The Ford Focus is a decent little car
1)It gets much better than average FE (by average I mean better than the average private use vehicle in the USA). CR got 17/ 33 with the 4 speed AT .This is a Mazda motor; apparently the 2007 gets a bit better FE?
2)It is fun to drive( for an economy car).
3)It does well in gov crash tests-not so well in the insurance side test( so you had better get the side airbags-the Prius also does poorly in this test without the side/side curtains).
4)It is cheap.You should be able to get a base model for $11,000, and a fancier one with side/side curtains for $14500 or so.The best you can get a new Prius(with side side curtains) or HCH 2 is about $22000(call it $19000 with TC).
5)It delivers average QC results according to CR-the REC. it.
Ford and Chevy are both joining the small car FE wars.The Aveo has improved FE for 2007.It is dirt cheap-a big plus(under $10,000 frequently).Ford doesn't have a tiny Aveo sized car yet(Yaris,Fit -155" 2400 lb cars).They need one.
The Focus is a good choice if you need to spend less than $14000 OTD.You can't buy a FIT for $14000 OTD(or a Yaris since the Toyo dealers are being Toyo dealers).The cheapest Fit(MT ) costs about $16000 OTD(8.75% tax), and the Yaris about $14500.You could buy a base Focus for $12000 OTD, and an Aveo for $10,000 OTD. Thanks.Charlie
PS-I am partial to Hondas, so I would probably spend the extra $$ and get the Fit, but the Focus(a hatch) would be a decent choice if I didn't have the extra $$.