When it was first released, the Ford Focus had a polarizing effect on car buyers. Some were attracted to its edgy styling, others thought it had been hit with the ugly stick a few too many times. And let’s be honest, personality only goes so far if your face makes people cringe. But, despite the controversial looks, the Focus has been a big hit for Ford.

For 2005, the Ford Focus has a fresh exterior design, with an overall look that is simple, understated, and borders on classy. The large, angular headlights have been replaced with lenses that are less pronounced and give the front end a cleaner appearance, while bulbous fender and quarter panel flares have been made more subtle. Front and rear roof pillars are relatively thin and the rear seats lack headrests, so outward visibility is decent all around. Though they look sleek, the size and position of the exterior sideview mirrors limit rearward visibility. Larger mirrors would be a welcome addition.

From a distance, our ZX4 ST test vehicle was easy on the eyes, dressed up with sharp 16-inch alloy wheels and a body-color rear spoiler. However, a close-up view exposed a few problems, including a misaligned hood and doors. The small decklid opens wide, exposing 14.8 cubic feet of cargo volume, though the Sony sound system’s subwoofer took up a good chunk of that space.