With four trim models starting under $18,000 (the S model starting under $15,000) the front wheel drive 2009 Ford Focus is competitive on price. SE, SES and SEL are each a step up, but all very reasonable. At 24 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway, it holds the line on gas mileage as well. Economy is not hurt by the warranty, which is competitive, if not outstanding. And to protect your investment further, Ford throws in a standard theft-deterrent system.

Economy is what drives the Focus. This is a car with a limited audience. First time drivers, college students, new families, or established families needing a dependable, but cheap, second car will find the Focus interesting.

But economy only goes so far. No matter what you pay for a car, you want to feel safe inside. That's always a challenge for small cars, but the Focus answers adequately. For one thing, dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags and a built in tire-pressure monitor are all standard.

New for this year is an available antiskid system, as a part of the available antilock braking system, which includes traction control. The Focus gets mostly fours and fives (out of five) on the NHTSA crash tests. It's not a tank, but for the money it is a solid safety investment.

Competition for the Focus includes the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliber, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, among others. The 2009 Focus is among the shaper looking compacts with its wrap-around front, beltline reminiscent of the Mustang and aerodynamic rear. Likewise, the inside seems well laid out, with an instrument panel that's easier to read than most and seating for five (four comfortably).

The list of standard features on the Focus is sure the please the younger set, who, after all, will make up the majority of its drivers. It includes a tilt wheel, tachometer, cd/mp3 player, rear window defogger and split folding rear seat. Available features also likely to please younger drivers include heated power mirrors, power sunroof, rear spoiler, alloy wheels, compass, wireless cell phone link, IPod adaptor and rear spoiler.

The 2009 Focus comes with a two-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpms. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but a four-speed automatic is available. Here is the biggest weakness of the Focus. Ratings for acceleration lag well behind most other cars in its class, affecting both pleasure and safety, especially in city traffic.

So what's the final verdict on the 2009 Ford Focus? The truth is, with the exception of the best looks in its class, there's nothing really outstanding about this car, but it is solid everywhere except acceleration. And acceleration might not be a real issue if you are buying the car for a teenager or college student. Would I buy this car for my kid? I would certainly give it a good look. For the money I think it's a solid investment.