Over the past several years, domestic auto manufacturers have relinquished more and more of the market to reliable, sometimes sportier import competitors with their confidence-inspiring warranties and superior overall value. With the Focus, Ford has shown that the economy car market won’t be handed over quite so easily. That’s especially true with the updated 2005 Ford Focus, an attractive car that’s fun to drive, can be decked out with some very cool options, and is backed by an impressive five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Finally, an American car that that deserves the attention of traditional import shoppers.