American auto companies have not kept up with the Asians in the area of small cars. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan and Kia all have well designed, easy to drive, sporty, fuel sipping, reliable small cars in the U.S. market place. The Ford Escort was not as good as the Asian cars, but it was inexpensive and popular. It was replaced in 1999 by the Focus and, while a distinct improvement, still lagged in many features. A few years ago Ford of Europe upgraded the European Focus with a revised suspension and many other improvements, yet for some inexplicable reason, Ford of USA failed to adopt these badly needed improvements. This year it is playing “catch up.”

Ford‘s are paying off with a quasi handsome modified shape, improved handling, a new engine and many new and innovative features. The 2008 Focus is powered by an all aluminum 2.0 liter, DOHC, 4-cylinder, 132 hp, PZEV engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission as an $815 option. This is a front-wheel drive car that handles quite well in snow and ice, which if we San Diegans ever stray from our delightful climate, might find useful.

The interior is fresh looking, although the materials look a little on the cheap side, reminding us this is not a Lexus. The instruments are modern and the dash layout is pleasant. The optional lighting for the controls can be changed to as many as seven colors, red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow. The seats feel comfortable and leg room is plentiful in the front for larger folks. Unique to this car is a “SYNC” system developed with Microsoft that features voice control and an input jack compatible with an MP3 player. Another option is a Sirius satellite radio with six months free listening.

Ford Focus

This is a nice driving car with remarkably agile handling and a pleasant ride for a small car. The handing is not as sporty as the Mazda 3, its cousin, but the Focus is a little cheaper. The cabin is quiet, except when traveling over rough roads, a problem for many cars in this price range.

The Focus is offered in six trims, the $14,300 base “S” coupe, the $14,600 base “S” sedan, the $15,130 intermediate “SE” coupe, the $15,490 “SE” sedan, the $16,475 top of the line “SES” coupe and the $16,835 “SES” sedan.

The “S” base car is frugally equipped with manual windows, door locks and side mirrors. At the “SES” level it transforms into a virtual luxury car, equipped with power windows, doors, mirrors, MP3 jack, steering wheel controls, fog lights, cruise control, electrochromic rearview mirror and CD player. Options include perimeter alarm system ($125), four-wheel anti-lock brakes ($385), AM/FM radio ($350) with a six-disc CD player (an audiophile system with speed-sensitive volume and subwoofer bumps the price to $645), Sirius radio ($195), ambient lighting system ($295), remote start system ($415), front dual heated leather seats ($810), electrochromic mirror with Homelink ($465) or with compass ($295), four-speed automatic transmission ($815), and a power moonroof ($625). An “SES” with all this equipment costs $21,600, a lot of money for a small car.

The “SE” is sort of in between the frugal “S” and the better equipped “SES.” The options for the “SE” are a deluxe package with lots of chrome and fog lights ($395), a driver‘s group , steering wheel mounted controls, leather steering wheel, electrochromic rear view mirror and cruise control ($415), a perimeter alarm system ($125), 4-wheel anti-lock brakes ($385), the same radio choices as the “SES,” fog lights ($355), SYNC voice activated communications system ($395), ambient interior lighting ($295), remote start system ($415), leather seats ($695), power moonroof ($625) and a 4-speed automatic transmission ($815). With all of these options a “SE” could cost $20,650.

The warranty is 36,000 miles or three years, with a power train warranty of six years or 60,000 miles.

The EPA fuel consumption is rated at 24city/35highway, OK for a small car.

The new Focus is a step forward for Ford, definitely the best small car the firm has produced for the U.S. market. Ford still needs another big step to equal or better its Asian competition. Aside from initial quality, which Ford seems to have mastered, the issue for the car is longevity, a place where its Asian counterparts star. So far, the Consumer Reports analyses of longevity, or reliability over the long haul suggests a long road before catching up with the likes of Honda and Toyota.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 59 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today‘s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.