Would the 2022 Ford Focus still make sense in PH?

Ford gives the Focus an updated exterior and interior for 2022 model year

If there's one car that we sorely miss from Ford, it's the Focus. With the Blue Oval now focused on SUVs, crossovers, and pick-ups, the Focus was quietly discontinued from the local lineup.

Despite its absence in the Philippine market, the Ford Focus continues to find success in other markets like Europe and China. In fact, the fourth-generation model was recently given a facelift for the European market. But what exactly did Ford change on the hatchback for the 2022 model year?

Let's start with the exterior. It now gets redesigned LED headlights with integrated foglights for improved nighttime visibility. The grille and front bumper designs have been revised in order to give the Focus a sharper appearance. And depending on the variant, the grille finish varies for the Connected, Titanium, Active, and even the ST.

Unique only to the Focus ST is a new color called Mean Green. It's actually derived from the Fiesta ST and gives the hot hatch a fresh new look. It is then complemented by a set of new alloy wheels that further highlight the ST's sportier leanings.

Inside the 2022 Focus, pretty much everything remains the same. New, however, is a 13.2-inch touchscreen media display. It now runs on Ford's latest SYNC 4 infotainment system and supports wireless Apple CarPlay, as well as Android Auto. Due to the larger screen, the physical knobs and buttons for the automatic climate control were removed in favor of digital controls. Customers that adjusting their climate control via buttons might find this 

Under the hood, the 2022 Focus continues to be powered by a wide array of turbocharged engines. Beginning with the gasoline range, there's the 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost Hybrid that is available in two states of tune; 125 PS and 155 PS. Next is the standard 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost which can also be specified in two states of tune; 100 PS and 125 PS.

For those that still prefer an oil-burner, a 1.5-liter EcoBlue turbo-diesel can be specified for the Focus. It can produce either 95 PS or 120 PS, depending on customer preference. Last but not least is the Focus ST which comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four. It makes a whopping 280 PS which is more than enough to give the likes of the Honda Civic Type R a run for their money.

Available transmissions for the refreshed hatchback include a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and an eight-speed automatic.

With the Focus getting an update for the 2022 model year, is there any chance the Focus will make a return in the Philippines? Given that the market is now geared towards crossovers, pick-ups, and SUVs, it's highly unlikely. Still, it's nice to see that the hatchback is still around and present in other countries.