The trouble with the compact segment at the moment is that virtually every car is excellent. Features, performance and quality are essentially identical from one compact to the next. Pricing is within a few hundred dollars each way, as well. As a compact car buyer, what should you do? That's simple: pick the flavour you like.

If you're a Ford buyer, then listen up. This Focus is one of those wonderful compacts, and the one I tested was the five-door model, a rarity in this segment.

At the moment, all Focus models have the 160 horsepower, direct-injection, 16 valve four cylinder engine, which is adequate in most driving situations, but if acceleration's your thing, you'll be left wanting. Having 160 horsepower used to be decent for a small car, but now however, compacts are pushing a lot of weight around. In the Focus' case, it's just over 1,300 kilograms, or 2,900 pounds. (Hot hatch buyers may want to hold out for the upcoming ST model, which will have nearly 250 hp as well as other performance enhancements.)

The model I tested was pleasantly equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, which made taking advantage of the available power easier than if the car had had the automatic. Transport Canada rates the five-speed Focus at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.5 highway. I averaged just under 10 L/100 km in mixed driving.

Behind the wheel, the Focus has excellent handling, a brake pedal that's a touch too soft for my liking and steering that's accurate, but with a ratio that's a little slow. What I don't care for is the feel of too much body roll. I'm sure it's exacerbated by the tall seating position, but the Focus sure does tip through corners like a ship being rolled in a wave. The Focus actually handles better than it feels though. The manual shifter is a little rubbery and not as precise as those found in the competition, but I'd still rather row this box than let the automatic do the work for me.

As I mentioned, you feel like you sit a little tall in the cockpit and I'd prefer some vertical adjustment in the driver's seat that would get me closer to the floor. The seat is comfortable, if on the softer side, but still supportive for long periods of time behind the wheel. Whether the numbers say it or not, you feel as if you have less space in the cockpit than you do in other compacts.

As with others in this segment, hard plastics abound throughout the cabin. The dash is styled in an unusual, tech-forward way and very unconventional for a North America compact.

The best feature about the Focus I tested is indeed the hatchback, which accomplishes two things. First, it adds some meaningful versatility for carrying cargo over the four-door model. You can simply fit larger items into the hatch than you can the four-door. Second, it lends a touch of European flavour to the Focus and differentiates it from the compact crowd. It's worth mentioning that the only other hatchbacks in the segment are Subaru Impreza (which also has all-wheel drive), the Kia Forte5 and Hyundai's Elantra Touring.

In terms of safety, there's a full complement of air bags - front, front seat and full curtain - for your protection. The now mandatory stability control is obviously standard, but the Focus has advanced braking technology with brake force distribution and Emergency Brake Assist in addition to standard ABS.

The Focus SE hatch starts at $17,399, which is the model I tested. The SEL, which comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a 110-watt sound system and heated front seats, for $19,899. 

One of the great things Ford is doing is putting optional luxury features - those previously unheard of in the compact segment - in their small cars. With the Focus Titanium model, you have your choice of 17- or 18-inch wheels, powered leather seats, Ford's Active Park Assist, parking sensors, navigation and premium leather, among other options. If a fully loaded compact is your thing, you can get it with the Focus, but it'll cost you just shy of $29,000.