2008 Ford Focus and 2008 Ford Kuga

Ford offered American and Canadian journalists a chance to drive the good compacts it cheated us out of here, based on the European Focus, during its deep dive Fiesta program in Europe. It was a chance to complain about the Focus with which we're stuck for two more model years, a Microsoft Sync system wrapped in awkward sheetmetal (which happens to be selling well, thanks to gas prices) while feeling good about Ford's future. Here's what I drove:

Focus TDCI: With 134 horsepower and 236 pound-feet, the 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel gives this c-segment compact decent acceleration. Its ride and handling aren't much different than the smaller Fiesta's, with fairly flat cornering and a smooth, comfortable ride. But the steering offers a bit more weight and better feel and feedback. As with the Fiesta, the power steering is electrically assisted in this car with this engine, so it's good to see how tunable it is. There were two TDCIs available to drive; one with a Getrag six-speed manual, the other with the new Getrag Ford Powershift, an electronically controlled six-speed double wet-clutch with dual driveshafts. While the latter is a decent transmission, and likely to find itself as an alternative to conventional manuals and automatics in the '11 Focus and '11 Fiesta, it feels more manumatic than automated manual. It upshifts for you when you hit the rev limiter, and it's operated via the floor-mounted shifter - no paddle-shifters, which surely are coming for the next-generation Focus ST. One hint: if you can do without Sync, but can't wait for the '11 Focus in the U.S., this car has the same underpinnings as the Mazda3 and Volvo C30/S40/V50. The Mazda3 is worth it. The Mark II Euro Focus is the car our 2000 Focus promised.