Focus versus the upcoming 2012 Honda Civic or the current Mazda3.

No matter what buyers compare the Focus to, they will find an agreeably sporty machine that offers a fair amount of fuel-efficiency and high-tech features.

It's not perfect--what car is?--and the lower prices of the Elantra could hurt Focus sales. So, too, could lower gas prices (although recent Mideast political activity may drive prices up, not down). But to enthusiasts, that may not matter.

It's true the Focus is focused (pun intended again. I can't help myself) at buyers who prefer a little sporting flair. Ford could've gone mainstream as Chevy did with the Cruze and Hyundai did with the Elantra. Instead, the company is trying to balance fun-to-drive with mainstream practicality and fuel-economy.

At first glance, it appears the formula worked. This is one Focus I'd gladly like to see at the airport rental counter. Or on a canyon road on a clear day.

Coming Attraction: 247-Horsepower 2012/13 Focus ST

If the new 2012 Ford Focus doesn't quite have enough performance chops for you, hang in there for another year or so. That's when the higher-performance ST arrives.

Powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged four-cylinder that will make 247 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft., the ST will have a sportier suspension and more-aggressive grille work.

It will also have a large rear spoiler, available Recaro seats, a short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual transmission, performance gauges that will sit in the driver's line of sight, 19-inch wheels, and sportier interior trim. Ford will offer three trim packages.

There is no word on pricing, but a base price in the high $20K range seems reasonable. Ford is implying that this would be the top-line Focus, since a replacement of the high-performance output hasn't been announced yet. It's entirely possible that Europe could get an RS without it being sold in the United States. We'll just have to wait.

It's expected that the Ford Focus ST will launch at the beginning of 2012. When it does, expect Focus buyers who were waiting for more performance to step off of the sidelines and into the showroom.

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