Everyone loves the environment, but many wince when they have to give up too much fun, fashion or funds to help preserve the planet. The sporty, economical, clean 2010 Ford Focus Coupe breaks the compromises. The two-door Ford Focus Coupe allows you to look good and enjoy driving without spending a lot of money or overstressing the environment.

Focus Value
The Focus Coupe starts at just $17,570 including destination and delivery. The standard Duratec 2.0L I4 engine with 5-speed manual transmission is rated at 35 miles per gallon in the government's highway test. The Focus Coupe's four-cylinder engine makes a strong 140 horsepower and its sports-flavored suspension makes assertive back-road driving very entertaining. For the states that follow California's emission specs, the Focus gets a slightly different engine calibration that meets Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) standards: Ford says it's about as clean as some hybrid gas-electric vehicles. The PZEV engine produces 136 horsepower, 133 lb.-ft. torque and EPA rated 24 city and 35 miles on the highway.

It's been said all environmental concerns are local. Certainly, all economic concerns are local or, at least, national: The fact that the Focus is made in the Wayne, Michigan Assembly Plant means this car helps the United States stay strong. The same can't be said about its opposition from Asia and Europe. The Focus also comes in a four-door sedan model, but for this article we're focusing (pardon the pun) on the two-door coupe. The Focus Coupe is available in two trim levels: the sporty SE and the well-equipped SES. Both are available with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

Styling and Features
The Ford Focus Coupe features aggressive-looking front styling and, depending on the version, a rear deck or high mounted roof spoiler. Most important for many, attractive 16-inch aluminum wheels on SE and 17-inch-diameter aluminum wheels are standard on SES series. Compared to the sedan, the Focus Coupe has a more assertive, "throatier" tuned exhaust note when paired with the 5-speed manual transmission. Compared to the Focus Sedan, the Focus Coupe has a stiffer, more-aggressive suspension. This means the Focus Coupe trades ride comfort for handling acumen. It's your choice: fast or comfy.

Changes for 2010 are limited, but significant. Important safety features—AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes—are standard. Other new coupe standards include perimeter alarm, remote keyless entry with trunk release and power door locks. Ford's SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system now has 911 Assist™ in the event of airbag deployment caused by an accident. SYNC also comes equipped with a GPS-based navigation system that supplies traffic reports to help the driver avoid accidents, gives driving directions and notifies the driver with vehicle health report service needs. The top-level sound system features 190 watts of power, nine speakers and CD/MP3 capability. The Focus Coupe comes with a six-month subscription to SIRIUS® satellite radio available in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.

More Safety
One new standard Focus feature called MyKey™ will likely be abhorred by some teenagers, which means it's a good thing. Designed to help keep novice drivers safe, The MyKey™ system allows parents to program the car so that the sound system doesn't work unless the safety belts are buckled: More than 2,000 unbelted teenagers die in car crashes each year. And statistics suggest that if a teenage embraces one risky behavior, such as not wearing a safety belt, they engage in others, such as speeding, carrying too many passengers and driving intoxicated. The MyKey™ works through a computer chip in the designated ignition key. MyKey™ allows speed alert chimes to be set to alert at 45, 55 or 65 mph, while top speed can be limited to 80 mph.

Crash test results for the 2010 Focus Coupe weren't available as this was written, but the 2009 model earned five out of five stars in the government's test for frontal driver and passenger impacts and three out of five for side driver impact and side rear passenger impact. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Focus its highest grade—Good—for frontal impacts and rated it Acceptable for side impacts.

With a 35 miles per gallon rating, affordable purchase price, impressive safety and some cool new features, the made in America Ford Focus Coupe is more than worth serious consideration.