Focus on your inner-geek with Sync

The Ford Focus always handled way better than it needed to. With the redesigned 2008 model, it’s also pretty good value. The base model, the Focus S two-door, costs $14,695, which includes air conditioning and a full complement of airbags.

Power for all models (the other two are the SE and SES) comes from a 2.0-liter engine that kicks out 140 hp and 136lb-ft of torque yet still achieves a claimed 35mpg on the highway. The new model is 30 pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter and has three percent more horsepower.

All fine and worthy stuff. But the SES model (starting at $16,695) has the ability to bring out the inner geek. As standard equipment (or a $395 option on the $15,695 SE), this version has Sync. Developed in conjunction with Microsoft (an up and coming software firm, keep an eye on these guys), this new technology allows the driver to control a Bluetooth-equipped cell phone and assorted MP3 players (including the ubiquitous iPod) using voice commands. Received text messages can be read out by the system. It even understands those written in text-ese, like ‘C U L8R’.

Ford on the cutting edge—who’d have thought it?

--Colin Ryan