I really love Ford's new sedan design theme.

[sportyaccordy]

Am I crazy or are the Focus and Fusion the best looking mainstreamers on the market right now?

Pictures don't do them justice. In the flesh, everytime I see one I want one. I never ever ever thought the day would come that Ford would make desirable mainstream sedans. I would rock the shit out of either car if I could have a project funmobile on the side.

[nickdrinkwater]

You're crazy about the Focus, it looks like shit.  And yes, I have seen it in person.

I've only seen the old shape Fusion but I thought it was pretty smart.  However, the Mondeo is a better looking car.

[r0tor]

the new fusion is very attractive
i'm also a fan of the Edge SUV
and their trucks have awesome interiors

[giant_mtb]

The Fusion is awesome-looking.  The Focus?  Bleh.  I think it's pretty damn ugly.

[mzziaz]

And the Euro lineup is top notch too.

Focus is at least on par with the segment
Mondeo and Fiesta are segment leaders, imo.

[nickdrinkwater]

And the Euro lineup is top notch too.

Focus is at least on par with the segment
Mondeo and Fiesta are segment leaders, imo.

The new KA is awful but otherwise I agree.

[Raza]

The current US Focus is fucking disgusting. 

[Madman]

Am I crazy or are the Focus and Fusion the best looking mainstreamers on the market right now?

The Focus?  You mean THIS Focus?



You're kidding, right?


I think you need the services of this company........

http://www.eyemasters.com/



Cheers,
Madman of the People

[ifcar]

I still don't like the rear end of the Fusion. It was weak when they started and, and while they improved the too-big bumper and lost the clear taillights, it's now too busy back there. The rest looks nice, but nothing outstanding. And while I don't find the Focus offensive to look at, I'd never consider it great-looking.

[AutobahnSHO]

The current US Focus is fucking disgusting. 

Raza ftFAIL

It looks sportier, doesn't look like a tiny econocar, and has some nice edges to it.

[SVT666]

The current Focus isn't ugly, but it certainly isn't attractive.  The first gen Focus is still the best looking hatch ever made for the US market IMO.  The new Fusion on the other hand is very attractive.  It's probably the best looking midsize sedan on the market.

[GoCougs]

Yes, sporty you are crazy - at best average overall - Focus below average, Fusion average, Taurus above average.

[cawimmer430]

The new Taurus looks pretty good. 

[CALL_911]

The Focus is hideous, at best. The Fusion doesn't look bad, neither does the Taurus.


But they're far from the best looking mainstreamers on the market. I think that honor goes to Mazda or VW.

[SVT666]

The Focus is hideous, at best. The Fusion doesn't look bad, neither does the Taurus.


But they're far from the best looking mainstreamers on the market. I think that honor goes to Mazda or VW.

Mazda has taken a few steps back with this new generation of cars.

[nickdrinkwater]

Mazda has taken a few steps back with this new generation of cars.

Howso?  The 2 is lighter and better driving than its predecessor and although its early, sales seem to be better too.

The 6 is a day and night improvement IMO.  It's classy, and being based on the Mondeo means it is also very good dynamically.  Yes, quality could be improved but it has taken a step forward from the previous 6 in that regard.

I've not seen any in depth comparison with the 3, but again it seems promising.  Although the grille is controversial and disliked by many, it is still more attractive than the old 3 and I wouldn't be surprised if it sold more cars.

The only weak(ish) category for Mazda is SUVs.  We don't have the large CX-9 here but the smaller CX-7 sells in small numbers - it has a thirsty engine and you know we don't like those.  That said, it's a step forward over the previous Tribute which was a non-event.

Finally, the MX-5 is heralded by many as one of the best drivers' cars around.  What's more, although it's available with a hardtop they haven't given in totally, so that soft-top is still available.

I think Mazda is doing quite well.

[The Pirate]

Howso?  The 2 is lighter and better driving than its predecessor and although its early, sales seem to be better too.

The 6 is a day and night improvement IMO.  It's classy, and being based on the Mondeo means it is also very good dynamically.  Yes, quality could be improved but it has taken a step forward from the previous 6 in that regard.

I've not seen any in depth comparison with the 3, but again it seems promising.  Although the grille is controversial and disliked by many, it is still more attractive than the old 3 and I wouldn't be surprised if it sold more cars.

The only weak(ish) category for Mazda is SUVs.  We don't have the large CX-9 here but the smaller CX-7 sells in small numbers - it has a thirsty engine and you know we don't like those.  That said, it's a step forward over the previous Tribute which was a non-event.

