints me
What a bunch of whiners. I like the hatchback. A bit of Citroen C4 from both the side and rear. But that's also a nice looking car. Dashboard looks a bit like a Honda because of the (blue) ambient lightning.
Isn't it about time Ford improves on the dashboard design? The last couple of years it's getting too fancy, with various ambient colors and a center console that looks like a jukebox with blue lightning. Very messy.
So many people are whining about those rear lights. Simply a nice new Focus with nice rear lights.
Sedan is decent, hatchback isn't. The rear doesn't match with those rear lights.
Uneasy design, also inside. It disappoints me.
Interior is uneasy, but a sporty exterior. Good matching color.
Nice lines. They even managed to make the Focus sedan look long and stretched. What an overflow of lights, knobs, different colors and shapes on the dashboard. Looking at the pictures, I realise what an oasis of rest my mk1 is.
Ford dares, unlike some other brands.
Ugly! Those rear lights, that dashboard (did Kia help the ailing Ford a hand?) And the boring front and side... a weird monstrosity.
It's like a stretched Fiesta, which I don't like at all. A pitty this is. And daylight driving lights stolen from Audi.
The sedan now looks much better than the hatchback.
That doesn't look bad at all, the Golf now looks like a dated 80's model.
I needs some to get used to, especially compared to the current Focus. But I think it's cool!
It's not getting prettier.
Restless design, but I'm anxious to see it in the flesh. I think it will not disappoint.
Wow, that's a nice interior, if you like shiny hard plastics!
The Golf will remain unique, the others in this segment looks like they all come from the same factory.
I think we can honestly say that the new Focus design isn't innovating. While the 90s Focus was a trendsetter with 'New Edge' design, it now follows the smooth, timeless and fat design of the Opel Astra. Focus tries to be different with these rear lights, but after a year they will become incredibly boring. I rather have the reserved rear lights of the new Golf and Astra. And the nose: not enough unity, too many holes. Reminds me of a Kia C'eed. Even the interior reminds me of the new Astra, with a cockpit around the driver. But even more messy. Look at that ugly steering wheel. And a center console that sits againt your knees. Much depends on the driving characteristics. But everyone knows: Design is an ever important selling argument.
I'm glad that in 2 weeks I can trade my Focus for a Honda Civic and a) not drive a Focus again and b) doesn't have to wait for one. Because of the many Astra, Mazda 3, C4 and Korean influences.
..... Pfff..... a tough crowd here on the Dutch forum! Even worse than what you would usually find on LLN
Autoblogs audience is much more appreciative of the new Focus!
