2009 Ford Focus SE

The 2009 Focus is Ford's compact car, offered as a sedan or coupe, and it competes with the Civic and Corolla. It's nimble and easy to drive, with quick steering that makes it fun in the city, though it's not quick off the line. Inside, the Focus gives you a roomy trunk and a comfortable driver's seat, but rear legroom is tight and some plastics feel cheap. Owners report solid reliability and low maintenance costs, with occasional complaints about paint durability and interior rattles. Standard cloth seats and a basic audio system set the SE apart from the SES and SEL trims above it, which add nicer upholstery and more equipment. The 2.0L I4 makes 132 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque, and with the five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive it returns 28 mpg combined. The SE's standard suspension is tuned for comfort, so the ride stays composed on rough pavement, but it doesn't handle as sharply as the sportier SES.