Finally, the MX-5 is heralded by many as one of the best drivers' cars around.  What's more, although it's available with a hardtop they haven't given in totally, so that soft-top is still available.

I think Mazda is doing quite well.

I think Hemi is speaking in terms of styling only.  Both the new Mazda3 and Mazda6 are a step backwards in styling, IMO.

[Raza]

Raza ftFAIL

It looks sportier, doesn't look like a tiny econocar, and has some nice edges to it.

It looks like it was put together by retarded toddlers with too much chrome available to them.

[Vinsanity]

I think Hemi is speaking in terms of styling only.  Both the new Mazda3 and Mazda6 are a step backwards in styling, IMO.

I think the Mazda 6 is the best-looking midsize mainstreamer The old one looked nice, but played it safe. I like that they were more daring this time around.

[ChrisV]

Hmm. I actually kind of like the new Focus, though not in this color:



The blue is better, but it needs some brighter wheels and less 4x4 action...

 

For it's segment, it's pretty decent looking. Yeah, I prefer the Euro one, but it's a moot point I guess.

[sportyaccordy]

Raza ftFAIL

It looks sportier, doesn't look like a tiny econocar, and has some nice edges to it.

Thx

Seriously I could go thru all the brands
Honda - Civ + Accord are not pretty but not offensive.
Toyota - Corolla + Camry only look good in sporting guise.
Nissan - ugly.
Mazda - not ugly ugly but just ugly.
Mitsubishi - Lancer looks good.
GM - ugly except for the Malibu.
VW - upscale feel but not necessarily pretty.

Pics of the Focus online don't do it good because the cars are unloaded. In real life they have much more reasonable wheel gap (close to none) and def. don't have that ridiculous slab sided feel. Plus all the chrome little details really upgrade the look. If they loaded one up with a V6 it would be a fun little rocket. But even as they are, w/only 2700# and 140HP I wouldn't call them slow cars.

Every 09+ Fusion I've seen, even base models, look great. The details are just perfect; especially on that front end. The interior is bleh but is a little better with the right colors and navigation.

No other mainstreamers out elicit this kind of reaction from me. And I def see all of them by the truckload out here. If they just had some more sporting versions available... a Focus w/a 200HP version of the 2.5 4 banger or an Ecoboost AWD Fusion, we could start talking.

[2o6]

The Focus is hideous, at best. The Fusion doesn't look bad, neither does the Taurus.


But they're far from the best looking mainstreamers on the market. I think that honor goes to Mazda or VW.

I don't think new VW's look very good. The Latest Golf is lazy, the old one was bland. The Jetta is oddly proportioned. I like the Passat, and the Passat CC, though.


The VW's from MKIV Jetta era look great, IMO.

[Cookie Monster]

The Focus coupe is nice.

The sedan is terrible.

[sportyaccordy]

I don't think new VW's look very good. The Latest Golf is lazy, the old one was bland. The Jetta is oddly proportioned. I like the Passat, and the Passat CC, though.


The VW's from MKIV Jetta era look great, IMO.

The MKV GTI looks good when the whole car gets painted. MKIV VWs look bad in comparison to MKIII ones (w/the exception of the Passat... but even that looks strange to me)

The Passat CC is a very nice looking car... but not what I'd consider mainstream.

[2o6]

The Focus coupe is nice.

The sedan is terrible.

I think the opposite. The Focus coupe is dumb since it's simply a two-door Focus. Nothing has been done to the roof line.

[sportyaccordy]

I think the opposite. The Focus coupe is dumb since it's simply a two-door Focus. Nothing has been done to the roof line.

Yea it's not sporty at all. I agree. Very lazy effort.

[MX793]

I actually think the Focus sedan is decent looking.  The profile is quite good.  The coupe's proportions are a little off, IMO, but the sedan is about spot on.  What really ruins the current US Focus are the ugly grille and headlights and the chrome side gills, which I believe have been shown the door already.

[Raza]

Well, I think it's obvious that I like the A4, A5, B5, and even B6 VW cars. 

[Vinsanity]

I agree with Sporty on the VW's; the Passat looks upscale, but very bland. The CC looks gorgeous in real life, but it's quite a step up from the mainstreamers. I'd put the Maxima in the same boat as the CC (although it's not as pretty, it does look much nicer in real life than in pics)

[AutobahnSHO]

It looks like it was put together by retarded toddlers with too much chrome available to them.

Nice.