The only 0 to 100 km/h figure I could find for the Focus 1.0L EcoBoost was the factory figure for the European version (with identical horsepower): 11.1 seconds. That’s about 1.5 seconds slower than a Focus 2.0L sedan, according to Consumer Reports.

The six-speed manual transmission is easy to shift from gear to gear – although shift lengths are a tad long – and the Focus’s ergonomically-shaped shift knob fits perfectly in the palm of the right hand. Clutch pedal effort is moderate and I didn’t find it tiresome in stop-and-go traffic. The clutch take-up point is high and the transmission engages without any vibration or jerking unless the engine isn’t revved high enough in which case there can be some lurching. To shift into Reverse, the driver has to pull up the release lever under the knob, and move to the left and up.

The Focus is known for its balanced and forgiving handling but I was also impressed with its comfortable ride, solid, squeak-free suspension, and quiet cabin. For 2015, Ford has massaged the shock absorbers and rear suspension to reduce noise and improve steering control. The changes add up to a very pleasant freeway driving experience and a jarr-free ride over poorly kept road surfaces. Though it doesn’t have the sharp handling of the Focus ST, the 2015 Focus SE Sedan provides a nice balance of handling and ride that emphasizes comfort over performance – a combination likely preferred by 90 percent of Focus owners.

My test car was equipped with 215/50R17-inch General Altimax Arctic winter tires which, despite their aggressive tread, weren’t particularly noisy on dry roads and offered good traction during the heavy downpours typical of Vancouver’s spring weather.

Driver visibility in all directions is quite good, assisted by a third side window for shoulder checks, and a low centre rear head restraint that doesn’t impede the rear view. Unusually, the wipers wipe from the centre outwards but they clear the windscreen well and include a variable intermittent setting. All Focus models have small convex mirrors built into the side mirrors that show a wider view of the area beside the car and all 2015 Focus models now include a rear-view camera that, despite the small size of the standard dash screen, provides a good view of the area behind the car when backing up. My car also had the optional parking sensors ($350) that beep more frequently the closer you get to a solid object behind the car.

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